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The Bahrain Rugby Football Club is strapping up and all set for a crucial triple-header as the team aims to get its West Asia Premiership playoff push back on track after a crushing defeat last weekend.
The boys in red have three vital home games, against Abu Dhabi Saracens on Friday at 6pm, Dubai Exiles on February 16 and Dubai Hurricanes on February 23, both at 5pm. They’re hoping to bounce back after being beaten 25-7 by Abu Dhabi Harlequins last weekend, with numerous backs being unavailable contributing to an under-par display.
Bahrain director of rugby Louie Tonkin believes the team has plenty of character to avenge the defeat, and is calling on the notoriously raucous Bahrain crowd to cheer his men on.
The Welshman said: “The fixture list has been bizarre to say the least. Thanks to the rugby club’s numerous events like Trib Fest and the Gaelic Games, we couldn’t play many home games before Christmas. We’ve played seven, and five have been away from home!
“Now that four of the remaining five fixtures are in front of our brilliant crowd, we need to make sure we win those to finish as high as possible to secure home draws in the play-offs.”
The top four teams at the end of the 12-game league season advance to the playoffs, where first plays fourth at home, and second plays third at home.
Bahrain currently sit fourth, with 22 points. Harlequins top the table on points difference, sharing 29 overall points with Jebel Ali Dragons, who have played a game less. Exiles are third on 27 points, while Bahrain have a cushion over Hurricanes who have 15 points.
Tonkin explained: “The boys have been working really hard coming into this crucial period and training intensity has been massive. We’re looking forward to the home games and not having to travel, mainly because we want to play in front of our wonderful fans and have them cheering us on.”
Indeed, a large crowd is expected at the rugby club for the upcoming fixtures, and Tonkin hopes that both long-time rugby fans and newcomers just getting into the sport will come down and cheer the team on.
He explained: “We’re really looking to prove that we’re a great team to come and watch and to put on great events for the family at the rugby club. It’s the highest level of rugby in the region and it’s a great atmosphere. You have terrific entertainment on the pitch, and then afterwards there’s a band on and match day packages will be announced in due course.
“We’re very confident about the upcoming games; we think we can beat anyone in the league at home. We’ve got some players back from long term injuries too, most notably our captain Adam Wallace. Ross Preedy and Toby Borrow are back too, which is great news for us.”
