Jacques Benade has challenged his Dubai Exiles players to win their remaining four games in a bid to claim the West Asia Championship trophy.
Exiles recorded an impressive 43-10 victory over Abu Dhabi Saracens at The Sevens on Friday night and the South African feels whoever makes the least mistakes between now and the end of the campaign next month will lift the inaugural title.
Exiles’ win killed off any remote hopes reigning West Asia champions Sarries had of retaining their title, while Abu Dhabi Harlequins’ 37-34 victory against Dubai Hurricanes also realistically ruled James Ham’s men out of the running for honours, meaning Exiles, Quins and Doha are now the three remaining teams in the hunt to win the competition.
Wheeled scrums now 'use it' or 'reset'. No more turnover. A great reactive half back try. @DubaiExiles @asiarugby pic.twitter.com/pxmsD6sAEJ
— Gulf Rugby Paper (@GulfRugbyPaper) February 12, 2016
“We have to go and win every game now. Whoever makes the least amount of slips ups will win it,” said Benade.
“Any of the three can win it, perhaps even Hurricanes still too.”
Exiles are on the road for their next three games, travelling to Al Ain Amblers next weekend before making the short trip to Jebel Ali Dragons.
They then make what is likely to be a crucial trek to the UAE capital to take on Quins at Zayed Sports City before ending their campaign at home against Canes on March 18.
“We have four big games left and we just have to try and win every one of them,” added Benade.
“Quins go to Doha and we also go to Quins. We’ve got Dragons to play and they’re playing well so there are no easy games left.”
Exiles scored six tries in all, with braces for UAE winger Charlie Sargent and scrum-half Ed Armitage, captain Glenn Moore and lock
Rinus Bothma also touching down, as Benade’s side banked another bonus point, which is likely to prove crucial at the end of the season.
“It was a great game, a big result and another bonus point which is massive,” added Benade.
“We took our chances well. It was a game both teams wanted to win and Sarries looked very dangerous. They’re a good, competitive side.
“We were only 14-3 ahead at half-time but then we got an early try in the second half and perhaps their heads went down a wee bit.”
For Sarries skipper Jaen Botes, who grabbed his side’s only try while Steve Hamilton added the conversion as well as a penalty, Exiles deserved to win as they were more clinical.
“Exiles are a well drilled side, all respect to Jaques and his team, they’re a side that can score from any set-play or mistake by the opposition and at the end of the day they were better and deserved to win,” the South African said of his compatriot.
“They capitalised on all of our errors. It’s frustrating looking at that score knowing that half of it was down to a loose ball or down to a dropped ball that they capitalised on.”
