By Dugout Philippines
CALAMBA--The U19 Philippine Volcanoes finished the year on a high after defeating the Hong Kong Junior Warriors, 49-0, to lift the annual 2015 First Pacific Cup at the Southern Plains Rugby Field on Saturday.
More commonly known as the Junior Volcanoes, the national team overcame horrid typhoon conditions to outplay and out skill the touring Hong Kong team scoring an unanswered six tries in the opening half.
Robbie McCafferty, Rhys Mackley and Dan O’Rielly provided the spark for the Junior Volcanoes, while Hamish McWilliam secured a hat trick of tries that proved to be too strong for the opposition.
"The U19s national team is a platform for our next batch of future Volcanoes. This program helps develop and identify the next generation of elite athletes. It provides a pathway so our men’s national team can continue to be successful on the world stage," assistant coach and current Philippine Volcano Jake Letts described the said grassroots program.
Letts also stated the coaching staff identified up to two players that will most likely get to graduate to the men’s program as early as next year.
"Robbie McCafferty had a great series, he showed real maturity at this level and is no doubt pushing for selection in the National Men’s Squad," the senior team skipper continued, hinting that McCafferty could be a lock for next year's first team roster.
The said win boosted the bright future ahead for the Volcanoes as they once again aim to become a rugby powerhouse in Asia for 2016.
The Philippine Development Team, however, was dealt a final blow in their second match after winning the opening game just three days earlier.
The Hong Kong Senior Warriors took out the Transcom Shield in a close encounter, 13-0, to hand the home team a one all record in their own series.
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