Gulf Rugby Weekly Roundup 30.10.18
This week’s action across the Gulf rugby scene, including for the first time a look at the women’s sevens league.
Jump right in…
Team of the Week – DSC Eagles Women
On current form the Eagles ladies would have a claim to be one of the most dominant sports teams in the Middle East in any sport. The reigning Womens Rugby Sevens Series and Dubai 7s champions swept to victory this week in round two of this year’s competition, just as they did in round one. Eagles did at least concede points this week with runners up Dubai Hurricanes and the Dubai Cones managing to cross the whitewash against them, a feat not achieved by any side in the opening round.
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West Asia Premiership
Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Bahrain continue to set the early pace, both recording impressive wins this weekend. Quins gained revenge for their UAE Premiership final loss to Exiles with a 44-20 win at The Sevens Stadium, while Bahrain comfortably saw off Dubai Hurricanes at home. Jebel Ali Dragons halted their recent slump but were made to work hard by DSC Eagles. The top two meet in what promises to be a crunch fixture next week.
Conference
Just three fixtures were recorded in this round of Conference games as Exiles 2s were forced to forfeit during their fixture against Quins 2s due to injury woes in the 67th minute. All other matches went as the formbook might have suggested. Dubai Tigers 1s and Abu Dhabi Saracens 1s notched comfortable wins over Al Ain Amblers 1s and Arabian Knights respectively to cement their positions at the head of their group. Dragons 2s remain unbeaten but much as in the corresponding 1s fixture, did not have it all their own way in getting past Eagles 2s 27-19.
Community
A further three games at Community level where Barrelhouse and Jebel Ali Dragons 3s maintained their unbeaten records, Barrelhouse impressing again in seeing off reigning champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins 3s 29-7. Quins slip to fourth in the standings behind RAK who saw off Sharks 2s.
Womens Sevens Series
Round two of the womens sevens league, hosted by Hurricanes, saw no fewer than 30 matches take place on an action packed day at the Sevens. A full round robin A League and B league were completed with six sides competing in each. DSC Eagles continued their stranglehold on the women’s game in winning League A and remain unbeaten this year.
League B was a much tighter affair with RAK and Sharjah emerging as the two stand out sides, in what was both of their first league appearances of the season. RAK emerged victorious with just conversion splitting the sides in a 12-10 decider.
Article by: Huw Harrow
