Hong Kong With The Lions
Among the legions of fans from these shores to have travelled to the other side of the world to support the Lions are several members of the Rainey club. Some of them stopped over in Hong Kong where the Lions opened their programme against the Barbarians. For one Rainey man it was an occasion to remember for a very special reason. Not only did Stephen Rutledge get to savour the atmosphere and experience the heat and humidity of the Hong Kong stadium as a spectator, but he had the thrill of playing in the curtain raiser to the big game when he was selected at loose-head to represent the British Police on their tour of the region.
On Friday 31st May, Stephen played against the Australian Police rugby at Kings Park, Kowloon, for the ‘Kukri Cup’ sponsored by Kukri, winning 49-17, and topped it off by scoring a try from a peel off the back of the line-out.
The team then enjoyed the post-match meal at Hong Kong Police Headquarters and were entertained by the Hong Kong Police Pipe Band and a presentation by British Lions Chief Doctor, James Robinson on the role of the doctor in professional rugby. During the presentations Stephen was awarded his cap for playing his 12th game for British Police. Caps are awarded on playing 12, 25 & 50 games for the section.
The next day they attended Hong Kong Stadium to watch the Lions vs Baa Baas game, before the final game of the tour back at Kings
Park on Tuesday 4th June against Hong Kong ‘A’. This game was played with a thunder storm fast approaching and after 10 minutes the heavens opened and the rest of the game was
played in torrential rain. Stephen scored the opening try off a rolling maul and they went on to win 45-7.
And for Stephen, the excitement continues as he prepares for the World Police and Fire Games to be held in Belfast in early August.
