Abu Dhabi Harlequins player/ coach Jeremy Manning said reaching and winning the Sport360 UAE Premiership final was beyond his wildest dreams a few weeks ago.
But Quins made a mockery of their poor start to the season, bouncing back from two opening losses to seal a convincing 39-19 final win over Dubai Hurricanes, the league’s most consistent team.
“There’s no chance I thought this was possible after our second defeat of the season to Dragons,” admitted Manning last night.
“Everyone had written us off but we got to a place where we didn’t think we’d get to and we’ve got a win.
“I’m chuffed for our club, it’s a fantastic day for our club. It’s been my fifth final since I’ve been here and I’ve only won one.”
Modest Manning said Graham Murphy’s late try, which stretched Quins’ winning margin, flattered his side.
“They (Canes) play a good brand of rugby, but it was just our day,” he added.
Defeated Canes coach Ross Mills had said prior to the game that the final was just another game, but admitted defeat hurt.
He was magnanimous, acknowledging that the better side had won.
“Of course, no defeat is nice to take, even worse when it’s a final,” said Mills. “But tonight we were beaten by the better team. They were hungrier and wanted it more.
“The boys are very disappointed.”
Mills said Canes had prepared for the game well but didn’t properly execute their gameplan.
“I’m disappointed for the lads but there’s still the (Dubai) Sevens and the Gulf Top Six to come. Our goal at the start of the season was to win one piece of silverware so we’ve still got two more attempts at that.
“We’ve let ourselves down and that’s what hurts.”
Trevor Gregory, the watching Asian Rugby Football Union president, was suitably impressed with the standard on display.
“It was great. It was a fiercely contested Premiership final which is the way it should be,” he said.
“It looked at the beginning like Harlequins would run away with it and I applaud Hurricanes for coming back in real style.”