Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: Hong Kong coach sees ‘positive’ side of women’s close escape
Andy Vilk says Denmark deserves credit for their showing in 14-14 draw, while city’s two-try hero Chong Ka-yan believes team must start better
Hong Kong head coach Andy Vilk said there were always positives to take away after the city’s women escaped with a draw against Denmark on Friday.
Playing in the Melrose Claymores tournament at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, the reigning champions found themselves in a bit of a hole after the visitors jumped to a 14-0 lead through tries from Sofie Giessing and Mille Elmbak either side of half-time.
Veteran Chong Ka-yan salvaged the day for the hosts with a pair of tries inside the final three minutes, her score and the conversion levelling matters at 14-14 seconds after the hooter had sounded at Kai Tak Stadium.
“It was a rather tense game, so I was thinking ‘let’s not celebrate too much’ after scoring the first try, and just passed the ball to the kicker for the conversion,” Chong, who earned her 41st cap, said afterwards.
“The numerical advantage we enjoyed certainly helped us to pull through, we were always thinking, we did not want to lose even when we were two tries down.”
Vilk said the Danes, who were visiting the Sevens for the first time, deserved full credit for their performance.