Dubai Tigers annexed their “biggest” championship success by overcoming Bahrain 28-19 to clinch the West Asia Premiership at Tigers Park in Al Sufouh on Saturday.
They took a 17-7 lead at half time and maintained their advantage each time their opponents narrowed the gap to add their second piece of silverware to the Dubai Sevens title they won last December.
Moli Schaumkel, Charlie Taylor, Saki Naisau scored a try each, while Matt Gilham touched down, added conversion and fired over two penalties. Bahrain crossed the touchline three times, two of which were converted.
“We are pleased to emerge winners of the West Asia Premiership, finally, after last year's disappointment,” said Peter Kelly, the Tigers’ director of rugby, of the win.
“It's our 10th year anniversary for the Tigers, so we're really pleased to get the victory. It's definitely our biggest win. They have kind of set the standard over the last six or seven years with regards to the level that everyone needs to be at.”
The Tigers and Bahrain went toe-to-tow with a converted try each from either side for a 7-7 score before Dubai added a converted try and a penalty to go into the break with a 10-point lead.
“They obviously got the early points. It was really physical. Both teams really carried on and were pleased just to get on top,” Kelly said.
“Bahrain never left the game. They were always there. We had to make sure we were on form until the end.
“We played against a breeze and a bit of sun on us in the first half and that was behind us after the break. Bahrain really came out strong. You know they showed their quality but we were just happy to have some really strong defence and good counter-attacking and stuff going on for us.”
The 10th anniversary of the club is turning out to be a stellar year for the Tigers with two titles already in the bag and three more semi-finals to follow, the UAE Premiership and the Division 1 and Division 2 titles to play for.
“We got the depth in the club this season,” Kelly said.
Tigers win Dubai Sevens - in pictures
“We've got our UAE Premiership, the Division 1 and 2 semi-finals. Our Division 2 team is our third team, playing in the Division 2 semi-final against the Hurricanes. So, it's a big weekend again.
“Obviously we'll be pleased with how we went about tonight and we're sort of looking forward to next weekend.
“Our 10 year celebration is definitely going to be a most memorable one and we are hoping that we can keep pushing forward.
“We've got three semi-finals this week across all divisions and you know, it'll be great to add more titles to our collections. We're not going to get ahead of ourselves, but it'd be good to keep pushing on.”
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Teaching in coronavirus times
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Emirates exiles
Will Wilson is not the first player to have attained high-class representative honours after first learning to play rugby on the playing fields of UAE.
Jonny Macdonald
Abu Dhabi-born and raised, the current Jebel Ali Dragons assistant coach was selected to play for Scotland at the Hong Kong Sevens in 2011.
Jordan Onojaife
Having started rugby by chance when the Jumeirah College team were short of players, he later won the World Under 20 Championship with England.
Devante Onojaife
Followed older brother Jordan into England age-group rugby, as well as the pro game at Northampton Saints, but recently switched allegiance to Scotland.
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Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
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Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to volunteer
The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
Richard Jewell
Director: Clint Eastwood
Stars: Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley
Two-and-a-half out of five stars
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The UAE's journey to space
Killing of Qassem Suleimani