Abu Dhabi Harlequins Vs Dubai Hurricanes

09/10/2009

Abu Dhabi Harlequins Vs Dubai Hurricanes

Friday 09th October, 2009: The 7’s

Abu Dhabi continued the great start to season by beating Dubai Hurricanes for the second time within a month. Abu Dhabi buoyed from their away victory at Doha the previous week were confident of getting a result going into the match, but at the same time apprehensive of the unpredictable Canes side. Abu Dhabi had to make a change in the squad in the centres when Johan Fourie had to withdraw with a damaged knee sustained in training during the week.

The game started predictably with both sides playing an expansive attacking style of rugby and the physicality of the defensive by both sides was equally predictable. In a very even first 30 minutes the sides traded penalties and the usually reliable boot of fly half Murray Strang misfired briefly with a succession of missed opportunities. The play was temporarily suspended when John O’Connor playing in the centres was stretchered off with a suspected neck injury. Dave Stolzenberg replaced O’Connor and made an instant contribution with his powerful runs punching holes in the canes defence. At 35 minutes the Hurricanes had taken a 6 nil lead with two successful attempts. The game then started to unravel in favour of the away side with some incredible touch kicking from Strang and a moment of genius as he slipped four defenders to score near the posts. Strang then went on to add the extra two points with the conversion. Late in the first half after some good attacking play from the Quins and some indiscipline form the home side gave Strang the opportunity to stretch the lead to 10-6 at half time.

The second half started at a frenetic pace and the travelling side stamped their authority on the game. Tom Calnan making his first team debut scored a try in the corner after some great interplay with the Abu Dhabi backs to take the score to 15-6; Strang narrowly missed the opportunity to extend the lead with the conversion. Abu Dhabi then showed again why they are defending Gulf champions with a tight display of textbook rugby. The lineout continued to function well both in attack and defence and the scrum remained steady throughout the game. The second row partnership of Simon Osbourne and veteran Sean McMahon were stand out with good tight play and some great tackles. In the 60th Minute, after some sustained pressure by the Abu Dhabi side resulted in centre Tim Harwin sealing the victory with the third try to take the score to 20-6. Another penalty was added by Strang and Abu Dhabi were again hunting for the bonus point. In an exciting last 10 minutes they were nearly rewarded with another score in a move which went through the hands of virtually all of the players, including the tight five, only to be denied a metre out with a handling error. Hurricanes scored a consolation try in the last minute of play to advance their score to 11 points, the final score Abu Dhabi 23 Dubai Hurricanes 11.

Abu Dhabi’s campaign now moves to the capital of Oman where they will take on the resurgent Muscat side next week.

The Badger

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