Abu Dhabi Harlequins hold on to win over spirited Dubai Exiles

Matt Jones - Editor 19:45 04/03/2016
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  • Luke Stevenson led Quins to the win with 22 points.

    The Quins fly-half was spotless from the tee all night, converting both of his side’s tries as well as potting six penalties to inflict a first defeat on Exiles in the competition.

    Quins stormed into a 29-3 half-time lead at Zayed Sports City, with Jacques Benade’s men paying for every mistake.

    Stevenson knocked over two early penalties and even though Durandt Gerber reduced the arrears with one of his own, that was as good as it got for the visitors in the opening period.

    The hosts scored the first try when winger Brook Keats went over after great work from centre Brian Geraghty, Stevenson extending the lead to 13-3.

    He added another penalty as Quins got into rhythm, flanker Ben Bolger dotting down for their second try after a powerful forwards surge from a lineout.

    Stevenson converted from a difficult angle and the home side were rampant.

    Exiles continued to transgress and Stevenson kicked two more as the score stretched to 29-3 and as the half-time whistle blew, Exiles were facing an uphill struggle.

    If anyone was capable of a fight-back it was Jacques Benade’s men, and to their credit they turned it on in the second 40 minutes.

    Nine minutes in they had their first try, flanker Xander Crockart squeezing over in the corner after their first sustained spell of pressure.

    Gerber had also brought his kicking boots and a touchline conversion bisected the uprights perfectly.

    Four minutes later it was 29-17 as Rhinus Bothma powered over, the referee awarding the try even though it looked like he might have lost control as he went to ground.

    Exiles were now controlling proceedings through their big pack and with 14 minutes to go it was game on as Gerber sliced through the defence to score their third try, his conversion cutting Quins lead to five.

    Stevenson got his eighth successful kick of the game soon after to crucially give his side a two-score lead, and even though Exiles hammered at Quins late on, Mike McFarlane’s men held for a deserved victory.

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