An audacious drop-goal from Steve Smith proved decisive as Dubai Hurricanes held on to beat Jebel Ali Dragons 8-7 and claim the UAE Premiership crown undefeated.
Following a tight first half at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence, the Hurricanes were leading 5-0 thanks to an unconverted Ollie Delapp try when veteran winger Smith made his move mid-way through the second period, dissecting the uprights from barely 10 metres inside Dragons territory.
With Abu Dhabi Harlequins having been awarded a bonus-point win against the Dubai Exiles, after Mike Cox-Hill’s side were unable to field a full team, the title was now realistically out of the home side’s grasp, as they needed four tries.
The Dragons battled gamely after going eight points down though, and cut the deficit to a single point when replacement fly-half Andy Russell scored an excellent interception try under the posts, before adding the conversion.
The hosts were made to pay for spurning a couple of relatively kickable penalties, as they began the game without a recognised No.10 – with Russell unable to make kick-off due to work commitments.
Indeed, the visitors could have added to their try, on two occasions finding themselves driving towards the line, only to put the ball down early as they were fooled by football markings left on the pitch.
Neither aberration proved costly though as they were able to see out a win that seals the league title, an incredible reversal of fortunes for a team that finished second-bottom in this season’s Gulf Top Six with just two wins from 10 matches.
Match-winner Smith, who came out of semi-retirement for the campaign, revealed his drop-kicking exploits were pre-planned. “It’s something we practised a lot; something we did once or twice. I couldn’t have asked for much more, lady luck was on my side.”
For Dragons, it was more heartbreak having missed out on Gulf Top Six glory back in January with a home defeat to Doha. Coach Shane Thorton was left to pay tribute to the Hurricanes’ achievement in going through the season unbeaten.
“It’s just been getting over that final hurdle for the Dragons this year,” he said. “Every hurdle we get over we come to the last and we can’t take that final step. I have to take my hat off to the Hurricanes though they played outstanding in the first half.
“We attacked, we attacked, we made breaks but they covered and played really well. I have to take my hat off to them they have come back well this year after their start and good on them for that.”
