Hong Kong crowned Asian Junior champions

Hong Kong Under 20s gave the home crowd reason to celebrate after outplaying Chinese Taipei to win 37-0 and be crowned Olympus Capital Asian Junior Rugby champions at the Hong Kong Football Club.

The hosts were the stand-out side in the seven-team competition, triumphing 69-9 against Malaysia on day one and then 51-10 over Sri Lanka in the semi final. After falling short in the last two tournaments Hong Kong were determined to go one better this time out and showed their class in front of a partisan crowd.

Chinese Taipei had shocked defending champions Korea 34-29 after extra time in Wednesdays other semi final and started well against Hong Kong outfit, edging possession in the opening minutes. However it did not last and the fifth seeds had few answers to a side superior in all departments.

Niall Rowark kicked a simple penalty, then launched a kick into touch for a lineout Robert Reid-Kay claimed the throw and powered over for the first of six tries and an 8-0 lead. Chinese Taipei then had second row Chih-Hung Li sin-binned for stopping a quick throw-in and from the resulting penalty wing Alex Raper punished his indiscipline. Spinning the ball wide the flyer managed to keep his balance near the touchline and Hong Kong backs became forwards, pushing him over the try.

Adam Fullgrabe, the big number 8 who has been one of the stars of the tournament after only taking up rugby two years ago, got the third driving from the back of the scrum with devastating effect to give the hosts an 18-0 lead at half time.

Chinese Taipei needed to score first but it was Hong Kong who produced more of the same as in a carbon copy of the first try, Reid-Kay won the lineout ball and fed prop Chris Carpio, who smuggled his way over. A quarter of the way into the second half the contest was decided as flanker Andrew Bridle stole a lineout throw to make it 30-0 Hong Kong. Yellow cards spoiled the end of the game and Hong Kong full back Sean Simpkins rounded off a sweeping move for the sixth try and a comfortable win.

In the final days other games Sri Lanka upset Korea 31-15 in the third place play-off after the defending champions had led 10-0. Two fine solo tries from Sri Lankan centre Darshana Ethipola sealed his sideas third placing for the third year in a row.

In the fifth place play-off, seventh seeds Malaysia were level with Thailand at 12-12 at half time, but a devastating performance after the break saw the Thais run out comfortable 39-12 winners.

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