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A fitful Friday night match turned into a dramatic affair tonight at Kings Park as Kowloon claimed their first win of the Old Mutual International Premiership season by beating Societe Generale Valley 20-18 in extra time.
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Valley took the lead 7-3 in the 9th minute, after a charge down gifted centre Taumafai Komiti with an easy try. However, the hosts rallied nicely at the end of the half, coming away with their first try of the game through winger Chris Kinlock. This closed the deficit to 15-10 at the break.
Kowloon’s rally looked to be short-lived after they conceded a penalty on the opening kick-off, with Matt Rosslee slotting his second goal of the night to extend the visitors lead to 18-10 after 41 minutes.
Lewis Warner then scored a solo try as he came blazing into the line to finish with a 40-metre sprint, outpacing Komiti to cross over in the 47th minute. Sneddon’s conversion brought Kowloon to within a point at 18-17.
What was shaping up to be a wide open match was nearly derailed after Rosslee was surprisingly issued a red card, following a seemingly inconsequential fracas after the re-start.
However, in the 84th minute, Kowloon forced a massive turnover. A scrambling Valley defence were penalised at the ruck, setting up a kcikable opportunity for Kowloon 47 metres out.
Reserve back Michael Hanning stepped up to be the hero and he proved up to the task, coolly slotting the 47-metre penalty to give Kowloon a 20-18 win.
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Meanwhile, Natixis HKFC continued their hot start in the Old Mutual International Premiership, taking a tough away win over Bloomberg HK Scottish 37-30. The bonus point win sees HKFC remain the only undefeated side in the Premiership and lifts them to the top of the table on nine points. This puts them ahead of Borrelli Walsh USRC Tigers, who emerged on the right end of another close match this afternoon, beating HKCC 29-16.
