Dubai Sevens: Tigers get through early tests in Gulf Men’s League title defence

Holders beat their West Asia Premiership rivals after being pushed on Day 1

Dubai Tigers, Gulf Men’s League holders, made a perfect start at the 2023 Dubai Rugby Sevens as they won both their matches on Friday. All photos: Ruel Pableo for The National

A Dubai Tigers player is tackled during a match against Bahrain.

Bahrain, in black, mounted a spirited comeback but ultimately lost the Gulf Men's League match to Dubai Tigers 26-14.

Dubai Tigers showed why they are strong contenders to retain their Gulf Men's League Dubai Sevens title with two wins on Friday's opening day.

A Bahrain player is tackled during a match against Dubai Tigers.

Bahrain, in black, take the game to Dubai Tigers.

A Dubai Tigers player feeds the scrum during the win over Bahrain.

Dubai Tigers and Bahrain players shake hands after the match.

Dubai Tigers underlined their credentials at the beginning of their Emirates Dubai Sevens title defence.

The Gulf Men’s League holders made a perfect start as they won both their matches on Friday.

Their first game pitted them against the club with whom they currently share top billing in regional XVs rugby, Bahrain.

Adam Wallace, the Bahrain coach, urged his players to make a fast start against the defending champs.

It could scarcely have gone worse, as they picked up what might have been a record fast yellow card.

Their kick off did not go 10 metres, and the player who held the catch tossed the ball away.

He then found himself heading straight to the sin bin as the referee deemed him to be deliberately slowing play.

The Tigers, who are packed with some of the leading sevens talent in the Gulf, did not need any extra advantages, and they promptly sped into a 21-0 lead.

Bahrain did strike back, but Niko Volavola killed their chances with a length-of-the-field break, as Tigers won 26-14.

Then in their second game, Abu Dhabi Harlequins pushed them just as they did in the recent league meeting between the two sides.

The side from the capital held an early lead, but Tigers bounced back to take a 21-7 win.