Forward planning: Valley still perfect after bruising battle of the packs against HKFC

Natixis HKFC pressed the runaway HKRU Premiership leaders very close at Happy Valley on Saturday but when push came to shove the home pack prevailed with Societe Generale Valley winning 13-6 to extend their perfect run to nine matches.

In a bruising back-and-forth affair in keeping with the historic rivalry between the two sides, Valley took an early lead with a 45-metre penalty from fly-half Ben Rimene.

Lock Adam Campbell scored the hosts’ only try, mid-way through the first half, with Rimene’s beautifully struck conversion from the touchline and a second penalty giving Valley a 13-0 lead at half-time.

HKFC looked dangerous throughout but failed to convert their many chances, especially in the second half after Jimmy Richards and Niall Rowark came off the bench and speeded up play for the visitors.

The Sports Road side held Valley score-less in the second period and, with replacement hooker Mitch Andrews in the sin-bin late in the match, HKFC number eight Trevor Conneely capitalised on a good line-break by the backs to get over the line from in close.

Jamie Hood’s quick conversion brought the score to 13-7 and HKFC looked in with a chance to steal the game and claim the Broony Quaich, though Valley will now carry the Ranfurly-style trophy into the second half of the season.

The HKFC forwards delivered a brave performance despite prop John McCoppin going off injured minutes after he had come off the bench and playing the final 10 minutes a man-down.