Jebel Ali Dragons’ renaissance continued as they reached the semi-finals of the Gulf Men’s League at the Dubai Rugby Sevens with a thrilling 21-19 victory over Doha.

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Dragons, kings of Gulf rugby in recent years, suffered an alarming fall from grace last season, which has continued into this season’s UAE Premiership campaign.

There have been signs in recent weeks, however, that there is still fire in the belly. That was evident in their Cup win at the Eden Park 7s a week ago but truly typified by an enthralling and gritty triumph against Doha, last year’s Dubai Sevens finalists, on Friday night.

Doha always looked threatening in the quarter-final clash but Dragons hung tough with tries from Ian Overton and Dan Bell, while a lungbusting effort late in the game from Sean McCarthy sealed it.

Doha thought they had snatched it at the death but determined Dragons’ defence kept them out, and the revival goes on.

“They’re a class act and it was a tough game, but Doha won the group and perhaps thought ‘oh easy quarter, easy semi’, so we caught them by surprise,” said try-scorer Overton, who himself is enjoying a bit of a resurrection after a difficult first few months of the season.

“You’ve got to play like you’re never going to play again and that’s what we did, left it all out there. I think we saved a bit in the group game against (Abu Dhabi) Harlequins but now everything’s on the line. Every game is a final for us.”

During difficult times throughout the last 18 months or so, Overton said that a close bond between a handful of veteran Dragons is what has kept the fire burning.

“We’re lucky because some of us have known each other for four years. We’re best pals,” he added. “In semis and finals that’s what