An excellent year for the Under 10's, and with over 50 registered players we had a hard core of around 30 regular attendees at training working hard to improve their skills and fitness. With a large talented group of players we were able to field two teams in the league and the major tournaments throughout the season.
The season got off to a flying start with the under 10's winning the first trophy in Harlequin colours when beating Hurricanes, Al Ain, Doha and Dubai Exiles on the way to winning the Al Ain 7's. We continued on the winning trail at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Harlequins Junior Rugby Festival beating Dubai exiles in a tense final.
As the season progressed a number of players showed dramatic improvement and were deservedly elevated to the A squad. Competition for places was very strong and the strength of the section was evident at the Dubai festival when both the A & B team qualified for the semi final of the cup competition. After suffering a comprehensive defeat to the exiles in the league only two weeks previously, the B's played magnificently to lose 10-0 in a very close game to eventual champions Dubai exiles. The A's scraped past Arabian Knights 5-0 in a very tight semi despite being down to the bare 10 players with key players suffering from sickness and sunstroke. With a depleted team the final v Exiles was a bridge too far as Exiles proved stronger and won the cup on their own turf. However, the fact that Abu Dhabi was able to fill two of the four semi final slots is something to be proud of especially for the B team.
Khalfan Al Suwaidi had the honour of being chosen to represent ADHRC as match day mascot on Abu Dhabi day at the Harlequins final league game of the season in London.
A successful season for the tens but still a lot of room for improvement as they move up to Under 11's but with the talent in the section more trophies will follow.
- Player of the Year – Alex Little
- Players’ Player of the Year – David Richards
- Most Improved Player – Irvin Olive
©2009 Abu Dhabi Harlequins All Rights Reserved.