MATCH REPORT – ADHRC V DUBAI HURRICANES (U12)

25/01/2010

Quins Tame Dragons to progress to the Gulf Cup Final

Abu Dhabi Quins progressed to the Final of the Danway Gulf Cup with a hard fought battle against the Dubai Dragons. The victory ensured that the team’s season long unbeaten run continued. The tie was bolstered by the return to action of the talisman captain Alistair Thompson who had been sidelined for nearly two months through injury. A few other changes in the starting side saw Tony Matthews return at full back in the place of injured Tom Calnan, who dislocated his shoulder in the previous week’s encounter against Doha. Other changes saw ex Scotland club International Jeff Nicholson replace Chris Jones Griffiths at lock. In a positional change, Tom Fisher dropped in at centre from his usual place in the back row.

The game kicked off in perfect conditions cheered on by a large Abu Dhabi crowd who had just witnessed the capitals U18’s side convincingly beat the Arabian Gulf’s representative side.

The scoring was opened by the away side in the 9th minute after some superb work by the Dubai’s side’s fly half Andy Russell who was to be a major influence in the game. His outstanding acceleration and electric skills made the home side dig deep in defence throughout the game. Only a minute later Abu Dhabi were back on level terms when man of the match, John O’Connor powered over after some excellent work by the Quins for his first of three tries, with Murray Strang adding the extra two points. The game then unfolded at a frenetic pace with both sides battling for possession. The Dragons were winning the battle at the breakdown with some excellent foraging and counter-rucking and Abu Dhabi dominated at first phase line out and scrum, with some excellent work by the tight five, especially the imperious Graham Murphy whose text book scrummaging was worthy of any international fixture. The away side quickly silenced the home supporters by taking the lead with a try under the posts. Abu Dhabi were soon on level terms again with a try from a ball stolen in the lineout by Jamie Clarke who skipped past the dragons defence to put the score at 12 - 12 at half time.

The interval was a turning point in the game. Abu Dhabi dominated the second half with some exciting running in attack and stoic defence. The centre pairing of O’Connor and Fisher were terrorising the away sides defence by bursting through tackles and some innovative ball handling keeping the ball alive. The pressure paid off handsomely with tries from O’Connor in the 54th and 73rd minutes, which sealed the victory 24-12.

The Quins will face Bahrain in the final after they defeated the Dubai Exiles at home 37-10.

Abu Dhabi now faces the old foe Dubai Exiles in the Prosperity league next weekend.

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