Exiles thrash Dubai Tigers Rugby Club in UAE Rugby Premiership opener

Schalk Du Preez, Robbie Sproul, and Conor Kennedy in the Exiles‘ 2021-22 Virtuzone sponsored kit

After investing heavily in new players during the off season, the Dubai Tigers would have travelled up to the Exiles‘ home at The Sevens Stadium with a certain amount of confidence. A new look team with a raft of new faces that included former Dubai Hurricane centre and UAE International, Saki Naisau. As it turned out, Dubai Exiles RFC headed out from the changing rooms onto Pitch 7 with the Under 10s from Exiles‘ Mini & Youth, in no mood to be generous to the visitors.

Hannes Kruger, Marcus Kruger, and Stephen Ferguson with some of the Exiles‘ Under 10 Guard of Honour

Jaen Botes thanks the Exiles‘ Mini & Youth for their support

A good crowd had gathered at the Dubai Exiles‘ Clubhouse for this opening round of UAE Premiership rugby matches. After a long break due to Covid, the 15-a-Side version of the game was back and a lot of people had made their way to The Sevens to enjoy some more, traditional, rugby.

There was no way through for the Dubai Tigers all game

Gareth Bacon points the way

From the opening kick-off the home team, playing in their familiar black with red trim, looked purposeful and menacing. With less than three minutes on the clock, the Exiles‘ Fijian captain, Epeli Davetawalu, broke through some appalling Tigers‘ defence to put Michael Stubbs away into the corner for the first score. 5 – 0 to the Exiles.

Three minutes later, youngster and UAE International, Robbie Sproul, crossed to score for the Exiles. Schalk Du Preez had done the damage, and when it looked like his route to the try line had been cut off, a deft kick in-field, was collected by Robbie. Converted by Justin Walsh, the Exiles were 12 – 0 up with only 6 minutes played.

Pieter Kilian leads the rumble to the try line

Conor Kennedy proved to be a nuisance to the Dubai Tigers defence all evening

The first half was one way traffic. The Exiles were almost scoring at will. The Dubai Tigers who’d watched their UAE Division 1 side get heavily beaten by their Exiles‘ counterparts, 99 points to 12, were rapidly heading in the same direction. Hooker, Dave Gairn had scored, Schalk Du Preez had finished off an absolute cracker of a try that had began in the home team’s 22, Justin Walsh and Carel Thomas had also contributed to the scoreboard.

The Tigers‘ 10 delivered a shocker of a tackle on Exiles‘ youngster, Robbie Sproul

Epeli Davetawalu enjoyed himself as Exiles’ captain and had a great game

Despite all of the running rugby from the Dubai Exiles, unfortunately, the biggest talking point of the first half, and indeed the match, came bang on the 34th minute. The home side already had 36 points on the board without reply. The Exiles had turned over the Dubai Tigers in their own 22 and scrum half, Carel Thomas, had popped a short pass to UAE International Sevens player and Exiles‘ wing, Robbie Sproul.

Frustration can make a player, in any sport, do funny things, but with Robbie heading down the wing and looking likely to add try number 7 to the Exiles‘ tally, the Tigers‘ Number 10 took him out with a high, swinging arm, tackle which didn’t look good from any angle. Play continued with Conor Kennedy delivering a sublime in and out which left Tigers‘ Saki Naisau completely bewildered and Conor crossing the try line.

Birthday boy and Hooker, Dave Gairn, a PE Teacher at Nord Anglia School, put in a fantastic performance

As the try was being scored, Exiles‘ Number 8, Jaen Botes, another UAE International and former Welsh Premiership player, had done what any morally astute senior player would do when you see a teenage teammate get clotheslined. He’d taken issue with the Tigers‘ 10. A push and shove melee ensued as Tigers players flew into the Exiles‘ bench. Just when it seemed that handbags were being holstered, some clown of a spectator decided it would be very wise and very clever to jump over the railings onto the pitch to lend his weight to Tag Team Tigers.

Some sharp words and finger pointing from Exiles‘ Director of Rugby, Jacques Benade, and the uninvited guest was quickly making his way back over the barrier.

Jaen Botes stretches…

The incident took the momentum and the steam out of the game. Exiles‘ captain, Epeli Davetawalu, had the final word of the first half, crossing for the Exiles‘ seventh try. Half time 43 – 0 to the Dubai Exiles.

Michael Stubbs caused havoc in the Tigers‘ defence and opened to scoring for the Exiles

Teenager, Hannes Kruger, grabbed two tries

The second half was a more lethargic repeat of the first. It was still one-way traffic and the Exiles would cross the Tigers‘ try line another 8 times. Schalk Du Preez had too much pace for a Tigers‘ last defender. Jaen Botes was the try scorer from an Exiles scrum that bulldozed it’s way over from 10 metres out. Youngster, Hannes Kruger, on for the injured Robbie Sproul, grabbed a brace. Newcomer, Anthony Capp, scored on debut. Justin Walsh walked in another along with Epeli Davetawalu and Dave Gairn adding to their earlier scores.

Final Score: Dubai Exiles 91 – Dubai Tigers RFC 0

A huge thank you to the ball-boys from the Exiles’ Under 12s…

…they were all smiles

DUBAI EXILES RFC V DUBAI TIGERS

UAE Premiership (1st October 2021)