Bahrain ended an eight-year trophy drought in style as they eventually prevailed over a spirited and stubborn Dubai Exiles to win the West Asia Cup.
The 47-25 scoreline reads like a convincing win, but in truth it was anything but that as a nervous home side edged home only in the final 10 minutes after a vibrant start from Louie Tonkin’s Red Wall was overcome by a battling Exiles performance that almost yielded an unlikely victory.
Jacques Benade’s men were 14-3 behind early on but rallied back as the frightening power of their pack combined with their experience clashed with Bahrain’s free-flowing rugby, leaving the home side hanging on to a precarious lead in the second half.
Behind all game, Exiles got back to 26-25 at the hour mark following Gio Fourie’s second try as the final produced an epic contest befitting the occasion.
Bahrain kept their composure though and eventually ran in three late tries to suck the life out of Exiles and give the final scoreline a flattering look.
Missing a host of regular stars due to injuries, suspension, teachers away on school holidays and visa issues blocking several players from featuring, kick-off in Saar was delayed by an hour as Exiles endured a postponed flight from Dubai.
They were then late to the ground as they were left stranded at the airport on the other side and that seemed to contribute to their poor start as they fell behind early.
The home side – roared on by a vociferous crowed – scoring after just three minutes, Number 8 Eliot Behan touching down to give his side the perfect start.
Ross Preedy – who had a faultless game, failing to miss a single kick at goal – converted, the Welshman eventually finishing with a 22-point haul to lead his side to victory.
Louie Tonkin has led Bahrain to a first trophy in eight years.
Durandt Gerber got on the board with an early penalty but otherwise had a surprisingly poor night in front of goal as he left 11 points out on the field including three missed penalties.
Rumbling prop Davis Tui rolled over to give the hosts a 14-3 lead as Tonkin’s troops threatened to run away with it.
But Exiles showed what they are made of with Gerber diving over to reduce the arrears, youngster Rory Arthur – playing as a makeshift centre – sending the South African over.
Preedy potted a long range penalty and then another after Tui was sin-binned for a shoulder charge, with Gerber making it 20-13 but failing to close the gap further with two penalty misses.
Toby Borrow was then sent to the bin for a high tackle but Exiles could not capitalise as Preedy sent them in 23-13 ahead at the break.
In a commanding position, it was nevertheless Exiles who came out firing at the start of the second half, livewire hooker Fourie – playing at the unusual position of flanker – powered over in the corner to reduce Bahrain’s lead to five.
Preedy made it 26-18 but Exiles were in the ascendancy and a massive cross kick from Gerber caused havoc in the home defence and Arthur did well to make life difficult for full-back Olly Luke. He was penalised for holding on and seconds later Fourie was over again, Gerber converting to make it a one-point game.
What. A. Game.
— Bahrain Rugby (@bahrainrfc) 30 March 2018
Thank you for the incredible support from all over the world and of course - right here in Bahrain!#champions pic.twitter.com/hwMytHZVpr
Suddenly the home crowd felt uneasy with the next 14 minutes passing by with neither side able to seize an opportunity to add to the scoresheet.
The longer the game went on you felt Exiles’ experience would prove key, but Tonkin’s side suddenly found another gear and Behan popped through a gap to score and give Bahrain some breathing space.
It was a body blow to the visitors and they visibly crumbled. Rhys Fitzgerald finished off a fine run through midfield by Tommy Booth and Tui then tore through late on to add insult to injury.
Perfect Preedy potted every chance that came his way as Bahrain celebrated a first home final in a decade with victory, Tonkin leading the club to a first piece of silverware since winning the Arabian Gulf Premiership in 2010.
