Abu Dhabi Harlequins set themselves up nicely for a tilt at claiming a hat-trick of Gulf Men’s League titles at next week’s Dubai Rugby Sevens by winning the Eden Park 7s title at the weekend.

The tournament, hosted as usual by Dubai Sharks, saw Mike McFarlane’s men triumph in the senior Cup section with a 21-5 triumph against Dubai Exiles in the final.

Quins coach McFarlane was delighted with victory and he admitted the club are desperate to clinch a third Dubai Sevens title in a row following a 36-14 triumph against Al Ain Amblers a year ago and a 27-5 win against Doha in 2014.

“Of course we are hungry for the hat-trick of titles and that has been shown through the amount of effort shown from the boys across all teams in preparation for the Sevens,” said McFarlane, whose team are the form side domestically thus far this season, leading the way in the West Asia Premiership with four wins and a draw from five games.

McFarlane paid tribute to tournament organisers the Sharks, and said the most pleasing aspect of lifting the trophy was the form his side showed with the Dubai Sevens getting underway in just over a week.

“It was a great day, a great set-up by Dubai Sharks,” added McFarlane, who despite Quins’ success, is predicting a highly competitive Gulf Men’s League competition at The Sevens come next Thursday.

“We saw it as a fantastic opportunity to put our structures into a competitive environment with full contact. Having five teams in the competition highlighted our strength in depth and quality, with all teams making a semi-final or final.

“We were of course pleased to win the Eden Park 7s, however, we were more pleased with how we became more and more comfortable with our shapes and structures as the day progressed and we are really excited as a Club for Dubai 7s.

“The achievement was nicely capped by our ladies winning the Al Ain 7s tournament.

“The standard of sevens was impressive and with Doha and Bahrain to add to the mix, I think you’ll see the strongest tournament yet in terms of quality. We can’t wait to get to the Sevens now as one club and watch each of our men’s, ladies and under-19s perform.”

It’s been a difficult 2016/17 campaign so far for reigning West Asia and UAE Premiership champions Exiles, although coach Jacques Benade will have been encouraged by his side getting to the Eden park final.