The 2008/09 season saw yet another successful period for the ADHRC U18 squad. The season was going to be unique one as, for the first time in its history, the IRB had agreed to allow a regional tournament for U18s to run along side the IRB Sevens World Cup. This meant that the squad not only had the established tournaments to prepare for but also a fantastic opportunity to shine on the world stage.
The season started off on a good note with a strong showing in the ADHRC Junior Rugby Festival. This was a 7s tournament and the club entered two teams. The B team equipped themselves well with a victory over the AD French but found some of the more established opposition too strong, eventually loosing to Dubai College in the Quarter Finals. The A Team played some great rugby in the pool rounds with the 44-0 victory over a strong Dubai Exiles team proving that this was a capable squad. After moving through to the finals the lads faced Dubai College. DC are always strong opposition and the lads needed to raise their game. After shipping two easy scores in the first half the ADHRC team spent the rest of the match camped in the DC 22 but could not break down the well organized DC defence with the visitors coming away as deserved winners.
There was meant to be an established U18 AGRFU League this season but for various reasons the league did not get completed. The lads did play two games (home and away) against the Dubai Exiles coming away winners in both in what turned out to be very close and, as always, hard fought encounters. The team should be justifiably proud of the fact that for the first time they were unbeaten this season against the Dubai Exiles in both formats of the game.
Then came one of the highlights of the year with the Dubai 7s. Lots of work had gone in to the preparation and the squad were quietly confident of being able to take the trophy. The first hurdle was to get out of a tough pool which consisted of Doha, English College and Bahrain. A good victory over Doha was followed by a narrow defeat to EC. The boys however picked themselves up to defeat Bahrain to set up a huge match in the semis against the tournament favorites Dubai College. On the second day the lads turned in one of the best performances ever seen and played some excellent rugby running in three quick scores to go 21-0 up against a stunned DC. DC came back but it was too little too late with ADHRC winning 21-12 to set up a final against their pool rivals EC who had beaten Dubai Exiles in the other semi.
With a packed stadium of 40,000+ rugby fans the lads ran out to a fantastic atmosphere and great support. To play on such a big stage in front of so many people would have been daunting for most professionals and the biggest worry for the coaches was that the boys might get stage fright. Not at all! Both teams played some fantastic rugby and although EC went 12-0 up at half time it was still all to play for. The second half started and some great 7s rugby saw ADHRC claw our way back to lead 14-12 with a minute left on the clock. Then EC got an interception to run over in the dying seconds to snatch victory. Although very disappointed the lads should be extremely proud of themselves as they and the other teams involved in the tournament showed the rugby world that Gulf rugby at this level is strong and talented. It has been said that the quality of the U19s in the Dubai 7s tournament was the key decider in having them play in the IRB 7s World Cup (the only non-international part of the tournament). Well done to all the teams involved.
The World Cup 7s in March provided the squad with another chance to experience the big time. An easy victory over Dubai Hurricans 56-0 set up a repeat semi final of the Dubai 7s. DC were out to get revenge and came out very strong running in 3 quick scores in almost a reversal of fortune of the last meeting. With such a lead it was always going to be difficult for the guys but they did fight back and managed to close the gap to 21-14 before eventually loosing 28 – 14 to an impressive display by DC who eventually went on to win.
The season was, as always, great fun and the players should be commended for their commitment and efforts. Whilst we would have liked to play more 15s games the season was a success with experiences that would be hard to beat. Many of the younger members of the U18 squad got to play for the U17s who put in some excellent performance against touring schools from the UK proving that the players in the UAE and specifically ADHRC are not too far off the mark.
Congratulations must go to Rodrigo Costa, Jason de Broize, Osama Shayeb, Hansie Ramukumba and Julian Stones for representing the Arabian Gulf U19s and to the Captain, Henry Fulbrook who led from the front throughout the season in addition to becoming an integral part of the ADHRC Mens 1stXV. Also my thanks to my fellow coaches Adam, Scott and Dave for their help this season and to Guy for his efforts in getting everything in place so the lads can play rugby!
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