Kristian Stinson is anticipating the most exciting West Asia title battle in years following Dubai Exiles’ “statement” victory over Jebel Ali Dragons.
Exiles have fought their way back into contention for West Asia Premiership honours in the early weeks of 2018 following successive wins over Abu Dhabi Saracens, Dubai Eagles and Dubai Hurricanes.
What had been missing, however, was a victory over one of the three early-season pacesetters – Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Bahrain and Dragons.
The reverse fixture against Dragons at The Sevens in October saw Henry Paul’s men run out 22-18 winners in the game of the season so far. Exiles also suffered narrow defeats to Quins and Bahrain – downed 18-15 by Bahrain at home and 29-25 at Zayed Sports City in November.
But a bonus point 35-15 win over Dragons in their backyard on Friday will certainly make people sit up and take notice of Jacques Benade’s 2015/16 Asia and UAE champions.
And prop Stinson insists it was mission complete for Exiles.
“It’s definitely a statement win,” said the Northern Irishman. “We went out with a mission and we executed it perfectly. We wanted to dominate them, bully them up front and try and break them early, which we did.
“It sends a message. I don’t know who to or what the message is, but it’s just a case of putting our heads down, focusing and having that belief we can see games through.”
Despite earning a losing bonus point each time as they lost to the early top three by less than seven points in the first half of the season – Exiles lost all three matches by a combined margin of 11 points – Stinson insists the squad didn’t feel they played that well in those defeats.
“For us, it’s really a tale of two seasons,” he said, claiming the 19-12 victory over Dragons in the final of the Gulf Men’s League competition at December’s Dubai Sevens was the turning point.
Title charge: Dubai Exiles’ Kristian Stinson (l).
“In the early games we only were losing by a few points, but we weren’t actually playing that well, weren’t playing as a team, very individual performances.
“But since the Sevens we’ve been galvanised by that and you’re starting to see real team performances and a team coming together in training.
“A few months ago we were a bunch of individuals with a few key partnerships missing and now we’re starting to see those partnerships forming, a bond and an idea of a team, that’s the key.”
Victory saw Exiles storm to the top of the Premiership table on 33 points, three ahead of Quins, who were on a bye week, and four ahead of Dragons.
Bahrain’s 66-0 win at home against Sarries saw them cut the gap to Dragons in third to two points, meaning the top four are separated by just six points, with Bahrain, Quins and Dragons all having played eight games to Exiles’ nine.
Next up for Exiles is a daunting trip to Bahrain in two weeks’ time, while they still have to face Quins at home, and Stinson insists he and his teammates won’t get carried away with Friday’s triumph.
He added: “Don’t get me wrong, Bahrain away is a really difficult fixture and we have to step it up again to get close to them. Louie (Tonkin, Bahrain coach) and his boys at home is a daunting prospect, then we finish with Quins and Sarries, so it’s not an easy run-in.
“If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it the hard way. Last night was good, it gives us self-belief and it’s great for team spirit and morale. It really is all to play for, the most exciting competition for years as come the final week I reckon four teams could still be in with a chance to win it.”
