Ross Samson’s head was spinning on Friday night – and not just because he had been one of several players on either side left banged up by a brutally physical West Asia Cup semi-final clash between Jebel Ali Dragons and Dubai Exiles.
Dragons’ hopes of claiming a West Asia double were doused in a 31-20 defeat – a brilliant spectacle of UAE rugby that featured a red card for either side and two teams throwing everything they had at each other.
Deflated Dragons’ skipper Samson was left seeing stars by the final whistle, having taken a battering and suffering a possible concussion. But he praised Exiles – who go on to this Friday’s final against Bahrain – and insists he and his teammates must dwell on a positive 2017/18 campaign.
Dragons won the West Asia Premiership earlier this month in thrilling fashion – recording a 36-32 bonus point win in Bahrain a week earlier to snatch the title away from reigning champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins by just a point.
It was a first trophy for Dragons in four seasons and Samson insists that once the bruises from the Exiles encounter fade away, the league victory will last much longer in the memory.
“Everyone’s in agony after that, it was a ferocious game and we didn’t leave anything out on the pitch so we can be proud of that. And with the season too,” said the Scottish scrum-half.
“If you’d told me at the start of the season we’d be in the final of the (Dubai) Sevens and would win the league, we’d have probably taken it to be fair. It’s a tough league. Quins are good, Bahrain are class, these boys (Exiles) are very good.”
Quins rampaged to a quintuple of silverware last season, claiming the West Asia Premiership and Cup, winning the UAE Premiership and Sevens titles, as well as the Asia Rugby Western Clubs Champions League crown in pre-season.
Exiles beat Dragons to the Dubai Sevens trophy in December, Quins won the inaugural UAE Premiership Cup earlier this month and retained the Champions League. The UAE Premiership will be contested between Quins and Exiles next month, while the West Asia Cup goes to either Bahrain or Exiles.
With Dragons’ Premiership win, it’s been a thrillingly competitive season. And Samson claims their Premiership triumph is the competition every team holds dearest.
“There’s a lot to play for but winning the league is the hardest because you have to be the most consistent team for the whole season,” he added.
“A cup would have been nice to finish the season but we’re happy with what we’ve done.”
