Al Ain Amblers aim to be third time lucky in UAE Conference final

Jody Haddow, the Al Ain Amblers captain, hopes it will be third time lucky for his side on Friday when they face the Jebel Ali Dragons in today’s UAE Conference final.

Al Ain Amblers, in yellow, will be looking to run past the Jebel Ali Dragons in their UAE Conference final today. Satish Kumar / The National

ABU DHABI // Jody Haddow, the Al Ain Amblers captain, hopes it will be third time lucky on Friday for his side when they face the Jebel Ali Dragons in today’s UAE Conference final.

The Amblers have fallen short of winning the title twice in the last two years after reaching the final, but the second-row forward said they have the stuff to turn around the result in their favour this time.

“We are well-prepared and peaked at just the right time. I think it will be the strongest team we have put forward with everyone looking in great shape,” Haddow said.

The Amblers have played the Dragons twice this season and won both times.

They have also remained undefeated this season and feel feel quite confident having the home advantage.

“We look at the Dragons as a very competitive unit, but our prepared to face any challenge with a group of players that have done wonderfully well this season,” Haddow said.

“We are pretty much stuck to a core group. We only play those who are committed and show up for training, so the lineup will be the same.”

Abu Dhabi Harlequins meet Dubai Sharks in the Conference Plate final at the Zayed Sports City in a busy day that also includes a three-match card in the Gulf Top Six.

Abu Dhabi Saracens will look to consolidate their four-point lead at the top of the table when they meet Dubai Hurricanes away, with three games left this season.

Jean Botes, the Saracens’ captain and No 8, is not taking anything for granted despite their undefeated run of seven games in the competition.

“Nothing is won until we have won it,” the South African said.

“The players have done admirably well, yet they need to show respect and be humble in front of their opponents. It is true we are undefeated and on top of the table, but that doesn’t guarantee us the title.

“We are looking at this game as any other and despite having defeated the Hurricanes twice this season we never know what to expect from them.”

Botes was pleased with how his side came through their match against the Abu Dhabi Harlequins last week to take their tally to 33 points.

“We don’t take any chances against any opponent, particularly when you are successful,” he said.

“Sometimes we drop our guard when we play a side that we have beaten twice before. That will be a big mistake. I have always told my players to be humble and keep doing the job as best as they can.

“I think we have come a long way from a club that was established only four years ago and only the second year in the Gulf Top Six.”

Saracens will be without the services of full back Matt Hutchinson, who will not be available due to work commitments, but Botes said that will not make them any weaker.

In the other games, nearest challengers Doha travel to Bahrain, who have only won once all season, and Jebel Ali Dragons host Abu Dhabi Harlequins.

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