Reigning champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins showed that they remain the benchmark as they got their Nissan Rugby League Cup season off to the perfect start with an emphatic win over Dubai Sharks.
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Tony Scott’s men completed a resounding 70-14 win to send out a statement of intent to the rest of the teams.
Scott had spoken on the eve of the competition of how his team that won the Cup two seasons ago had changed dramatically in that time, but his talented young crop of stars showed they’ve really matured.
Quins’ exciting youngsters were prominent on the scoresheet, with William Umu and new boy Matt Smith touching down for hat-tricks in the 12-try romp.
There were braces for two more new boys in Scott Brodie and Abu Dhabi Saracens’ rugby union star Dougie Steele, with McMillan Chiwawa, Ben Santamarina and Izzy Foa’i also getting in on the action.
After a scoreless first half for the Sharks, they did at least get on the board through Ray Gilbert, Chris Hobeiche and Humam Alzaain after the break. Coach Scott described his team’s performance as “clinical”.
“The result was never in doubt and it was great to get a convincing win in our first game, it’s a big confidence boost,” said Scott. “I think we’re untouchable if we can back this result up over the next few weeks.”
Try-scorer Chiwawa added: “It was a pretty good way to open the season and it was a great team effort. We dominated.”
Despite the defeat, Sharks’ chairman Mike Quinn feels his side are far from out of their depth.
“It was our first time in a rugby league competition and we certainly didn’t embarrass ourselves,” said Quinn. “We looked good in attack and it was in defence where we perhaps were lacking a bit of structure and organisation.”
Quinn chose to dwell on the positives and believes the result will stand Sharks in good stead. “It was a learning experience for us and it will only get better from here,” he added.
Resultats #NissanRugbyleagueCup 2015 Al Ain Amblers 34-48 Xodus Wasps Abu Dhabi Harlequins 70-14 Dubai Sharks @UAERL #Rugbyleague
— XIII Events (@XIIIEvents) April 17, 2015
There was certainly plenty of action on opening night, with the early game between Al Ain Amblers and Xodus Wasps offering up even more points – 82 to be precise as Wasps recorded a 48-34 win.
James Agus’ side are believed to rank alongside Quins as favourites for Cup glory, but it took a late showing to sting them into action against Keleto Dyer’s Amblers, who led for a large part of the match.
Amblers led 34-32 and had two tries disallowed before Wasps struck with a couple of late scores.
“We lost but it was a close game and we were competitive which is what I’d asked from the players,” said Dyer. He praised Ranato Tikoisolomone, who grabbed several tries, as well as Azmat Niazi and Kini Natuna.
“We should have had it really and it was encouraging, we showed there’s more to come from us this season,” added Dyer.
