Carnegies Kowloon Tigers win big against the Wanchai Warriors

Carnegie Kowloon Tigers sent out a huge warning shot to rest of the competition as they demolished the Wanchai Warriors 112-0 in Week 2 of the ICG Super League.

As the scoreline would suggest, the Tigers dominated the game from the offset. The Warriors kicked off the first half and managed to find touch resulting in a Warriors scrum feed, but the Tigers over turned the scrum and raced down their left wing to open the scoring, setting the tone for the rest of the match. Led superbly by HK Residents player and captain Lee Griffiths up front and man of the match Dan Barlow, the Kowloon Tigers simply overpowered the Warriors. The Warriors though had their moments in the limelight with Alex Small and Simon Smith pulling off try saving tackles on either wing just before half time. Despite the 52-0 half time scoreline, the Warriors valiantly defended the whole game without giving up.

The second half started much like the first with the Tigers scoring yet another try and by this time Robbie McDonald was orchestrating affairs from stand-off with Matty Keay and Josh Hrstich being the main beneficiaries with a hat trick apiece. The Warriors went close following a knock on after a big hit by Jason Fairleigh, allowing Usman Khan to scoop up the ball and race forward only to get knocked into touch by the superb Tigers defense. Though the Warriors started to retain the ball better, the Tigers defensive wall stood firm.

The likes of captain Lawrence Tuck, Japanese Rugby League player Itchy Nakashima and hooker Dickson Lam fronted up extremely well for the Warriors, topping the tackle count in a game where ultimately the superior quality of the Tigers carried them through the game comfortably, who finished with a total of 11 different try scorers. Ben Madgewick, Frank Cartwright and Sam Purvis all joined Barlow in grabbing a brace each.

Match reaction

“Although the scoreline is not one we wanted, we knew coming into this game that the Tigers are favourites for the league as they have some of the best rugby players in Hong Kong in their side. However – the effort and heart showed tonight by the Warriors was simply incredible, and though we didn’t win the game the lads wore the jersey with great pride and definitely won over a lot of fans tonight”

Warriors coach Neville Metcalfe

“We’re delighted with the win tonight and pretty happy with the scoreline, it was a great hit out. We played some really good footy out there, but credit to the Warriors they stuck in it and never once wanted to give up. Hopefully we can carry on that form forward to our next game against Valley.”

Tigers captain Lee Griffiths

The Carnegie Kowloon Tigers face the Valley Broncos on Saturday at King’s Park, 7.30 p.m. kick off.

Carnegie Kowloon Tigers 112 (52): Ben Madgewick (2), Frank Cartwright (2), Sam Hocking, Matty Keay (3), Robbie McDonald, Sam Purvis (2), Mark Lawson, Dan Barlow (2), Ryan Campbell, Josh Hrstich (3), Lawrence Miller
Wanchai Warriors 0 (0)

Man of the match: Dan Barlow, Carnegie Kowloon Tigers.