Dubai Exiles 2 slay Jebel Ali Dragons in Northern Emirates Division 1

After the unexpected postponement of last week’s match with the Dubai Knights-Eagles, the Exiles‘ Northern Emirates Division 1 side was keen to get back into action at our good friends, Jebel Ali Dragons RFC, on Friday. If there was any ‘ring rust’ it certainly wasn’t visible as the Exiles youngsters, again with a sprinkling of more experienced senior players, ran in 11 tries against the Jebel Ali Dragons in a 24 – 71 victory.

Jamie Annand got the game underway

Coach, Jacques Benade, gives calm instruction

The trip to Jebel Ali Dragons was the second away fixture of the 2021 campaign for Dubai Exiles RFC, even though the match had been pushed back to a 4pm kick off, it was still a hot afternoon for playing rugby in Jebel Ali.

Outside-half Jamie Annand got things underway. It was clear that the Jebel Ali Dragons had picked a physically large side, and from the very start their hard carrying number 3 had clearly been studying a ‘Guide to Roman Road Building’ and that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

Sebastian Snaas sniffs for a way through the Jebel Ali defence

Jan Jirasek crosses for his first of two tries

It was a good job that the young men of the Exiles‘ Northern Emirates Division 1 side can tackle, and rip, and ruck. The hard work on the training paddock at The Sevens on a Monday and Wednesday evening was evident and the first period of play finished with the Exiles up over the Jebel Ali Dragons by 33 points to 7.

Jarron Shelley intercepts for his try

Sebastian Sabania scores from the kick off

The Exiles‘ opening try of the second period was probably the cheekiest try of the season so far. The Dragons kick off was short of the 10 metre line, Sebastian Sabania feigned any interest in playing the ball and as the Jebel Ali players turned their backs Seb plucked the ball from the air and ran in to score under the posts unopposed. The delight was written all over his face from the moment he kidded the entire Jebel Ali Dragons defence.

Jan Jirasek leaves a despairing Dragons‘ defence behind

Sri Lankan, Anojan Balasundaram, offloads after a stunning 70m break

Shazard Deen finishes it off

By the end of the second period, the match had pretty much evaporated as a competition. The Exiles had added another 4 tries to the five they scored in the first period when the referee blew. Jebel Ali Dragons RFC 12 Dubai Exiles RFC 57.

Cornelius Spies worked extremely hard all game

Jamie Annand sweeps across the line to score

Jarron Shelley take the strain

The third and final period of the match was a less exciting affair. The young Exiles clearly knew that match was won and relaxed in the afternoon Jebel Ali heat. The intensity levels dropped slightly and both sides managed to cross the try line a couple of times each. When the referee blew the final whistle, the Exiles had slain the Jebel Eli Dragons by 71 points to 24.