Jebel Ali Dragons and Bahrain fall at Dubai Sevens' final hurdle

Matt Jones 00:35 03/12/2018
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  • Louie Tonkin saw his Bahrain side fall at the semi-final stage of the Dubai Sevens.

    It wasn’t to be for either Bahrain or Jebel Ali Dragons at this year’s Dubai Sevens, but both teams were magnanimous in both defeat and their praise lavished on 2018 winners Dubai Hurricanes.

    Dragons – favourites last year but beaten in an epic to-and-fro contest with Dubai Exiles – went down to a slender 21-19 defeat to Canes in Saturday morning’s semi-final.

    Bahrain, meanwhile, defeated by Canes in the quarter-finals a year ago, progressed to the last four this year, only to be beaten 12-10 by Abu Dhabi Harlequins.

    “We were gutted to not go all the way as I felt the guys played well enough to win it and deserved more,” Bahrain coach Louie Tonkin said of the efforts of his team.

    “But very proud of the way my players conducted themselves and dedicated themselves to the weekend.”

    Bahrain finished second behind Mike Wernham’s men in Pool A but said he was happy for the side who last lifted the Gulf Men’s League title in 2007.

    “I’m delighted for Canes and it’s great to see them do well. They looked really good, they had a good mix of youth and experience and I just think they had more pace than everyone and were well coached.”

    Dragons skipper Ross Samson was disappointed not to reach successive finals, but also offered his congratulations to Canes.

    “We were frustrated we didn’t get in to the final, we should have beaten Canes in the semi but fair play to them going on and getting the job done in the final,” he said.

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