Annual Bill Riach 7s
The 41st annual Bill Riach 7s was held on February 8. There were 12 teams competing from various clubs in Hong Kong including our own Police 1st XV and the Panthers XV. Those that had gathered on an uncharacteristically sunny afternoon would have enjoyed a spirited display of committed rugby that no doubt Bill Riach himself would have enjoyed.
Not many officers still in the Force would remember Bill, who served from 1957 until his untimely death in 1963. By all accounts he was a well-liked and respected officer who was Canadian by birth but always claimed Scottish ancestry. His lifestyle mirrored his rugby exploits in that he was an aggressive, slightly unorthodox scrum half who played a committed but fair game. At the time of his death he was travelling back to Sha Tau Kok Station, where he was the SDI, when he failed to negotiate a bend and ran off the road into a tree.
As a measure of the popularity of the man, the Bill Riach Sevens was instituted later that year and have been played on an annual basis ever since.
The Police 1st XV and Panthers both faired well, advancing as far as the cup semi-finals and on the way using an open flowing style of rugby, which bodes well for the World Police and Fire Games.
Yuen Long District Commander, Mr Peter Else, an ex-rugby player and Hong Kong Rugby Union officer, was on hand to present prizes to the eventual winners, Valley, after which the Bill Riach Trophy will be polished and put away for another appearance next year.
Yuen Long District Commander, Mr Peter Else presents Valley Team Captain with the Trophy