Yalla Rugby Club Of The Year 2018

 

 

Have Your Say – Yalla Rugby Club Of The Year

With the curtain coming down on another season of UAE rugby, all that remains is for you, our Yalla Rugby readers, to decide who should claim the inaugural Yalla Rugby UAE Club of the Year award.

We’ve whittled it down to four nominees based on performances across all levels of the game throughout the season – but your votes will decide the outcome. The winning club will receive the Yalla Rugby Club Of The Year Award and a Bar Tab of (AED 1000) thanks to the generous sponsorship of McGettigans Hilton JBR.

Here are the contenders. Once you’ve made your decision, head over to cast your vote here!

Dubai Sports City Eagles

A debut season that has not been without its ups and downs for the Eagles but judged in context of a club that was formed just weeks before the start of this campaign you’d have to say it has been a very credible effort from the newcomers. They have already claimed two pieces of silverware in the women’s game with a dominant side sweeping all before them to claim the Gulf Womens Dubai 7s and Cross Border 7s series. Of the seven rounds held as part of that series, Eagles ladies won six. Whilst success for men’s sides might be more of a long term project, they have fielded two fully competitive sides in both the Community League and Premiership, finishing above the bottom in both competitions.

Dubai Exiles

Having triumphed at arguably the season’s two biggest showpiece occasions this year, Exiles have to be part of this conversation. The manner in which both trophies were won will have been particularly satisfying, coming from behind to edge out a hotly fancied Jebel Ali Dragons side at the Dubai 7s and overcoming fierce rivals and reigning champions Abu Dhabi Harlequins in the UAE Premiership Final. With their 2s side also having a decent campaign in making the Conference semi-finals, the strength of Exiles’ player pool at the business end of the season was reflected by their leading representation in the UAE squad for the recent friendly win over Gibraltar.

RAK Rugby

Another club building for the future on an upward curve. RAK’s days as perennial strugglers in the Community League are long gone, they are now one of the strongest outfits in the division and were in contention for a place at finals day until the closing stages. Indeed they hold the distinction of being the only side to record a win over eventual Community League champions, Harlequins 3s. Improvement on the field is being coupled with rapid progress off it. Moves are in place to establish a permanent (grass pitch) home venue in RAK and the club fielded a women’s side for the very first time this year, competing in the Cross Border 7s Series.

Dubai Tigers

Having claimed back to back Conference Bottom Half trophies in previous seasons, Tigers came in to this season determined to prove they could cut it at a higher level. An unbeaten run that stretched from November through to a nail-biting Conference Final win over Sharjah Wanderers well and truly underlined that status. This represents a significant step forward for a club only in its fifth year in existence and with a strong focus on its vibrant minis and junior sections. Tigers have also been competitive in the women’s game throughout the campaign, running the dominant Eagles close on a number of occasions.