Rugby: Abu Dhabi Harlequins tame the Jebel Ali Dragons in UAE Premiership

04:13 04/12/2013
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  • Abu Dhabi Harlequins held off a late fightback from Jebel Ali Dragons at Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, to seal a crucial bonus point victory in the race for the UAE Premiership title.

    Murray Strang converted his own try in the second half to move Quins into a 25-6 lead, and take his personal tally for the game to 10 points, with no more than 15 minutes left. However, with the crowd filling up as fans streaked into ZSC to take in the WWE action next door, Dragons replacement Taif Delaime scored a brilliant solo try to set up a frantic finale.

    With time running out Andy Russell – who had earlier contributed two first-half penalties – went over the whitewash, but it proved to be the last play and good enough only for a losing bonus point.

    Quins director of rugby Chris Davies said: “We went back to concentrating on basic elements of the game and certainly we were a lot more clinical. We gave away a few unnecessary penalties at the breakdown which was a bit disappointing on our front but as soon as we had ball and turnover ball it counted quite well and the boys fronted up.” Of the importance of the win, he added: “It keeps us on track, that’s the main thing.”

    Both sides were depleted for the top of the table clash, with Dragons coach Shane Thorton required to dig out his boots and fill in at openside flanker. The visitors started stronger but they were made to pay for a lack of a cutting edge as Quins broke upfield and Joel Pikari streaked over for the game’s first score.

    Russell reduced the deficit with a penalty, but after missing a penalty attempt of his own from halfway, Strang showed excellent awareness to chip ahead for Andrew Peters to grab the first of his two tries. Russell scored another penalty, but Peters went over again on the stroke of half-time to give Quins a nine-point lead at the interval.

    Quins fly-half Strang stretched his side’s lead with a second-half penalty before he converted his own score to make the score 25-6. Delaime scored a virtuoso try to haul the Dragons back into the game with around 10 minutes to go, but while Russell took his personal haul to 13 points with a try at the death, it was too little too late.

    Elsewhere, Dubai Wasps fell victim to a last-minute try to lose 25-23 to TOA Dubai. Dubai Exiles were awarded a bonus-point 20-0 victory after Al Ain Amblers forfeited.

    Result

    ABU DHABI HARLEQUINS 25
    Tries: Pikari, Peters 2, Strang. Con: Strang. Pen: Strang
    JEBEL ALI DRAGONS 18
    Tries: Delaime, Russell. Con: Russell. Pens: Russell 2 Abu Dhabi Harlequins upstaged Jebel Ali Dragons at Zayed Sports City yesterday

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