Abu Dhabi Saracens forced to forfeit Asia Rugby cup tie

Matt Jones - Editor 22:15 16/09/2015
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  • Disappointment: Abu Dhabi Saracens.

    Abu Dhabi Saracens’ first foray into the Asia Rugby Western Clubs Champions League ended in farce on Tuesday as their cancelled game against Kandy Sports Club resulted in a forced forfeit.

    Sarries had come into Asia Rugby’s inaugural champions tournament in buoyant mood, following their West Asia Cup triumph against Doha in March.

    However, after a 19-14 defeat to Doha in their opening Champions League fixture last Friday in Qatar, Tuesday’s home clash with Sri Lankan champions Kandy in Abu Dhabi was called off because there was no ambulance pitchside.

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    Sarries had hoped to reschedule the game Wednesday, but Asia Rugby pulled the plug.

    “We considered it but we haven’t got the time to rearrange the game as there are matches on Friday, so unfortunately Saracens have had to forfeit the match,” said Asia Rugby’s development consultant Ghaith Jalajel.

    “There will be no restructured game. Kandy will receive a 20-0 win.”

    Friday’s finale at 7he Sevens will still go ahead, Sarries’ clash with Kazakhstan’s Olymp to be played at 17:00, with Kandy and Doha to follow at 19:00.

    False start: Abu Dhabi Sarries.

    Doha lead the table on 11 points, Kandy one point behind in second, so whoever triumphs will become the first ever champion rugby club in Western Asia.

    Despite seeing their Champions League dreams evaporating and having nothing to play for on Friday, joint head coach Craig Nutt said Sarries will use the
    Olymp game as further pre-season preparation for next Friday’s mouth-watering opening UAE Premiership clash with capital city rivals Harlequins.

    “What’s done is done, we can’t do anything about it. We’ve got no chance of winning this competition now but we’ll play on Friday because it’s still our pre-season and we want to get some game time in,” said Nutt.

    “A lot of boys were keen to play who didn’t play in Doha. We’ll just look forward to the next game now.”

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