Paul Hart insists Dragons are back on road to success as they take on old foes Quins

Matt Jones - Editor 19:07 21/03/2017
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  • Fired up: Dragons' Paul Hart

    Dragons, synonymous with success in UAE rugby circles for so long, have fallen on hard times in recent years.

    But Friday’s last four clash with old foes Abu Dhabi Harlequins is sure to stir memories of when the two were totems of UAE rugby, regularly meeting in significant games for silverware.

    Dragons won back-to-back trebles of UAE Premiership, Dubai Sevens and Gulf Top 6 titles in 2012/13 and 2013/14 before the veneer of invincibility was slowly stripped away over the following two campaigns.

    They are rebuilding impressively under former dual code rugby star Henry Paul though and a 29-12 defeat of Abu Dhabi Saracens last week confirmed a fourth-placed finish in the West Asia Premiership and a shot at Cup glory.

    And director of rugby Hart claims they are fully deserving of that shot.

    “We have beaten (Dubai) Exiles and Sarries twice each, put 40 on (Dubai) Hurricanes and led Quins for 100 minutes when the ref played a 107-minute game (Quins won 31-30 in November),” said Hart, also still playing at prop for Dragons.

    “We led Doha twice until the last 10 minutes and led Bahrain until the final 10 minutes. Big losses to Bahrain and Quins away are the only nightmares although we played very badly in a loss to Canes too.

    “So we are clearly the best team in Dubai according to league points and clearly deserve our place in both the UAE Premiership final and now West Asia Cup semi-finals.”

    Dragons and Quins were also come face to face in the UAE Premiership final in April, with Dragons finishing second, 10 points ahead of Dubai Exiles, and Hart believes Dragons are the most improved side in the Gulf.

    “I would say the season we’ve had is the largest improvement of all teams in the region,” he added.

    “We were second by 10 clear points and into the UAE final too. After two disappointing years we deserve some credit for reaching the UAE Premiership final and West Asia semi.”

    Quins are chasing the quintuple – hoping to add the West Asia Cup and UAE Premiership titles to their West Asia Premiership, Dubai Sevens and Asia Rugby Western Clubs Champions League crowns.

    They’re also in ominous form, having thrashed fellow semi-finalists Bahrain 45-17 last Friday, while they torched Dragons 47-7 when the two sides met just four weeks ago.

    Quins and Ed Talbot (c) have won three trophies and are aiming for five

    Quins and Ed Talbot (c) have won three trophies and are aiming for five

    Head coach Mike McFarlane, however, is not reading too much into that.

    “It’s knockout rugby so it’s winner takes all and anything can happen,” he warned.

    “It will be a cracking game as always. Dragons offer an attacking threat; one which has served them well this season. Henry has done a great job there after a few disappointing seasons and it’s good to get back the fierce rivalry between the clubs.

    “The boys have come off two excellent wins versus Dragons and Bahrain now at home and will look to push hard again in the business end of the season.”

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