The West Asia Premiership has a new leader after Dubai Exiles inflicted a 35-15 defeat on great rivals Jebel Ali Dragons on Friday evening.

The competitors headed into the fixture knowing victory would be enough to claim first place as Abu Dhabi Harlequins had a bye week, with extra spice being added by memories of Exiles’ controversial triumph against Dragons in the Dubai Sevens Gulf Men’s League final.

All the ingredients were in place then for another classic to match October’s reverse fixture, a thriller which Dragons won 22-18. But Exiles dominated from the off, bursting into a 19-10 half-time lead which they never looked like losing on their way to a fourth-successive victory.

Tries for Exiles came from Gio Fourie, Tomas Sackmann, Danny Waddy and Jaen Botes. Durandt Gerber was also lethal with the boot, kicking three conversions and penalties.  For the vanquished, Scott Hayes and Morgan Ward crossed over – James Love got a penalty and a conversion.

“It was a good win and a hard-fought victory,” said Exiles club captain Kristian Stinson. “We dominated them up front very early on.

“I think we thoroughly deserved the victory and even they said we outclassed them.”

Dragons coach Henry Paul reflected on a frustrating 80 minutes for his side.

He said: “We were architects of our own demise. Penalties really hurt us, they’ve got a good kicker and a good set-piece.

“They deserved their tries and we just go back to the drawing board.

“We’ve not played well in the last few weeks and still got those wins. We weren’t getting those this time last year.”

Elsewhere, Bahrain inflicted a brutal 66-0 thumping on Saracens to end a run of back-to-back Premiership losses in the last fortnight.

Dubai Hurricanes claimed local bragging rights against bottom-placed Dubai Eagles courtesy of a 36-23 bonus-point victory.