With the British School from Hong Kong pulling out, the annual Cambodian International Rugby 10s Schools Tournament has been reduced to a four-team affair with three Phnom Penh based sides joining Hanoi’s Lycee Français Alexandre in the one-day event at the Old Stadium tomorrow.

Cambodian Rugby Federation Secretary Thomas Sterling said it was unfortunate that the Hong Kong school could not make the trip due to some health issues among students. “We have three local schools in PSE, ASPECA and Lycee Phnom Penh competing with Lycee Hanoi this year,” he said during an interview with The Post on Wednesday.

“The Schools event is a very important initiative in our annual calendar as the Federation strives hard to promote grassroots rugby. The CRF is thankful that a host of sponsors like Ezecom, Ford RM Asia, Refresh Mobile, Kingdom Breweries, and Nagaworld have come forward to support the event,” added Sterling.

Meanwhile, the CRF’s Super Four League has reached the halfway mark with Saigon Geckos, who have been rebranded as Vina Projects Saigon Geckos following a sponsorship deal, topping the table with 10 points after just two games. PSE Garudas, who have played one game more, follow the leaders with five points.

The Geckos have been in rampaging form this season, having picked up two bonus points on their way to huge wins over Stade Khmer (40-7 on February 19) and Garudas (38-5 on March 12).

The table toppers once again line up against Garudas tomorrow in the first of the two Super 4 League games scheduled to be played after the conclusion of the schools event.

In the day’s second game, reigning league champions Sisowath Knights take on Stade Khmer.

In the opening fixture of the league, which began on January 15, Garudas proved too good for Stade Khmer to run away with a 24-3 victory. However, the four-time champions lost their next game to Sisowath Knights 12-21 on January 22.

Stade Khmer’s only win in three matches so far came in their 20-10 triumph over Sisowath Knights on February 12.

Five more games are to be played before the Super 4 League winds up on May 14, with a final showdown slated for May 21.