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BNL Tour -
Hong Kong Tournament |
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Hong Kong the
finance capital of Asia not only boasts Stanley Market,
The Peak and Toys R Us, but also some of the region's
best nightspots and netballers - outside of Bangkok that
is! How could the Siam Cats, the representative team for
Bangkok's best (and only) netball league, resist the
challenge - shopping, dancing, drinking AND netball?
So off we went to Bangkok Airport, our industrious
organizer, Angela Baker, already in Hong Kong
(ostensibly for business but I am sure she was just
getting in some early shopping or drinking practice!).
The flight was smooth and quick, personal TV's and
synchronized seat dancing helping to pass the time, and
we soon arrived in Hong Kong tired but ready to shop.
Friday night saw some of the more extrovert behaviour
that is often exhibited by a Siam Cat on tour,
especially when frequenting watering holes such as
Carnegies (renound for dancing on the bar, al la Coyote
Ugly rather than Cowboy or Nana). Good job our first
match was on the Saturday afternoon!
We met the following afternoon, some with bleary eyes
and dance floor injuries, but all ready to tackle the
fearsome Hong Kong Dragons (aka Hong Kong Football Club
Netball team (HKFC). Having found our way to the
fantastic indoor gymnasium, which is a far cry from our
outdoor sauna/court, we were met by HKFC's organizer
Sarah Cassis and introduced to the teams. |
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Each team played two matches - Siam Cats A against HKFC A team
was very hard fought, with the HKFC just coming out ahead in the
final 5 minutes to win 21 to 13. Some superb shooting from
Nicole and Sandy coupled with great defense from Angela and
Sally and flowing center court moves between Janet, Gail and
Fran proved a great combination, but not quite good enough to
win on the day. Siam Cats B - Supinda, Cathy, Sarah (with a
dance floor injury), Lorraine (with bleary eyes) and Alfreda -
fared slightly less well against HKFC B team losing 25 to 12,
but considering they only had 5 players (I confess we did borrow
a couple HKFC girls to make up the 7) it was a sterling effort.
Siam Cats A then played HKFC B and vice versa, Siam Cats A
winning a short, but very close game, 9 points to 8 and our B
team fared slightly better than the previous game but still lost
out the HKFC. Proof of the enjoyment had through all the games
was the laughter that could be heard from start to finish.
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A great visit to HKFC was completed by the fantastic BBQ and
drinks that were generously provided by our hosts. It was then
off back into town for more exploration/shopping, a few us
making it up, on the incredibly steep tram, to The Peak where we
were hypnotized by Hong Kong at night.
On the Sunday we were set for a match against the netballers
from the Hong Kong Cricket Club (HKCC), unfortunately, in true
British sporting style, rain stopped play so we had to endure
the hardship of champagne and nibbles in the HKCC Club House
before heading back to the hotel to pack. Maybe next time girls.
So, after a weekend of hard work and lots of fun we came away
from Hong Kong not only with new shoes but new friends as well.
On behalf of all the Siam Cats who went to challenge the Hong
Kong Dragons I would like to thank Angela and Sandy for
organising the trip, to all the Siam Cats who went for making it
worthwhile and particularly the Hong Kong Football Club and
Cricket Club for the generous hospitality they showed us. When
you come here will endeavour to repay the favour. |
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