Dubai Sevens: Irresistible Abu Dhabi Harlequins miss double, but catch the real prize

Paul Radley reports on the Gulf Men's League final on Saturday at Dubai Rugby Sevens, which Abu Dhabi Harlequins won 26-14 against UAE rivals Jebel Ali Dragons.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins, green and red, have won the last three Gulf Men's League finals at Dubai Rugby Sevens. Victor Besa for The National / December 3, 2016

DUBAI // Abu Dhabi Harlequins fell a few minutes short of delivering on their coach’s hope that they would have two teams in the same Pitch 1 final.

They still clinched a hat-trick of titles in the Gulf Men’s League, though, as they beat their regular UAE rivals Jebel Ali Dragons 26-14.

The side from the capital have played in the past six finals of this competition, and this made it an even split of three title wins, to the previous three losses.

Their second-string side had even held a lead in their 9.20am semi-final, but fell short of playing their clubmates after Imad Reyal and Niko Volavola tries took the Dragons through.

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The first-team were irresistible, making good on coach Mike McFarlane’s pre-tournament confidence, as tries from Cameron Roberts, Brian Geraghty, Patrick Jenkinson and Conan Osborne gave them the title.

“It is just great to get on that main field,” said McFarlane, who has won two finals as coach, having lost two as a player to the same opposition.

“Last year I was new to coaching, and there is panic because you know you are responsible for that performance.

“This year, even at half-time it was completely chilled. We gave them two targets, and the system was so efficient, which allows us to play to our strengths.

“Their work rate sets these boys apart from other clubs. They work for each other, and that is all they talk about. They don’t talk about wins.”

Coincidentally, the Quins coach in the first of their three successes spent all weekend on Pitch 1. Jeremy Manning was re-hired as Fiji’s kicking coach for the duration of this tournament, and spent each of their matches ferrying drinks to their players.

Andrew Semple’s switch from working in a factory in Northern Ireland to move to the UAE to play for Quins was rewarded with a man of the match display in front of thousands of spectators on the main field.

“I fancied a change, and wanted to come to the good weather,” the Quins playmaker said of his August move to Abu Dhabi.

“I didn’t really know much about this tournament. The boys have been going around for a while saying it’s a great weekend, but until you come here, you don’t really know how big it is. The atmosphere is great. Getting to Pitch 1 is the top point.”

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