Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Jebel Ali Dragons set to clash in UAE Premiership final

A 43-27 win over Dubai Hurricanes sent the 2017 champions into the title game where they will meet the Dragons, who beat Dubai Exiles 28-24

Abu Dhabi Harlequins beat Dubai Hurricanes to reach the UAE Premiership final. Satish Kumar / The National

Abu Dhabi Harlequins will bid to reclaim the UAE Premiership title when they face Jebel Ali Dragons next week, after both sides advanced to the final with wins on Friday.

Harlequins, who last won the title in 2017 as part of a cleansweep of all the major domestic titles, beat Dubai Hurricanes 43-27 in their playoff semi-final at Zayed Sports City.

The home side had finished the regular season 17 points clear at the top of the table, and have voiced frustration that they now have to navigate a playoff system to claim the title outright.

They took some of those frustrations out on Hurricanes in a powerful first-half display in which they notched four tries to one by their visitors.

By the end, they had managed six, with Andrew Semple, Kini Natuna, Moeneeb Galant, Ashbey Williams, Epeli Qatavi and Brian Geraghty all crossing.

Hurricanes managed five of their own in reply, via Andy Powell, Saki Naisau, Daniel Crouchman, Toby Oakley and Simon Greenhaigh, but were on able to convert one score.

In the other semi-final, Jebel Ali Dragons, the deposed West Asia champions, kept alive their chances of a major trophy as they beat Dubai Exiles 28-24 at The Sevens.

Harlequins and the Dragons will meet to decide the title at The Sevens on the UAE Rugby finals day on Friday, March 29.