No complacency for Club, more sting for Scorps

Friday night is here again, which can only mean one thing - tomorrow is Saturday, the day consecrated to rugby and beer (preferably in that order).

Club, unbeaten and 14 points clear of Valley at the top of Division One, will play HKCC at the Football Club, kicking off at the usual time of 6pm. Club are without Nigel Hobler, Dan Parr and Andrew Chambers this weekend, bringing Pat Foreman, Callum Nieto and your correspondent into the side. 'Big' Tim Robinson (the lock), thereby distinguised from 'Little' Tim Robinson (the winger), marks his return to Hong Kong rugby by making the Club bench (after playing for Drags). Jared Smith makes his starting debut at openside for the injured Rory Hussey, while Kris Marin returns to replace Rob Mills, also injured, at number eight.

With no other side having any realistic hope of catching Club in the league phase of the season, they will have to be sure to maintain the levels of intensity and determination that have carried them this far. Aberdeen may not be able to win the league, but Club remain the ultimate scalp in this division and you can be sure their opponents will come out with tomahawks in hand.

In Division Two, it's a 3pm Club derby for two teams with contrasting fortunes. Dragons have been in effervescent form, with a powerful set of forwards that have dominated every pack they have encountered, and a lightning backline. Plus they have Phil Reid. Scorpions, on the other hand, are having a miserable season. Last year's Division Two Grand Champions are languishing at the bottom of the table this year, with just one win (that remarkable 28-22 fightback win over Valley on 6 October). Scorps will know that they badly need to show some spirit and aggression to restore a sense of pride in their season. But what better occasion to start a turnaround than against their Clubmates from Drags? Scorps will need to dig deep but they can challenge here if they come in with the right attitude and get off to a good start.

It's a similar story in Division Two, where Select bestride the table like a colossus, while Sequins bring up the rear. Sadly, no-one tells me anything about these teams so I can provide no further illumination. Animal's back hair could have fallen out and Sam Cooper could have become anorexic for all I know... In any case, Select's game against SJM Macau has been postponed while Sequins will take on the Kowloon Pussies at So Kon Po. If someone would like to tell me what happens in that game, I'd be much obliged.

Also... PLEASE TAKE SOME BL*ODY PHOTOS AND SEND THEM TO ME SO I CAN PUT THEM UP ON THIS BLOG. Send them to adam.harper@asia.ing.com

I'm off for a quiet dinner and an early night after something of a night of it with Nick 'Jamesy' James & co last night. Bring on tomorrow!

Harps


Club v HKCC, 6pm, HKFC

1. Adam Harper
2.Tom Cameron
3. Peter Spizzirri
4. Tim Griffin
5. Angus Washington
6. Tim Edgar
7. Jared Smith (AQ)
8. Kris Marin

9. Peter McKee
10. James Kibble
11. Pat Foreman
12. Richard Rouse (c)
13. Nigel D'Acre
14. Callum Nieto
15. Mike McKee (AQ)

Replacements:

Damian Babis
Ben Stobart
Tim Robinson (BIG)
Adam Raby (AQ)
Ed Johnson
Tim Robinson

Drags v Scorps. 3pm, HKFC

1. Rob Naylor
2. Ben Stobart
3. Damien Babis
4. Peyton Burnett
5. Tim Robinson (Big)
6. Shannon Ford
7. Rob Hewitson
8. Steve Mathews
9. Phil Reid ( C)

10. Robin Bredbury
11. Ed Johnston
12. Simon Shoebridge
13. Tim Robinson (not so Big)
14. Adam Raby
15. Ed Cosgrove

Replacements:

Ben Harris
Ben Michael
Andy Walters
Troy Hogan
Romain Perret
Diarmuid Kinsella

Dragons slay Knights

Another inimitable writeup from Murray Sargant, Manager, Dragons

Drags Vs Valley Knights
10th November 2007, HKFC 3:00pm

A resounding 49 - 12 victory against one of the better teams in the competition.

Well led from the front by our latest captain Phil Reid, the team went about a great display in the first 40 min with well-structured and aggressive forward play allied with some impressive tries from our fleet-footed backs.

First half tries to Callum Nieto, Adam Raby (twice), Dinks (what???) and a penalty for Pat Foreman made it one of the best halves of the year for Drags to date.

The forwards dominated the first half line outs after their extra training session on Thursday evening, which clearly paid off well. Thanks to CJ for running the session. The back row with Rupert (Churchy), Jared and Shannon all played well, with 'Jarhead' deservingly earning another man of the match performance after an unusually democratic team vote. A worthy winner of the Stevie Speirs Mug (more on this award later).

The second half started the same way with tries to Peyton Burnett, Tim Robinson and a second try in as many games for Shannon Ford.

The backs played impressively throughout the game with Phil, Robin, Pat, Tim, Cozzie, Callum and Adam combining well. The extra speed out wide was put to good use and the backline always looked dangerous with ball in hand. Pat had a great game with some strong running and solid defence. He completed the day in style by preventing a late try from Valley with a great run across the field to put in a superb covering tackle just before time. A great effort given it was late in the game and everyone was running out of gas.

In the last 10 minutes of the second half, Drags did begin to get tired and started to lose the structure that had served so well in the first 70 minutes. Valley took advantage and managed to get a late consolation try from broken play.

Stevie Speirs Mug

For those not aware this mug was established to commemorate the late Stevie Speirs who was the regular Drags hooker. Unfortunately Stevie was tragically killed in the Bali bombing while on tour with HKFC Vandals . The pewter mug is now awarded each week to the player voted by his team mates to be the best and fairest on the day. The nominated player can then have the mug all night and at no time should it be empty. All drags team players and friends are obliged to keep the mug full for the rest of the evening. The nominated player can also at anytime hand the mug to any other team mate who must drink the contents. At the end of the night the mug should be returned behind the bar ready for next week's game.

Well done Jared on winning the Stevie Speirs Mug. Sorry you couldn’t enjoy it straight away as I know you benched and played well for Club later.

See you all at training Monday night. Congratulations once again on a great Drags win.

Meet the New Lads #1

Afternoon

You've seen them around, you probably bought them drinks before their membership cards arrived, but you might not know much about them. Allow the Blog to present everything you need to know about this season's new lads, starting with Jared Smith.

Name: Jared Smith
Age: 25
Occupation: Solicitor
Nationality: British - born in Hong Kong (Did you know that Q? My goodness, he's AQ)
Position: Open-side
Previous rugby clubs: Cambridge University, Haywards Heath, Nottingham Moderns, Old Haberdashs' among others
Favourite things about HKFC rugby: Bundy and coke
One thing you would change or introduce: cheerleaders at games
SoHo or LKF? LKF - you always have to have vodka jelly close to hand in case of emergency
Drop or Mes Amis? Mes Amis - trying to avoid detection for getting free drinks on from the girls on ladies night keeps you on your toes
Skiing or diving? skiing - have you ever heard of apres-dive?
Reading or music? music - you cant make shapes to books
Paris Hilton or Scarlett Johansen? Scarlett - its all in the lips....