A festival day of rugby was capped off in style for Doha RFC when their men’s team toppled Premiership leaders Dubai Exiles in Doha on Friday. After hosting a quick fire day of matches in running their annual veterans tournament, the Qatar based club’s men’s team took centre stage when it outmuscle the Dubai club 16-10.

A superior scrum coupled with the accurate points scoring boot of experienced Doha fly half Jim Hamilton was the main difference of the two teams as Exiles underpowered scrum struggled to match it with a more than competent Doha front three lead by props Richard Liddington and Nick Croker. While in the back row for the victors Tim Nunan was in outstanding form constantly harassing a static opposition backline and looks completely recovered from a serious leg injury from a season or two ago. Adding to Exiles woes, Gulf Fullback Paul Beard was out of sorts with his boot missing all attempts at goal.

For the battered losers the South African duo of Stephan Spohr and Frank Louw were very direct in their play and were deserved joint recipients of their team’s player of the day awards. For Doha the win will no doubt encourage them to further add to their collection of major team scalps at home when they take on Cup Champions Abu Dhabi in a few weeks time.

Canes Back On Track

Home team advantage didn’t have the desired effect for Manama club Bahrain RFC when they took on current League titleholders the Dubai Hurricanes over the weekend. Despite incurring two early season losses the Dubai club was in a more committed mood on Friday when it withstood early pressure and a late run from hosts Bahrain.

After taking an early three point lead and dominating territory, Bahrain found their attacks thwarted by solid Hurricane defense which was then rewarded through a try to big wing Graham Browne who touched down for debut fly half Will Gingell to convert. Gingell was to feature prominently in the second stanza with a converted try of his own and a successful penalty kick.

At 17-3 down Bahrain rallied and scored two very well taken tries to earn a bonus point while Hurricanes took winners points in the 17-13 victory.

Weekend Results:

TOURNAMENT  DOHA VETS 10S TOURNAMENT Fri/31/Oct/08 DOHA 10:00 
GULF CUP  MUSCAT 24 v DUBAI FROGS 3 Fri/31/Oct/08 MUSCAT 15:00   
PREMIERSHIP  DOHA I 16 v DUBAI EXILES I 10 Fri/31/Oct/08 DOHA 15:00   K. Townson
PREMIERSHIP  BAHRAIN 13 v DUBAI HURRICANES I 17 Fri/31/Oct/08 BAHRAIN 15:00   
PREMIERSHIP  DUBAI DRAGONS I 88 v KUWAIT NOMADS 0 Fri/31/Oct/08 TSD 15:00   

---