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World Rugby U20 Trophy Final Results:
MATCH REPORT: HONG KONG CHINA 34-14 KENYA
Hong Kong China U20s finished the World Rugby U20 Trophy 2024 in 7th place thanks to a convincing 34-14 win over Kenya at Hive Stadium on Wednesday 17 July 2024. The victory was well deserved as the entire squad put in a performance to be proud of.
Head Coach Joe Barker said, “Credit to the forwards, they put in a big shift and Assistant Coaches Lewis (Wilson) and Alex (Allan) put in a lot of work in the background knowing we could take them on.
“We realised at half-time that what we were trying to achieve was working, there were just a couple of things that we needed to tweak. The halftime message was to play in their half and focus on our set piece. The boys definitely listened and that message paid off.”
FANTASTIC ATTACKING PLAY IN OPENING HALF
Hong Kong China kicked off the match and in the opening few minutes maintained a good tempo and structure, however their hard work was undone by an opening interception Kenyan try from their own 5-metre line for the African side to lead 7-0.
Hong Kong China responded well despite the setback and were quick to test the Kenyan defences on either flank with the centre of the field seeing good hands and short pop passes. It was a good test of character as the Hong Kong China side played themselves into a commanding position despite conceding the early score.
A stolen ball from a Kenyan knock-on and a looping pass put left wing Matthew Rickard over to score but it was adjudged to be a forward pass. Another excellent attack down the left placed pressure on the Kenya defence but the execution was lacking when it mattered.
There were good runs by prop David Bennet, who was punching holes in the defence, and the side was dominating territory but again Kenya sucker-punched as they took a quick tap followed by a good offload to score a second try and led 14-0 after 10 minutes.
Hong Kong China’s pack was showing signs of dominance and was getting a good advantage from the attacking lineout.
An excellent driving maul resulted in hooker Ben Sheldon scoring shortly after to make it 14-5. This was followed up by a fantastic try from their own 22m as the scrum held and centre James Kee showed blistering pace to score after evading several defenders and Rickard added the conversion - the reaction at try time from his teammates showed what it meant for the boys.
The team showed great resilience and heart to turn it around but a couple of near interceptions from flat and unnecessary passes kept them on their toes.
Centre Marcus D’Acre nearly added another excellent score with a great run as the solid scrums were laying a good platform to attack from and the forwards as a pack were disrupting Kenya.
Just before the half-hour mark, Hong Kong China took the lead deservedly for the first time as they attacked down the right with a break from Horberry and a pass to Kee before the ball found right-wing Hassan Lin scoring an unconverted try and a lead of 17-14.
As the team built in confidence, they were also turning the ball over and earning vital possession. A dangerous tackle by Kenya’s number #8 earned him a yellow card and Hong Kong China looked to add points before the half.
The lineout was functioning well and racking up penalties - after several phases of attacks - a team warning was issued to Kenya who were under threat of going down to 13 men before the break. Hong Kong China showed great patience and #8 Dominic Hedley went over from close range to get the team's third try and extend the lead to 24-14 in the 36th minute.
Kenya did eventually get a second yellow card after repeated penalties and the boys went for another driving maul from a lineout to see Ben Sheldon get a second try and a lead of 29-14 at halftime after a fantastic team display.
RESILIENT AND DOGGED DISPLAY TO SEE OUT THE WIN
Kenya was back to 14 men within the opening minutes of the half, which would end up being bizarre for seeing so many opportunities but few scores.
Several long periods of good possession and controlled phase-play saw Hong Kong China constantly just denied before the Kenyan try line. In the 49th minute, Kenya was back to a full complement of 15 and although Hong Kong China had not added any points, they were enterprising and dominated the possession and territory with plenty of good defence by the Kenyans denying them points.
Danger signs from the Kenyans came as they had their first foray into the Hong Kong China 22m but it was defended well and stolen by captain Clarke who had carried well all game.
With no more points added after the first 20 minutes of the half, it looked like fullback Blake Elliot had scored but it was rightfully called back as it was dropped over the line. A number of backs had an excellent game, Webb at scrum half, Kee was safe under the high ball and ran all day and made metres, and Marcus D’Acre busting tackles and making ground.
The game was more of a tight physical contest too and saw a high number of mauls seeing possession change hands.
Finally the half’s scoring duck was broken as Hong Kong China secured a final try with great hands to see Rickard get the final points and a hard-fought and well-earned 34-14 win over Kenya.
Barked said of the fight the team had shown, “They’ve demonstrated huge resilience - what they’ve had to go through over the last two weeks and the physical demands. The professionalism shown in their recovery and attitude is fantastic - to put in a performance like that against Kenya, who we lost to a year ago shows huge growth in the pathway. Well done to them, and I look forward to what the future has to bring.”
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