The 2018/2019 West Asia Premiership reaches its climax on Friday in Bahrain, with the spectacle of two great teams representing two of the oldest clubs in the Arabian Gulf, in a repeat of last year’s final.
Bahrain Rugby Football Club 1st XV has earned themselves another home final against arch-rivals Dubai Exiles and the call has gone out once more to home rugby fans to create an intimidating ‘red wall’ of noise.
Bahrain’s determined director of rugby Louie Tonkin said: “It will take a monumental effort to win on Friday evening but we feel we’ve been playing well enough to do it – it feels like this is going to be our toughest game of the season and that’s the way it’s supposed to be with the two best teams battling it out for silverware in the final match of the season.”
The club is expecting a bumper crowd for the second weekend in a row after filling the stadium in Janabiya for last Thursday night’s concert featuring British chart-toppers Blue and the 1st XV’s sensational big semi-final 56 – 7 victory on Friday evening against Jebel Ali Dragons.
Club chairman Mike Cunningham said: “Like all Bahrain supporters I’ll be cheering the boys on for a second premiership title, but enjoying what promises to be a fantastic game of rugby!
“If you’ve not been before, come on down and support Bahrain. The atmosphere is bound to be amazing and, if even if it’s your first experience of rugby, I’m sure you’ll be hooked!”
Having led this season’s West Asia Premiership standings virtually from start to finish, Bahrain want to finish off the season in style holding the Premiership trophy aloft and a repeat of last weekend’s performance against reigning league champions Jebel Ali Dragons.
In an altogether ruthless performance, tries from Jordan Viggers, Jack Phillips and Tom Bell, along with a penalty try awarded for a dominant scrum, and the boot of Leon Mauer, the home side were 28-0 to the good by the half-time break.
Despite a resounding victory in the round-robin meeting between the same two side back in December, there was no sign of complacency in the Bahrain ranks, with the memories of last season’s final day defeat at the same venue still fresh.
With that in mind and spurred on by a buoyant home crowd, the hosts picked up from where they had left off after the break, as Alastair Crombie crossed for try number five and man-of-the-match Dai Evans grabbed the first of his brace a short time later.
The Dragons then got a try of their own that their dangerous open-field running had threatened but normal service resumed thereafter, as substitute Mark Burnell got in on the act and James Whittingham continued the 100 per cent success rate off the tee.
Remarkably, Bahrain left the best score of the night until last, as they broke from their own 22, with some lovely interplay between backs and forwards ultimately resulting in Evans crossing for his second under the posts.
Whittingham’s conversion brought the final whistle and the cheers of the home crowd, who can now look forward to Friday’s league decider.
On the injury front, things remain bright for Bahrain. Tonkin said: “We are in a good place this week with key players returning to fitness at the right time.”
Utility back Luke Radley has had no reaction after suffering calf muscle strains, flanker Rhys Fitzgerald remains fully recovered as shown in the last two games after a concussion, and Number 8 Elliot Behan is back in style following a medial cruciate ligament tear.
Last April, Bahrain’s boys prevailed 47-25 over Dubai Exiles to take the team’s first major trophy in eight years. But even after securing victory, Bahrain faced snide remarks suggesting they only won it because they were playing against an understrength side.
Sore losers? It will be a different story, however, this time out, as rugby fans are expecting a ‘battle of the beasts’. The Exiles were impressive last week beating a strong Harlequins away in Abu Dhabi, 31 – 16, last weekend.
Although they finished in third place after the league stage of the competition, Exiles have been Bahrain’s toughest opponents and are the only team to beat the 1st XV this season. Bahrain lost in October in Dubai, 31 – 20, during a period in which the club’s three first choice scrum halves and three first choice Number 10s were out injured. Bahrain, however, gained sweet revenge on the return fixture in February coming out 21 – 10 winners.
“They are a really strong side with a huge physical pack and skilful, abrasive backs. This is going to be a real challenge for us and, hopefully, they come to Bahrain with a fully fit and firing squad so whoever wins, or loses, will have no excuses at the final whistle,” added Tonkin.
Bahrain’s players, club officials and fans are determined that after all the hard work put in, they can be crowned outright West Asia Champions after the final 80 minutes on Friday.
A family party atmosphere is already planned with off-pitch entertainment including live music and children’s activities. Non-members are welcome (BD2 gate fee) and can enter the club without needing to be signed in between 3pm-6pm.
The game is set to start at 5pm. “It’s time to fill the stands with RED this Friday!” said Cunningham.
