Gulf Top Six round-up: Saracens see off Doha, Quins struggle to win Bahrain

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Getting stronger by the day: Saracens have won all their GT6 games to date.

    Abu Dhabi Saracens are now the only unbeaten side left in the Gulf Top Six after an emphatic 39-15 win over previously high-flying Doha.

    The Qataris had scored more than 40 points in each of their first three games, soaring to victories against Abu Dhabi Harlequins (50-10), Dubai Hurricanes (41-5) and Bahrain (45-24) – but they had their wings clipped last night by a dominant Sarries who have been getting stronger all season.

    Ali Thompson’s charges have enjoyed good wins themselves, including over Jebel Ali Dragons, a first ever victory against capital city neighbours Harlequins and putting 40 points on Dubai Hurricanes the previous week.

    The kick-off at Al Ghazal was delayed as the home team had to change and warm-up a short distance from the pitch, which some feared might disrupt their rhythm, but any trepidation was dispelled as they raced into a commanding 21-3 lead at half-time.

    Flanker Jonny Taylor scored his third try in four games when he charged down a clearance kick and collected to scamper 30 yards to touch down.

    Winger Mike Pugliese replaced the injured Cormac Meyler, who suffered a suspected dislocated elbow, and scored within minutes of coming on before Sarries’ dominant pack began to take charge, with lock Alex Gonzalez crossing before the break.

    Doha’s case was not helped by several missed kicks from Greg Evans, although captain Liam Frost got them back in it when he scored in the corner after half-time with Sarries’ skipper Jaen Botes in the bin.

    Botes made up for his earlier indiscretions to score a fifth try for the hosts, flanker Dillon Gage earlier securing a bonus point with their fourth, as the hosts issued yet another statement.

    “I didn’t actually expect it to be such a big score-line, I thought it would be much closer,” said Sarries’ South African captain.

    “But, all credit to the boys, we’ve got a wonderful pack and have got some guys in the backs who can finish. It was a great win, but it’s not over and we’ve just got to keep moving forward.”

    Doha skipper Frost said his side had “no excuses”.

    “We know that we underperformed today,” he said. 

    “We’ve probably built a bit of a pedestal for ourselves but we just crumbled. It was a poor performance, no excuses.”

    Bahrain make Quins work for win
    Jebel Ali Dragons’ Murray Strang.

    Abu Dhabi Harlequins made it back-to-back Gulf Top Six wins with a 32-17 victory over Bahrain last night.

    Jeremy Manning’smen were made to work hard by their dogged hosts, with the highlight of the night a superb 80m try from winger Chris Marshall.

    Skipper Phil Abraham, Phil Brady and Clendon Pene also crossed to earn Quins a bonus point win.

    Meanwhile, Murray Strang potted a last-minute penalty to breathe life into Jebel Ali Dragons’ GT6 campaign as they won a thrilling game 31-29 against Dubai Hurricanes on Thursday night.

    In an end-to-end contest, Dragons opened up an early 15-0 lead through Andy Russell and Ross Samson tries.

    But Canes, led by former Dragons’ coach Ross Mills, hit back with four tries of their own at 7he Sevens to give themselves a commanding 29-15 lead.

    Dragons staged a stunning fight-back though with two more tries of their own and a string of Strang penalties, including the game-clincher.

    Recommended