2005 Results

Match Report:

Manila: The Dragons final match of the 2005 Champs was against the host Philippine Eagles side.

The game was a bit of a mismatch, and the Dragons used the opportunity to rest a few players to allow everyone to have a decent run.

Justin Faulkner and Paul 'Long Hair' Mallia were good for the Dragons up front and Riggsy was starring in the centre.

The latter stages of the game saw the Dragons playing like a pack of Rottnest Island seagulls scrapping over discarded fish and chips, as the whole squad tried to get their name in the scorebook. A bit ugly, but the final score was Dragons 6.8 to the Philippines double bagel.

At the very least, this provided revenge for the Dragons loss the only other time these two teams had met.

Match Report:

Dragons derailed in opener

Manila: Hong Kong's hopes of a Brisbane Lions-style three-peat were dealt a major blow in the first game of the day with a heart-breaking one point loss to the Bali Geckos. The Dragons led for most of the game and seemed to be in control. Unfortunately it was not to be as Bali managed to snag a goal in the dying seconds to take victory.

The Bali boys deserved extra credit having been spied enjoying the Manila apres-football scene until deep into the night on the ve of the game. They also toured with a much smaller squad than the Dragons, leaving the Dragons in need of some deep self-observation.

Match Report:

Silverware comes Dragons way

Manila: The Dragons, after losing their tournament opener to Bali by a point, were a much improved unit against the Thai Tigers and used the ball much more efficiently.

The game produced a 20 point win for the Dragons, with the midfield feeding the forward line and Jamie Liddle administering a cohensive and disciplined backline.

The win also saw the Dragons retain the Hamilton-Riddel trophy for games against Thailand.

Match Report:

Manila: The Dragons, at one win and one loss, were bouyed at watching Bali lose a close one to Japan in the preceding game. A win over Singapore would have offer a fighting chance of progressing to the final.

The playing group were all fired up. The training services department had done a good job in the preparations, and the stage was set. The intensity of the game was a step up on previos games, with neither side scoring for the first six minutes. A few fights broke out around the ground showing that there was no love lost between the two arch-rivals.

Singapore were first to break the deadlock with a clever goal. A couple of points followed for Singapore to see them go in with an eight point lead at half time.

An early goal to Singapore in the second half saw them extend their lead. It was going to be tough for the Dragons from here. The Dragons did start to win more of the ball and were making less errors. A goal to Rob Tucker with five minutes remianing offered the Dragons some hope. But Singapore tightened up and managed to hold on for an eight point win.

The Dragons could not make the final and another chapter in the annals these two teams' intense rivalry had been written.

Match Report:

Dragons win in Bangkok to remain undefeated in 2005

On the weekend of 6/7 August, the Dragons travelled to Bangkok to take on the Thailand Tigers in the annual match for the Hamilton-Reddell cup.

The Dragons took a small squad consisting of 18 players and 4 brains trust. However, as the Tigers were fielding a squad of 29 players, we were required to play 16 a side. Although the Dragons were light for numbers compared to the opposition, there were some quality players in the side, so a close contest was expected.

The Tigers won the toss and kicked with the wind, and it was not long before they had opened their account. However, this was about all the joy the Tigers would have for the first quarter with the Dragons piling on 5 more goals to nil for the quarter to take the lead.

Officer Byrne had an interesting tussle with his opponent - a solider who reported to him in the army. The running brigade of Rigg, Walker and Burgess in he midfield were firing and feeding Hamilton and Davis up forward. Anything that went beyond the centre was well repelled by the top quality defence.

Despite the excellent first quarter, the Dragons were instructed not to let up in the second quarter. Will Hamilton was wary of the lack of numbers on the interchange and the hot conditions. The Dragons took up where they left off in the first quarter, and kicked 4 goals to nil with the breeze in the second quarter, to lead by 9 goals to one at the half time break.

In the third quarter, the sting had completely gone out of the game, with just the one goal scored for the quarter to the Dragons.

In the final quarter, the Dragons (namely Ben Davis) missed a few easy shots at goal, and two goals were scored for each team. As Ben couldn't kick, the best he could do was spoil a Sam Greenland shot on the line, keep it in play, and then push Sam out of the way to soccer it through for a goal. Great team play Ben!

Final scores were Dragons 12.7 to Thailand 3.6. Best players for the Dragons were Todd Burgess (BOG), Sam Gribble, Tim Burbury, Ben Davis, Stu Walker, Graeme Rigg and Ronnie Bertoli.

The Dragons celebrated well into the evening, and most of the day on Sunday before returning with sore heads to Hong Kong.

Quote of the tour went to Jamie Liddle who asked BFG why he was taping his fingers before the game. "You don't need to tape your fingers to cut the oranges Gav!"

Michael Robertson

Match Report:

"Too high, ump!!

Dragons send Singapore packing

On Saturday 28 May 2005 the Dragons took on the Singapore Wombats at Tin Kwong Recreation Ground in Kowloon. It was the first time Singapore had visited Hong Kong this millennium, and the first international at the ground since the 2003 Asian championships. Singapore also brought a strong squad with them to take on the reigning Asian champions, who were similarly close to full strength.

After heavy overnight rain, the ground had held up remarkably well, and although the surface was a little soft, there was no surface water or wind to talk about, and hence the conditions were going to have little or no impact on the game.

For the first 10 or so minutes of the game, no team was to score with both teams rebounding out of defence well. Jamie Liddle and Tim Burbury for Hong Kong and Simon Walsh and Tony Boatman in particular for Singapore. After a few poor shots for goal, Hamish Stuart finally broke the deadlock with a running torpedo goal.

Singapore were to rerspond with 2 goals and went into the first break with a slight lead.

The second quarter was also a very hard fought contest, with Hong Kong starting to make use of the large interchange bench, but unable to pull away from Singapore who still had plenty of run. Hong Kong did look the better side in the last few minutes, and a late goal gave them a 6 point lead at
the main break.

The skipper and Unicorn gave out a bit of a spray to the playing group at half time who had clearly wasted a few shots at goal, but all the same had a few players down on form.

Due to the large size of the interchange bench, the captain vowed to give all players a run, and this proved to be a master stroke in the third quarter as it was clear that Singapore had given their all in the first half and were spent, whereas the fresh legs of the Dragons and the form of Hamish in the centre resulting in a one-sided quarter. The Dragons took a 25 point lead into the final quarter.

The final quarter was all one way traffic again, and only a few late goals from Singapore pin-up Andrew Taylor making the score not quite a cricket score at the home of Hong Kong cricket. A mark and goal from Bogan represented the sealer.

Final scores were Hong Kong 11.15 (81) to Singapore 6.3 (39).

A great win for the Dragons against a side that was so far unbeaten this year and our opposition for last year's Asian championships final.

Best players for the Dragons were Hamish Stuart (best on ground), Burbs, Todd, Bryso, Maca and Matty Cook.

Matt Cook took the mark of the day in front of the members stand on the wing, and Hamish kicked goal of the day - one of his 5 from the centre.

A great night followed on the Star Ferry for those who attended or Delaneys for those that did not.

Thanks to Singapore for making the effort to tour. Always a tough ask to beat Hong Kong at home, but the guys were great sports.

We also made the front page of the sports section of the SCMP on Sunday.

Bogan sends the Dragons into attack