A double from flying full-back Douglas Steele helped Abu Dhabi complete a clean sweep of the two-part Bill McLaren Foundation All Stars Challenge against Dubai.
The capital side claimed a 24-19 win at a sweltering Dubai Sports City pitch, in a surprisingly gritty charity match that pitted invitational sides from the two cities.
Abu Dhabi’s victory came despite going down to 13 men temporarily, after Phil Brady and Adam Crossley received yellow cards either side of the interval for slowing the ball down.
The fast-paced, committed play saw the rugby season end in competitive fashion.
Abu Dhabi player-coach Alistair Thompson hoped the fundraising event would become a permanent fixture.
“I absolutely hope this will be an annual thing,” the Abu Dhabi Saracens flanker told Sport360°. “It is a nice end to the season, as it is about playing at a higher level and that is something rugby players should aspire to.
“People say Abu Dhabi is Dubai’s little brother, and to get one over them is a good feeling. The try we scored in the first few minutes was ‘champagne rugby’, and that settled some nerves.”
Although there was no repeat of last Friday’s 10-try gala at Zayed Sports City, Friday’s game started with a bang as Abu Dhabi Harlequins winger Rob Buaserau showed his trademark pace to finish off an incisive first-minute attack.
After an error-strewn opening quarter, Dubai Hurricanes wing Daryl Johnson profited from some great offloads from his forwards to put the hosts two points ahead.
Steele then got his opener thanks to a searing break from Saracens team-mate John Coutts, before an interception from Jebel Ali Dragons inside centre Murray Strang gave Dubai a 14-12 half-time lead.
A lack of discipline did not hold Abu Dhabi back at the start of the second half, as Thompson crashed over out wide to provide the finish a spellbinding move deserved.
Steele again was perfectly positioned to profit from a break to put the visitors out of sight, with Hurricanes’ back Andy Powell skipping through for a late consolation.
“I thought Abu Dhabi deserved to win,” Dubai coach Apollo Perelini said. “It was awesome to have everyone here today for the Bill McLaren Foundation.”
The BMF was set up in 2010 to help promote the sport and raise money following the death of McLaren, who was nicknamed the ‘Voice of Rugby’ during an iconic commentary career.
Friday's game ended a week of events, that has included a golfing day, lunch and dinner at various locations in the UAE.
McLaren’s grandson and former Scotland scrum-half, Rory Lawson, was pleased with how the inaugural tour has gone.
“The support has been terrific,” the 33-year-old said. “It is the start of something that we want to build on, looking forward.”
