Harlequins aiming for win over Bahrain in West Asia Championship

Matt Jones - Editor 09:09 17/03/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Out of their hands: Harlequins.

    That the title is even going down to the final day of the season is a feat in itself and all thanks to a superb first-half performance from Quins at Zayed Sports City two weeks ago.

    McFarlane’s side stormed into a 29-3 interval lead and survived a second-half fight-back from Exiles to claim a 32-24 victory to go within one point of Jacques Benade’s team.

    Quins must take care of business at home to Bahrain Friday, although everyone at the club will be praying Hurricanes can do them a favour and give Exiles as much of a test as they provided Quins within a 37-34 defeat a month ago.

    “Our last game was a fantastic performance but we always look at ways to better ourselves rather than getting carried away with results,” said McFarlane, whose side have only lost two games – both to capital city neighbours Saracens – all season.

    “It is business as usual and we look to continue our success. We want to finish the West Asia Championship strong and whatever Exiles do at The Sevens, they do.”

    Quins will have a near full strength side for the visit of Bahrain, who have tailed off after a promising start to the campaign.

    Although Quins have a title to play for, Bahrain player-coach Tom Ham says a win is equally as important for them.

    “We obviously know it’ll be tough against a confident Quins who need the win, but for us it’s just as important, we need the win to try and make the most of what has turned out to be a season which we feel we have thrown away a bit,” said Ham.

    “Unfortunately in this league with so few games, every game is so much more important and losing two games that were ours for the taking and we let slip have meant we are now fighting to be top half of the table rather than on the top.

    “But if we can get into the top half of the table and another win against one of the better teams in the league then it will mean a lot to the club and show some good progression since last year.”

    MUSCAT VS DOHA

    Doha need a lot of things to go their way but are the only team apart from Dubai Exiles or Abu Dhabi Harlequins who stand a chance of getting their hands on the West Asia Championship trophy.

    Doha sit third on 25 points, three behind Quins and four adrift of Exiles. Aaron Palmer’s men should march to the bonus point win needed against winless Muscat easily enough, but will be relying on Dubai Hurricanes and Bahrain to do them a favour in the other games.

    “We are going in knowing we can only control our result and hope Bahrain and Hurricanes may do us the biggest favour ever,” said Palmer (picture above).

    Muscat vice captain Karl Rasmussen insists his team will give Doha everything they have. “For those guys who are playing our main aim is to get that victory and finish on a high note,” he said.

    The other remaining game is between Jebel Ali Dragons and Abu Dhabi Saracens, who will be determined to keep hold of fourth spot.

    “We are looking to finish strong,” said joint head-coach Craig Nutt, whose side should be at full strength apart from lock Paddy McKeown who is out. Dragons director of rugby Paul Hart added: “We are determined to finish the WAC off well with a strong home performance.”

    Recommended