Quins on the cusp of glory

May 05. 2009

Quins on the cusp of glory

DUBAI // Abu Dhabi Harlequins will confirm their status as the top rugby club in the region on Friday if they defeat Dubai Hurricanes, the defending champions, when the Arabian Gulf Premiership reaches its finale.

Alastair Thompson’s Quins side asserted control over the championship race with a hard-earned 18-12 win in Bahrain at the weekend.

The result was doubly sweet for the travelling side from the capital, as it the resurgent Bahrainis had wrestled the Gulf Cup from Quins’ possession earlier in the campaign.

Now they can add the Premiership crown to their Super Five title, as well as to the success of the club’s women’s team.

“By going to Bahrain and winning against a rejuvenated side, we have given ourselves the best possible chance,” said the Quins chairman, Richard Harris.

“We are one match away from having an absolutely fantastic season as a club. We could win the league, we have won the Super Five and our women won their league.

“From a club perspective it has been great. It was our aim to build on cup success last year with other wins this year. We didn’t want to be a one season wonder. We are moving in the right direction.”

Dubai Dragons still have a chance of upsetting Quins, but the odds are stacked against them. They have to win both matches in an energy-sapping double-header against Bahrain on Friday, but will still be reliant on their city rivals, the Hurricanes, doing them a favour.

The Dragons led the standings for much of the campaign, but have faltered with the finish line in sight, culminating in a 21-0 defeat in Doha at the weekend. James Wellings’s Dragons now lie eight points behind the leaders.

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