RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S rugby teams went down fighting last night as they came up agonisingly short in their bid to capture an unprecedented title double in two of the region’s biggest rugby leagues.
The kingdom’s First XV conceded the decisive try with only two minutes remaining in a heart-breaking 21-24 loss to the Dubai Hurricanes First XV in the final of 2024-25 Men’s West Asia Super Rugby.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s Second XV suffered a 19-28 defeat to the Dubai Tigers First XV in the title-deciding match of 2024-25 Men’s UAE Division One Rugby.
Both games were played at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai yesterday with a large group of loyal Bahrain-based supporters making the trip to the UAE to support the kingdom’s teams.
In the First XV’s final, Bahrain went a man down early on and needed to play a majority of the contest with the disadvantage.
They were first on the scoreboard, however, after Josh Drain successfully fired in a long penalty in the fifth minute.
Drain added another just four minutes later, once again showing his incredible skill as he slotted the ball through the posts to extend their lead to 6-0.
Teammate Jack Phillips later gave Bahrain their first try at the left corner for a commanding 11-0 cushion in the 26th minute, although Drain’s ensuing conversion attempt was just wide to the right.
The Hurricanes opened their account minutes before the half to reduce the deficit to 7-11 at the interval. After the re-start, Drain put points up once again for Bahrain with an eighth-minute penalty that extended their advantage to 14-7. But the hosts were quick to reply with their own penalty kick, and then they took a stunning lead 11 minutes into the concluding half with a try and conversion that made it 17-14.
The Bahrainis took the advantage back with a try in the 26th minute, and then Drain kicked in the additional two points to make it 21-17.
But the Hurricanes came up with the match-winning play with just two minutes to go in regulation. Toby Oakeley ran the ball past the line assisted by Martin Mangwiro, putting them back in front, and then Andre Gerber had a successful conversion to peg the final score.
The loss was the first for Bahrain’s First XV all season long. The rest of the squad for the game included Adam Wallace, Matt McKee, Mackenzie Oliver, Henry Paul, Henk Gouws, Awethu Lushozi, Aled Morris, Alastair Crombie, Lindsey Gibson, Romeo Eksteen, Cormac Fox, Dai Evans, James Newey, Josh Petro, Tian Jacobs, Nick Young, Dan Mau’u, Charlie Farmer, Greg Heath, Joel Kidgell, and Deina Morete.
In the Second XV’s final, they were first to score but the Tigers roared back to turn a 0-7 deficit to an 18-7 advantage at the break.
The Tigers held on to their big lead until Bahrain made a late push to get within 19-28. But it was too late as the final whistle blew just minutes later.
Bahrain’s Second XV squad included Cameron Thomson, Martin Prinsloo, Nick Young, Talal Al Shariff, Jack Jarvis, Keaton Shedoon, Saul Piper, Dan Searle, Josh de Beer, Joel Lewis, Matt Richards, Matt Barnett, Chris Kropp, Diego Hernandez, Deina Morete, George Swinton, Gerhard Cronje, Brandon Bourgeois, Tommy Booth, James Wheeler, Cole Crawford, and Stewie Heunis.
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