Saki Naisau magic helps Dubai Tigers end Abu Dhabi Harlequins resistance

Tigers keep pace with Bahrain at the top of the West Asia Premiership with victory in the capital

Dubai Tigers running with the ball during the West Asia Premiership game against Abu Dhabi Harlequins at Zayed Sports City Rugby Fields. Ruel Pableo for The National

Tigers player James McCarthy kicks the ball against Harlequins. Ruel Pableo for The National

Tigers players defend on the try line as Harlequins push for a try. Ruel Pableo for The National

Dubai Tigers celebrate the win over Abu Dhabi Harlequins. Ruel Pableo for The National

Harlequins and Tigers players contest a line-out. Ruel Pableo for The National

Harlequins and Tigers players in action at Zayed Sports City Rugby Fields. Ruel Pableo for The National

Harlequins win a line-out against Tigers at Zayed Sports City Rugby Fields. Ruel Pableo for The National

Harlequins and Tigers during the West Asia Premiership game at Zayed Sports City Rugby Fields. Ruel Pableo for The National

A Harlequins player runs with the ball against the Tigers. Ruel Pableo for The National

A Tigers player attempts to tackle a Harlequins player. Ruel Pableo for The National

Harlequins and Tigers compete at Zayed Sports City Rugby Fields. Ruel Pableo for The National

A Harlequins player runs with the ball during the game against the Tigers. Ruel Pableo for The National

Tigers player Tauteau Talifa runs with the ball. Ruel Pableo for The National

A Harlequins player runs with the ball against the Tigers. Ruel Pableo for The National

Tauteau Talifa of the Tigers runs with the ball. Ruel Pableo for The National

Dubai Tigers were reliant on some trademark brilliance from Saki Naisau as they eventually tempered the threat of Abu Dhabi Harlequins.

Last season’s runners-up moved back level on points with Bahrain at the top of the West Asia Premiership following their 25-10 win at Zayed Sports City.

The away side suggested they might run away with it as they eased into a 10-0 lead at the start of the game, via a try from Tauteau Taufa plus kicks by Chanley Williams.

The hosts struck back impressively, though, and were level on points at half time having scored a try in the right corner through Chris McKee.

Their resistance was broken by a familiar source just after half time. Naisau, the Fiji-born UAE international who has been one of the outstanding backs in regional rugby for the best part of a decade, scored a brilliant solo try.

Jerome Harimate ended any prospect of a Quins comeback with a third try for the visitors.

The uplifting display by Quins against one of the most formidable sides in the Middle East was tempered by an injury to a key player.

James McCarthy, Quins’ former Wales sevens international, sustained a rib injury in a tackle in the first half against the Tigers.

He is now a doubt for their Emirates Dubai Sevens campaign, where they will be hoping to go one better than last year when they were losing finalists against the Tigers.