The Gulf Top Six has a very different feel to it after Doha inflicted a first defeat on Abu Dhabi Saracens and went above them in the table.
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A bonus point 31-17 win over Ali Thompson’s men puts Doha top by a point and means Qatar is now the likely destination for the West Asia Cup final.
Both teams are already assured of finishing as the top two teams and a place in the season’s showpiece, but if Aaron Palmer’s side clinch a bonus point win at Jebel Ali Dragons next week, Sarries will have to make the trip west for the final.
Sarries host Bahrain, knowing five points are an absolute must.
A wicked wind dictated the tempo of the match, Doha using it to their advantage in the first half as they built a 19-0 interval lead.
The visitors returned fire in the second 40 minutes with the wind at their backs, Pieter Morton (2) and Dillon Gage scoring tries, but Liam Frost’s 60-metre try after a Sarries’ handling error proved fateful.
“The turning point came when our backline defence forced them to spill the ball and Liam ran 60m to score,” said Palmer.
“It should make the points table tight, deciding where the final will be played now I guess, but our focus is solely on Dragons next week.”
Sarries’ player/coach Thompson admitted his players were hurting “physically and mentally” after the defeat.
“We had a driving maul in the corner at 19-7 down which should have resulted in a try for us. Then there was a handling error in midfield and they went the length of the field to score.
“The lads are hurting mentally and physically but it’s how we pick ourselves up from this that will determine our season.”
In the other GT6 game played yesterday, Abu Dhabi Harlequins made light work of Bahrain for a 38-12 win at Zayed Sports City.
The hosts had a bonus point in the bag before half-time, Clendon Pene opening the scoring. William Umu, Mcmillan Mescudi and Sam Bolger secured a five-point win before the break, with Iziq Foa’i and Mescudi going over in the second half to secure a bumper victory.
Thursday night’s game between Dragons and Dubai Hurricanes was cancelled when the hosts were forced to forfeit due to player withdrawals and injuries.
Canes were awarded a bonus point win while Dragons were docked a point.