Tigers and Exiles to contest UAE Premiership final after playoff victories

Tigers beat Abu Dhabi Harlequins 46-22, while Exiles eased past Jebel Ali Dragons 36-0

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  Lian Smit of Abu Dhabi Harlequins battles for the ball in the line-out with Rory Smith during the UAE Premiership semifinal at Dubai Police Academy. All photos Ruel Pableo for The National

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  Samuel Tau of Dubai Tigers catches the ball from a line-out.

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  Dubai Tigers and Abu Dhabi Harlequins shake hands at the end of the game.

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  Charlie Taylor of Dubai Tigers hands off the ball.

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  Dubai Tigers and AD Harlequins in action during the UAE Premiership semifinal at Dubai Police Academy.

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  Moli Sioeil Schaumkel of Dubai Tigers runs with the ball.

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  Siri Laladidi of Abu Dhabi Harlequins with the ball.

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  A Dubai Tigers player gets tackled during the game against the Abu Dhabi Harlequins.

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  Ben Sapwell-West of Abu Dhabi Harlequins prepares to pass the ball.

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  James McCarthy of Abu Dhabi Harlequins runs with the ball.

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  Abu Dhabi Harlequins players attempt to tackle a Dubai Tigers player.

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  Dubai Tigers attempt to keep Abu Dhabi Harlequins away from the try line.

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  Rory Smith of Dubai Tigers attempts to resist a tackle from the Abu Dhabi Harlequins.

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  Deanne Makoni of Abu Dhabi Harlequins attempts to protect the ball from Dubai Tigers.

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  Charlie Taylor of Dubai Tigers attempts to break free from a tackle.

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  Dubai Tigers and Abu Dhabi Harlequins in action during the UAE Premiership semifinal.

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  Lian Smit of Abu Dhabi Harlequins and Samuel Tau of Dubai Tigers contest a line-out.

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  Moli Sioeil Schaumkel of Dubai Tigers with the ball.

Dubai Tigers will be playing to complete a domestic sevens and XVs double when they face Dubai Exiles in the UAE Premiership final.

The two sides will meet in the title decider, in the showpiece fixture of a programme of finals to be played in Al Ain on Saturday.

Tigers and Exiles finished in the top two places in the league part of the campaign, but were required to make it through playoffs to get to the final.

Exiles scored five tries as they eased past Jebel Ali Dragons 36-0 in their match at The Sevens at the weekend.

The Tigers, who already have the Gulf Men’s League title from the Dubai Rugby Sevens in their possession from earlier in the season, beat Abu Dhabi Harlequins in their semifinal.

Emosi Ratuvecanaua scored a hat-trick of tries in the 46-22 win, with Niko Volavola, Moli Schaumkel, Nick Cliffe, and Charlie Taylor also crossing.