Hong Kong's sevens team exceeded expectations in finishing runners-up to Uruguay in the HSBC World Rugby Challenger Series in Montevideo.
Coach Jevon Groves' men lost 28-0 to the hosts in the cup final but produced some fireworks along the way to lift the team's spirit after failing to fire in the series opener in Dubai.
By reaching the final, Hong Kong vaulted to fifth place in the 12-team table ahead of the final tournament of the three-leg series in Munich in May.
That revived their hopes of capturing one of four spots in the promotion-relegation playoff for the elite series at the Madrid Sevens later this year.
"I am really pleased with how we performed this weekend," Groves said.
"Coming in some of us thought that reaching the playoff might be out of reach after the opening tournament, but the boys really showed up. That was some of the best rugby that we have played in some time in a tournament of that level.
"We are disappointed in the final, but I think we have taken some good learnings from it. The boys really enjoyed their appearance here, which was great because South America has not been a happy hunting ground for us previously."
Hong Kong beat Kenya 21-14 in the semi-finals with Cado Lee ka-to grabbing a brace.
Hugo Stiles' conversions gave Hong Kong an early 14-0 lead before Kenya cut their deficit to 14-7. Forward Callum McCullough's second try of the weekend pushed Hong Kong out to 21-7, which Kenya cut to 21-14 at the final hooter.
"We played very well against Kenya. We stuck to what we wanted to do in breaking up their tempo and scored some nice tries," Groves said. "We worked hard to break their fast and loose style; Kenya have some big men and they run hard, so our boys worked hard in defense."
Hong Kong's hopes were quickly dashed in the final with Uruguay scoring from the kick-off before adding three further tries as they shut out Hong Kong for a second time this year.
What could be a serious ankle injury for captain Seb Brien compounded matters as he left the field early on.
"Uruguay are very, very experienced. We talked about starting quick, but at home the passion and emotion of Uruguay was a bit too much," Groves said.
Meanwhile, the women's team finished seventh after beating Kenya 27-22 thanks to a hat-trick from Chong Ka-yan.
They rose two places to eighth in the standings.
Callum McCullough scores a try during the semi-final against Kenya.
