With the dust now settled on the season, here’s our look back at all the highs and lows from KPMG Hong Kong Scottish’s 2021/22 Dettol Men’s Premiership second place finish.
This was certainly a season to remember for the Red Lion faithful with new Head Coach Peter Jericevich leading his men to a second place finish in the league. That was before Covid restrictions restricted the scotsmen of their opportunity of playing their home semi-final and with it any opportunity to claim the title.
At the start of the campaign, Scottish bolstered their ranks with a host of new signings who would all go onto make their debuts, including: Tommy Wilson (Scotland), Nick Hyde, Vinnie O’Connell, Tommy Taylor (all New Zealand), Max Nelson (Samoa), Ned Warne, Nick Bett, Sam Miller (all England) and Tomasi Lawa (Fiji) all contributing massively on and off the field. Quarantine delayed many of these signings making their debut for the first few rounds as they watched on from a hotel room. Home-grown talent would also prove vital with debutants Otto Ng, Louie Tait and Andrew Bruce all making the step up from the Nomads to also earn their first caps for the first team.
The sweltering summer heat made for tough conditions for the men in blue as the season kicked off to a slow start. An early red card in the first game of the season was the start of a three game losing streak as the opposition teams got off to a stronger start. There were some exceptional performances during this period most notably from centre partnership Michael Green and Conor Hartley, who continuously exemplified the physical edge they are known for. After a couple of weeks of room service the new recruits were out of quarantine and started to filter onto the team sheet, providing some much-needed reinforcements for a team that was showing plenty of promise with a style similar to the Barbarians, and the discipline to match!
Next up, an away fixture to top of the table and much in-form Kowloon. A last minute drop goal from captain Gregor Mcneish proving the difference between the teams and was enough to snatch the victory from the previously unbeaten Kowloon to start Scottish’s rise up the table. Unfortunately victory came at a cost as Gregor Mcneish succumbed to what would become a season-ending injury for the influential playmaker but he had made a big impact before then. With a combined age approaching 80, Peter Jericevich persuaded the experienced duo Lex Kaleca and record cap holder Jamie Pincott out of retirement to replace the growing injury concern. Ale Nardoni took over the captaincy, with all three inspiring a commanding 27-42 victory away at Tigers.
A lack of composure in the next two matches saw Scottish surrender comfortable leads loosing both matches by just one point, despite playing some exhilarating rugby. Most notable was when Harry Baron crossed under the posts to finish off a length-of-the-field try that started from a turn over on our own line. Not content with kicking the ball downfield, the ball was spun wide to Cam Smith from behind their own posts who broke down the left touchline. Sam Miller and Vinnie O’Connor both dented the depleted Valley defence further before quick hands from flanker Jake Barlow put his back row colleague past the last defender. It was a try that had the whole team’s fingerprints all over it and exemplified well the attacking philosophy that underpins the team.
Next up, Football Club away! Injuries were starting to take their toll on the team. A heavily depleted Scottish squandered a half-time lead when they became undone late in the game by two tries to finish 30-13 and somewhat flatter the home team. James Christie, Kyle Sullivan and Sam Miller continued their fine form and the ever vocal Tommy Wilson proved a constant nuisance to the opposition.
The following week was back at Kowloon who had only lost one other game since we knocked them off the top peg six weeks prior and were out for revenge. A masterful performance from new father and top points scorer, Sean Taylor, showed that the highly rated full back was just as good with no sleep as he helped seal the double over Kowloon in a crushing 15-40 win.
Scottish were once again the best represented on the sideline for Super Saturday as Club sponsors Milwaukee hosted the Red Lion pop-up pub. After some fine performances everyone was beaming with confidence, only to become undone by hooker, Nick Hyde’s hamstring in the warm up. After one too many burpees during the week, he was forced to withdraw from the game at the very last minute. Further panic ensued as his replacement Harry Baron took a nasty tackle straight from the kick off, as he joined his fellow hooker in the Red Lion 79 minutes earlier than either had hoped. Ultimately Scottish, without a functioning lineout or scrum, were on the end of a frustrating but courageous 35-31 loss.
However, the supporters were once again given reason to cheer the following week after the team inflicted a crushing 45-12 defeat over Valley. This was backed up the next week with a similarly impressive 49-31 victory over Sandy Bay, with the abrasive Nick Hyde getting a well deserved hat-trick. Brad Tuff clinched his 50th cap in his final appearance before leaving Hong Kong this summer. He has given a great deal on the pitch where he has played across the front row as well as coaching and managing the Nomads, but it is perhaps his renditions of ‘Shallow’ that he will be remembered most for at the Club.
In the run up to Christmas, Scottish were performing well in a tightly contested league, with just 9 points the difference between five of the teams after 12 matches. Hong Kong Scottish lay in second place and were peaking at the right time with momentum building ahead of the play-off matches. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be as Government Covid restrictions were introduced and sports facilities closed, terminating the season early. However, this just gives us extra fuel to go even harder next season.
A huge thanks goes to all our sponsors, supporters, players and volunteer coaches, as well as our fantastic ball retrieval team from our partner club Flying Kukris RFC, who were all instrumental in ultimately making the season the success it has been. A special mention also goes to Kyle Sullivan and Jarrod Mongston for also reaching the 50 cap milestone this season.
