DUBAI // The destination for all the major prizes in Gulf rugby will be decided by the end of March when Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Bahrain meet each other three times within the space of five weeks. The region's two leading clubs sealed a Danway Gulf Cup final showdown with each other following victories in their respective semi-finals at the weekend. The reigning league champions Abu Dhabi quelled the attacking threat of Dubai Dragons to claim a 24-12 win, with John O'Connor touching down a hat-trick of tries.
Jamie Clarke also crossed the whitewash for Quins, who welcomed their captain and coach Ali Thompson back into the starting line-up for the first time following a neck injury. "We were clinical when we got our chances, but Dragons were never out of it," said the Quins chairman Richard Harris. "For 20 minutes in the second half all we did was defend, they were attacking us from all angles." Wayne McDonald, the towering former Leeds Rhinos rugby league player, scored the only try for Dubai Exiles as the exited the cup with a 37-10 loss in Bahrain.
The margin of defeat was harsh on the travelling Exiles, who have been inspired by the recent return to fitness of captain Ed Nicholas following a lengthy spell out with a back injury. "Despite the scoreline, which I thought flattered them, it was a really good game to be involved in," said the Exiles coach Wayne Marsters. "We dominated them in the scrums and lineouts and at the breakdown, which I was really pleased with.
"I wanted to take them on up front because I didn't think we could match them in the backs, and we did that well." pradley@thenational.ae