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On Saturday 24 July 2010, Singapore toured Hong Kong to take on the Hong Kong Dragons. The game was initially scheduled for a 16-a-side game at Kai Tak Oval. However, a black rain on the tail end of a typhoon on Thursday evening ruined those plans and the game was shifted to Kings Park, Darkside, Hong Kong. As Singapore had just 15 players, Hong Kong had 30 and Kings Park was a smaller ground, common sense suggested we split the Dragons into two sides and make it a three team cup. First game saw the home team – Darkside Dragons – take on Singapore. The Darkside really took it up to Singapore in the first half in particular and only trailed by a goal at the main break. Stalwarts Lips, Doddsy and Lawso were playing good footy, along with youngsters Chris Adams and Thomas. The second half saw the Wombats get into gear a bit more and run away with the game to win 10.11.71 to 4.3.27. Gaelic converts Bill and Joycee improved as the game went on to show that they will be handy additions to the Dragons in games to come. Second game was a return of the old Fenwick Cats white clash strip for a game of Dragons v Dragons (or Fenwick Cats vs Wanchai Demons). The game was a good hitout for all Dragons (including Jonsey who came back with his tail between his legs after playing for Singapore in the first game). An even contest was had and the Fenwick Cats in the white stripe just managed to scrape home 6.4.40 to 4.6.30. The final game of the day was the one the massive crowd of red and blue were there to see – Asian footballs biggest rivalry Hong Kong Dragons vs Singapore Wombats playing off for the Angus McDougall Cup. And with Angus there to umpire the game no less. In a selection controversy that is bound to also bring a smile to the Bintangs faces, Dragons life member and Bintangs former coach Tom Dooley lined up for the Wombats. A hamstring injury 2 minutes into the game sent Dooley from the field, however. 
Coach Farmer selected a reasonably strong side going into the game, but was aware that the Wombats had quite a few good players in their side and on the smaller ground it was going to be a difficult contest. The Wombats started the better side kicking the first goal of the game. The Dragons then took control for the next half of the first quarter and led by a goal at quarter time. The second quarter was a tight contest throughout and the Dragons took just a two goal lead into half time. The coach must have put on a shade of Bondi bronze at half time as he was as dark as Curtly Ambrose. Loose checking in defense and through the corridor were the reasons we were not further in front. Even Singapore’s Rooster managed to use his big date to advantage to take a couple of grabs and kick a goal. The first five minutes of the third quarter saw the Dragons take control of the game. Stuchy, who had been shifted forward, scored a great captains goal under the posts to get things rolling. Two more goals followed and it appeared the Dragons had broken Singapore’s resistance. Keano, Mick and new international footballer Matt Jackson was getting more of the ball than Molly Meldrum though the middle and big Jacko was winning some important ruck contests. Cooky was dominating across half back. Singapore did rally a little late in the quarter and kicked the final goal, but the Dragons were reasonably safe with a 26 point lead at three quarter time. The final quarter saw the Wombats have a crack early but they could only kick points. The Dragons decided to make several changes to the team to bring on some fresher players and increased the lead to go on and win 10.6.66 to 5.6.36. Best players on the day (in the opinion of the coach) were Matt Jackson, Cooky, Keano, Christian, Sean, Mick and Crights. Beers and celebrations followed for the next 12 hours between the Dragons and the Wombats who were a great bunch of blokes. Singapore won the boat race at Bulldogs. Hopefully they took the Angus McDougall Cup, otherwise it is lost (again). Thanks to all those who played and those that helped out on the day. Michael “Farmer” Robertson
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