Hong Kong 2nd in championship after beating S. Korea
HONG KONG: Hong Kong secured second place in the Asia Rugby Championship for a third consecutive year with a 41-15 win over South Korea on Saturday.
Winger Ryan Meacheam scored tries either side of half- time at Hong Kong Football Club, while fly-half Ben Rimene contributed 21 points following a perfect kicking display and a try of his own for the hosts.
Japan had sealed title with a 5917 win over Hong Kong last week, but Leigh Jones’ side followed up last month’s 34- 27 victory over South Korea in Incheon to take second place following an errorstrewn display from the visitors.
South Korea had taken an early lead as centre Lee Soop-yeong scored in the corner only for Rimene to level the scores after 10 minutes with a superb solo try.
Rimene’s penalty took Hong Kong into the lead for the first time, but South Korea found a quick response as hooker Kim Ming-yu converted from close range as the hosts were eventually punished for collapsing a scrum in midfield.
The see-saw nature of the contest continued though, as Toby Fenn broke clear to score under the posts for Hong Kong before the hosts finally opened up a 24-15 lead at the break as Meacheam rounded off a break from deep inside South Korea territory.
Meacheam extended Hong Kong’s advantage with another at the start of the second half, and despite the yellow card for Lex Kaleca inside the final 20 minutes following a dangerous tackle, the hosts secured the victory with James Robinson’s late try as South Korea faded in the closing stages.
“I think the score flattered us, that was a tough test. Korea came here and fought for everything,” said Hong Kong coach Jones.
“I have said all campaign that if we can get a set-piece to function we can cause a threat to any team and I think our set-piece improved today and gave us a platform.
“And also we just took our opportunities, all credit to the guys behind the scrum, they took their half chances and made them into something.” — AFP