Dubai Tigers were reliant on some trademark brilliance from Saki Naisau as they eventually tempered the threat of Abu Dhabi Harlequins.
Last season’s runners-up moved back level on points with Bahrain at the top of the West Asia Premiership following their 25-10 win at Zayed Sports City.
The away side suggested they might run away with it as they eased into a 10-0 lead at the start of the game, via a try from Tauteau Taufa plus kicks by Chanley Williams.
The hosts struck back impressively, though, and were level on points at half time having scored a try in the right corner through Chris McKee.
Their resistance was broken by a familiar source just after half time. Naisau, the Fiji-born UAE international who has been one of the outstanding backs in regional rugby for the best part of a decade, scored a brilliant solo try.
Jerome Harimate ended any prospect of a Quins comeback with a third try for the visitors.
The uplifting display by Quins against one of the most formidable sides in the Middle East was tempered by an injury to a key player.
James McCarthy, Quins’ former Wales sevens international, sustained a rib injury in a tackle in the first half against the Tigers.
He is now a doubt for their Emirates Dubai Sevens campaign, where they will be hoping to go one better than last year when they were losing finalists against the Tigers.
