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It may only be week three of a long season for Bahrain Rugby Football Club’s first XV squad but already they are facing a must-win game against Muscat in Saar on Friday.
Following a bitterly disappointing 14-10 loss away to Doha last weekend, the team knows well that only a big win this time round will keep alive their hopes of clinching the Gulf Premiership title for the first time in the club’s history.
The game will be the first competitive senior fixture in Bahrain since early March and, as such, club officials are appealing to home fans to turn out in force.
For new signings Ben Featherstone, Adam Wallace, Oli Luke and Ken Fernée it will be a first real taste of the kind of atmosphere that earned the local support the prestigious title of ‘Best fans in the Gulf’ last season.
“We’re really looking forward to playing at home this weekend,” explained Wallace. “We’ve heard all about the great home fans here in Bahrain so hopefully we can put on a good show for them.
“There’s a feeling that we didn’t really do ourselves justice in Doha last week but the team is still finding its feet and Friday gives us an opportunity to gain some momentum so we’re just keen to get stuck in.”
With Kuwait having pulled out of this year’s Gulf Premiership, it leaves only Bahrain, Muscat and Doha, who have held the title since the competition was launched in 2011/2012, to battle it out for the spoils.
After this weekend, Bahrain will have a three-week break until the return leg in Muscat on October 25 and the all-important rematch with Doha at home on November 8.
Friday’s game is set for a 6pm kick-off and all are welcome.
