Ali Thompson described Abu Dhabi Saracens’ 24-14 victory over defending West Asia Cup holders Jebel Ali Dragons as a “statement”.

– Adel Al Hendi proud of UAE team
– Gulf Top Six previews: Sarries not scared, Hurricanes aim for silverware

Sarries got their Gulf Top Six campaign off to a flying start as they recorded back-to-back wins against the struggling Dragons and laid out their own title credentials in the process.

Player/coach Thompson said: “Back to back wins against the Dragons is certainly a statement. We scored four tries and got a bonus point, so we can’t ask for anything more than that, I’m delighted.”

The Al Ghazal pack has been singled out for praise on numerous occasions already this season, and the powerhouse unit was again 
impressive as they bullied Dragons to record a bonus point win.

Dragons’ player/coach Murray Strang admits the deposed treble winners have done some “soul searching” over the festive period, but they may have some way to go to rediscover their devastating form. 

But there was no lack of passion at the other end, typified by man-of-the-match Gio Fourie; the Sarries’ hooker deservedly getting a late try to seal victory for his side.

In an error-strewn first half, two Strang penalties sandwiched Jaen Botes’ try following intense Sarries’ pressure on the Dragons’ line.

Botes’ score had saved the blushes of wing Mike Pugliese who had missed a guilt-edged chance to score the game’s opening try minutes earlier when he fumbled a gift of a pass from scrum-half Jonny Taylor yards out from the line.

Strang extended the lead to four with his third penalty just after the break but the home side’s physicality started to show with two tries in five minutes.

Both came from familiar methods, even though the first was from an unlikely source.

Livewire Taylor crashed over following excellent work from the Sarries’ machine and it was 19-9 following a costly error by Dragons with a reversed penalty giving Sarries another chance to drive 10 metres out. 

Fourie’s late try was a beauty, the hooker crashing over wide out following a superb miss pass from debutant Elliott Reeder, and even though Dragons’ player/coach 

Sean Crombie scored a late consolation, the away side were deservedly beaten.

Harlequins stunned by Doha’s firepower

Doha exacted revenge for defeat in the final of the Dubai Sevens in some style as they thrashed Abu Dhabi Harlequins 50-10.

Jeremy Manning’s men were  bereft of several key players for the trip to Qatar and the hosts took full advantage, leaving this season’s leading lights in the dark with a huge win.

The hosts scored eight tries in all and had secured a bonus point by half-time as they led 29-3 – Manning’s penalty all the visitors had to show for their efforts in the first 40 minutes.

Clendon Pene’s try, converted by Manning, early in the second half gave Quins a fighting chance but any hope they had of a stirring comeback was wiped out by a further three tries for Doha, with the final score taking them to the half century mark.

With Quins left to lick their wounds, it makes for a massive Abu Dhabi derby at Zayed Sports City next weekend as Saracens travel across the capital for a mouthwatering clash having beaten reigning West Asia Cup champions Jebel Ali Dragons yesterday.

Manning said: “There were too many mistakes, missed tackles and handling errors, but the Gulf Top Six is a long competition so it’s all good and there’s no problem.”

Captain Phil Abraham admitted that the absence of players like Adel Al Hendi, William Umu, Renier Els, Charlie Farmer, Anthony Murphy and brother Graham was a blow, but said simply that Quins were outplayed.

Hurricanes made to sweat for victory by plucky Bahrain

Dubai Hurricanes staged a whirlwind comeback to overcome a 16-0 deficit at Bahrain and claim an opening day victory in the Gulf Top Six.

Ross Mills’ men were left bamboozled in the opening 40 minutes, but a try on the stroke of half-time kept them in touch and their class eventually shone through as the men from 7he Sevens secured a bonus point win with a 29-16 verdict. Canes’ chairman Simon Lewis described it as a game of two halves and said the visitors were made to earn their win.

“It was a good result in the end and well earned,” he said.

“The key for us was the try before the break, which was our first opportunity. It was a real game of two halves. We got an early score in the second half and after that it was more of a containment job for Bahrain and we sealed the deal late on. We’ve started with a win and that’s all that really matters.” 

Bahrain scraped into the Gulf Top Six behind Doha after a couple of comfortable wins over Muscat, but they made light of their poor form as they surged into the lead in Saar.

Three penalties from the boot of debutant Jack Metters opened up a 9-0 lead and that turned into a worrying gap for Canes when skipper Adam Wallace went over, with Metters adding the extras.

They were thrown a lifeline though when Jamie Williams registered the visitors’ first points on the cusp of half-time with a thrilling team move, Ross O’Loughlin converting. Captain Daniel Perry scored early in the second half following a forward move, with O’Loughlin’s conversion cutting the gap to two.

It was a backs to the wall job for Bahrain after that and Williams scored his second when he collected a chip and chase to give Canes the lead for the first time, and Todd Freemantle sealed the win and a bonus point with a breakout try.