Champions Jebel Ali Dragons shrugged off serious injuries to two of their players to get their bid to win a third treble up and running with a convincing win at Xodus Wasps.
Dragons had victory virtually sewn up by half time as they led 26-0 after an opening 40-minute four-try blitz, with player coach Murray Strang’s only concern a concussion suffered by Taif Al Delaimie, who was stretchered off the field and taken to hospital, while flanker Stuart Waddell will face time on the sidelines after he dislocated his shoulder.
The defending champions had Ian Overton go over twice and captain Nick Taylor, Michael Botha and Imad Reyal all also on the scoresheet – four of the tries were converted by Andy Russell.
The injuries to Al Delaimie and Waddell meant their rhythm was interrupted after the interval, but they still managed to outscore the Wasps 7-5 in the second half thanks to Overmore’s late second try, again converted by Russell, which cancelled out an unconverted Sam Woolacott try for the hosts.
Strang said: “It was a good performance.
“A bonus point win against an improving Wasps, who look a lot better than last season, means we’re off to a good start.”
He added: “It was the first game so of course there were a few errors and you’re always going to have mistakes.
“It became a bit of a disjointed game after the injuries to Taif and Stuart so it was nice to have the points sewn up by half time.”
Wasps’ director of rugby Martin Southern believes his side earned respect with their performance, and said: “We finished bottom last year and we had the toughest draw possible to get the reigning champions in our first game.”
He admitted that Dragons were ‘very good’ but bemoaned the fact Wasps were stung by conceding tries in injury time of both halves, with Dragons’ fourth try scored in the 15th minute of added time due to their two injuries