Travers takes spotlight in Quins defeat

Matt Jones - Editor 07:35 02/10/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Matt Travers is trying to fill the void left by Durandt Gerber.

    Dubai Exiles went into the game dealing with the news they’ll be without talisman Durandt Gerber until 2017, but Jacques Benade saw enough from protege Matt Travers in defeat to rivals Abu Dhabi Harlequins to suggest the young Englishman can step into the South African’s sizeable shoes.

    There were the perhaps obvious signs of struggle early on as Travers missed his first three attempts at goal, though two were from extremely difficult positions.

    The 21-year-old didn’t hide though and confidently nailed his next three as he visibly grew into the game during the second half in the lion’s den atmosphere of Zayed Sports City.

    Travers is in the UAE on a placement year from studying sports management at Loughborough University, working for Dubai Sevens promoters Promoseven Sports Marketing.

    His family have called the Emirates home though since 2009, and his head coach believes he is already beginning to find his feet in the Exiles first team.

    “I thought Matt Travers controlled it (the game) very well, maybe better second half than the first, he was under pressure against the wind, but it was tough and he’s tough,” said Benade of his young fly-half, who hails from Solihull in the West Midlands.

    “The longer the game went on the more he grew into it and he’s a promising player. I’m delighted that we signed him.”

    Stepping into the void left by Gerber – arguably the finest player in the Gulf region – is daunting enough. Making your first start in a game as big as Quins v Exiles that was frenetic from start to finish just ramped up the pressure for Travers, but he took it all in his stride.

    He was instrumental in Exiles’ second try, having touched down himself minutes earlier before the referee ruled it out. Despite Willie Umu scoring what turned out to be Quins’ decisive third try in the dying embers of the game, Travers was the spearhead as he marched his troops downfield one final time.

    But for a pass to full-back Matt Richards that was a fraction forward with the last play of the game, Exiles could have been celebrating rescuing a second draw against Quins in a matter of weeks.

    But the margin for error at the level Exiles and Quins live at is marginal. Benade though has no doubt Travers can make the step up.

    “We didn’t put too much pressure on him this week, we went on like normal, and he’s that type of player,” said Benade of the former Jumeirah College student who previously took a year out to play in Australia for Sydney University in 2013 before heading to university in his homeland.

    “He will step up and he enjoyed it. He plays with a smile on his face. He’ll make mistakes, of course he will, he’s 21, he’s just finished his second year at university, but he’s a quality player.

    “His attacking is good, his defence is solid, it’s just controlling the game we maybe need to work on him a bit, but he settled down in the second half and grew in confidence, started chucking the ball around a bit, and it was good to see.”

    Recommended