Two tries from Ryno Fourie helped put Jebel Ali Dragons in control of the chase for the fourth end-of-season playoff berth in the West Asia Premiership, as they beat Dubai Exiles 27-10 at The Sevens, Dubai on Friday night.
The win puts Jebel Ali a point ahead of the defending champion Exiles, into fourth in the table.
Exiles have just one regular season fixture left, next weekend against Abu Dhabi Saracens, while Dragons still have three to play.
“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to win the points in this game, on the back of two close defeats [to Bahrain and Doha],” Ben Blamire, the Dragons flanker, said.
“Because of the history and rivalry between the two clubs, it always is a massive game when we play the Exiles, anyway.
“With the league being so tight, each week is going to be close. For us it is going to be like playing finals rugby from now till the end of the season.”
Saracens managed just their second win of the season, 38-33 against Dubai Hurricanes, thanks to a hat-trick from Rikus Swart, as well as a last-play try.
The side from the capital may yet have a say in the run in, though, as they face both Exiles and Dragons in the final weeks.
“It is good to be on the right end of one of the close ones, finally,” Winston Cowie, the Abu Dhabi Saracens coach, said.
“There have been six that have gone the other way. I’m so, so pleased for the guys after such a big effort this season, but with limited results. It has been a good day for our club.”
Doha’s fine run of form continued, as they ended the unbeaten record of Abu Dhabi Harlequins with a 29-16 win in Qatar.
Harlequins retain top spot, and were already assured of a place in the end of season play-offs. Doha, in second place, are now also mathematically sure of a place in the playoffs, after their win and the Exiles’ defeat.
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