Edmonton Sevens: Hong Kong secure another seventh-place finish as South Africa claim series title
- Second seventh-place finish in two outings in Canada ensures Paul John’s team manage eighth spot overall in the 2021 Series
- Max Denmark shines in hugely impressive win against Ireland
Hong Kong’s sevens team claimed a hugely creditable seventh-place finish for a second straight week as Paul John’s men scored a fine win against Ireland on the final day of the Edmonton Sevens in Canada.
Sunday had started on a worrying note for John’s team, competing outside of Asia on this Canada swing of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for the first time in 14 years.
After a chastening 43-5 loss during pool play on day one against South Africa, they failed to register at all against the Vancouver Sevens winners during a 46-0 hammering in their cup quarter-final match early on Sunday.
They then disappointingly went down in the fifth-place play-off match 21-7 to Germany, who only managed ninth-place last week in Vancouver.
Hopes weren’t high going into the seventh-place decider against pool C winners Ireland, but Hong Kong drew first blood through a converted Hugo Stiles try. However, Ireland hit back after half-time when Tullamore speedster Jordan Conroy went over to level the score at 7-7.
