It’s hard to decipher whether the UAE will head to Malaysia and the Asia Rugby Championships next week buoyed or deflated by defeat to Lloyd’s RFC.
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Roelof Kotze’s men finished on the wrong side of an 11-try thriller against the tourists last night, but will head east knowing that they are unlikely to face as stern a physical test as they did at 7he Sevens.
What will have disappointed the newly-formed side most is how they stormed into a 31-17 half-time lead, having initially been stunned after falling 12-0 behind, only to record no points in the second half.
The UAE played very well in stages, particularly in the 20 minutes before half-time when they scored five tries to wipe out an early deficit. It was a promising opening from the hosts as they went through a number of phases, but Lloyd’s soon took a grip.
FT: UAE 31-36 Lloyds RFC
— UAE Rugby Federation (@uaerugby) May 1, 2015
After falling behind to tries from Tom George and James Tiarks, Kotze’s team took the game by the scruff of the neck.
Just as soon as they had fallen behind, the UAE punched in five tries in the space of 20 minutes to leave the visitors on the ropes.
Dubai Hurricanes hooker Jonathan Greenwood got the UAE on the scoreboard, James Elliott-Square adding the extras.
Jebel Ali Dragons’ centre Michael Botha got a debut try four minutes later, finishing off a move after a break from fellow Dragon Niall Statham, who was also making his UAE debut.
Clint Berkenshaw’s conversion was successful and the UAE led 14-12, but they were far from finished.
UAE player of the year Jaen Botes won a lineout and the Abu Dhabi Saracens’ skipper, another debutant, set up Statham for a try.
The hosts were rampant and the burly Botes charged through to gleefully dive over and score as the UAE began to turn the screw. Al Ain Amblers wing Hareb Al
Azri streaked clear for the UAE’s fifth try to leave Lloyd’s shell-shocked, the Emirati put clear from a lovely pass from veteran Abu Dhabi Harlequins scrum-half Ed Lewsey.
Lloyd’s narrowed the gap to 31-17 at the break through Dave Duffus and a raft of changes at half-time cut the UAE’s momentum as they allowed the away side back into the game.
Under @coachroelof & @Apollo11Rugby‘s watch, @uaerugby‘s XV’s friendly chalked up technical results despite 5pt loss pic.twitter.com/gmaNMzwaH3
— Onside Sports (@onsidesportsdxb) May 1, 2015
They were largely on the back foot but defended stoically until Rob Thomas eventually cut through on the hour mark.
Dom Henley made it level on the try-count with 10 minutes to go, but Ross Laidlaw’s missed conversion meant the UAE held a slender 31-29 lead. Then, disaster.
Tiarks charged down an attempted clearance kick from Arabian Knights’ Hassan Al Noobi and scampered 25 yards to the line to add late drama.
It was too late for a fightback and Kotze’s men were left to wonder just how they had lost the game.
