DUBAI // Perhaps Chris Gregory should have spiked Taif Al Delamie's muesli after all. The battle of the two housemates, as well as that between Dubai's two leading clubs, was settled when Al Delamie ran in a late try under the posts to give Jebel Ali Dragons their first UAE Premiership win of the season.
By rights, Gregory, the Hurricanes' captain, should have to do the dishes at least all week at their villa in Jumeirah, if not until the sides next meet on the field.
Al Delamie, who was a former teammate of Gregory's with the defunct Arabian Gulf representative side, insists his good friend will be afforded a stay of execution for now, though.
"I won't be rubbing it in until we have a medal round our necks and I can hang it from the stairs for him to see all the time," said the Dragons winger, who was a victim of just such a ruse when the Hurricanes won the title last season.
"It was just good to get the win because it is always a tough game against the Hurricanes. They always play a good game plan against us, and we made lots of errors so we were happy to end up with the win."
Although their victory was well-merited, the home side trailed the defending champions for much of the game following an intercept try by Harry Wood in the first half.
The Hurricanes were able to maintain an advantage on the scoreboard thanks largely to their canny midfield trio of James Ham, Duncan Murray and Wood, as well as some untimely errors by the home side.
They could only hold them for so long, though, and Al Delamie secured the points when he finished off a breakaway started by the unlikely figure of Paul Hart, the Dragons' captain, rampaging up the centre of the field.
The manner of Al Delamie's finish, comprising strong support running, a sidestep and a hand off to finish, might have left the away side questioning why their captain had not indulged in some sabotage when he had the chance.
Maybe had they put laxatives in Byron Kraemer's Lucozade they might have stood a chance.
The former Dubai College schoolboy, who travels from his home in Ras Al Khaimah to play for the Dragons, was a ubiquitous presence for the victors.
It meant the absence of Richie Leyland, the new No 8 who was so impressive in their opening day defeat to Abu Dhabi Harlequins, due to a knee injury was barely felt.
"Last week [when the Dragons lost on the opening day at Abu Dhabi Harlequins] was first gear and this was still only second," said Hart, the captain. "There are lots of areas we need to improve on and we are our own worst enemy at times. We will do something good like drive the ball through the forwards 50 yards up field, then give possession away.
"Hopefully we can reach fifth gear in time for the [UAE Premership grand final, between the top two sides in the six-team competition]."
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