UAE Rugby Roundup – Week 5
All of this weekend’s UAE Rugby action and we name Yalla Rugby’s team of the week
Jump right in…
Team of the Week – Jebel Ali Dragons 1s
Henry Paul’s men get the nod this week after a comprehensive 68-0 dismantling of Dubai Sports City Eagles on Thursday night. When these two sides met in pre-season the Dragons came away with a 59-5 win over a disjointed Eagles outfit making their first ever outing as a club. Make no mistake that the Eagles are by now a very different outfit, brimming with confidence following much improved results in recent weeks, so the margin of victory here against the league newcomers should not be taken lightly and their first ever outing was cut short by 20 minutes. After a disappointing season last time around, the Dragons have announced themselves as genuine contenders this year and sit second in both UAE and West Asia Premiership league tables by the narrowest of margins from Dubai Exiles.
Premiership
Aside from Thursday night’s action at Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi Harlequins maintained their unbeaten start to the season but were made to work hard by visitors Dubai Hurricanes, eventually grinding out a 25-17 victory. Dubai Exiles were in West Asia Premiership action suffering a narrow 15-18 loss to Bahrain at the Sevens.
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Jebel Ali Dragons steal the headlines again here with their 3s running out victors over Dubai Hurricanes 3s by the quite remarkable score line of 57-55. That maintains an unbeaten start to the campaign for Dragons 3s and they find themselves neck and neck at the top of the standings with Beaver Nomads who also enjoyed a high scoring win 81-10 over the Shaheen. Elsewhere RAK continued a promising start to the season with a 34-0 shutout of Arabian Knights 2s indicative of a side that is becoming increasingly well drilled and undoubtedly building in the right direction. There was no upset in the all Abu Dhabi Harlequins clash at Zayed Sports City with Quins 3s holding off a brave challenge from their newly established 4s 32-15. The competitive nature of this fixture really underlining the strength in depth of the capital city club this year.
Women’s Cross Border Rugby
After winning the first round of the Women’s Cross Border Series a couple of weeks ago, the Eagles ladies managed to make it 2 from 2 as they hosted the 2nd round at Dubai Sports City. There was a great atmosphere down at Rugby Park, seeing plenty of scores and some hefty tackles. A notable mention needs to go to the RAK ladies on their first ever outing, playing some of their games with only 5 players and still picking wins.
