Exiles Under 19s have a near perfect 2022-23 season

The Dubai Exiles Under 19s won the Cup Final in almost all of the tournaments that they entered throughout the 2022-23 UAE rugby season. The U19s season got off to a great start winning the Cup Final of the Abu Dhabi Tournament in November. That was followed by the, oh so nearly, Emirates Dubai 7s Gulf Under 19 Boys title in December. The Exiles Under 19s being the first club side to reach the final since 2015.

In January it was the biggest Mini & Youth Rugby Festival in the region, the HSBC, the Exiles Under 19s winning that Cup Final. Then finally, the last hurrah, all roads leading to Al Ain, for the final of the UAE A-League against the Dubai Hurricanes.

The Exiles and the Hurricanes enjoyed a good tussle in the opening minutes

Kyle Hugo scored the try that wasn’t

It was a 1:40pm kick off on Pitch 1 at Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club for the UAE Under 19 A-League Final. The pitch has just been vacated by the Exiles Under 16 side who’d just defeated the Dubai Tigers, 26 – 17, in their A-League final. Despite the haziness of the sunshine, temperatures were soaring on the Al Ain pitches and this game was inevitably going to make things even hotter.

The Hurricanes kicked off and got the game underway. It was clear from the outset that both sides were keen to ‘have a go’ at each other. Whether it was early nerves or the legs were still somewhere on the bus after the journey up the E66, both sides were struggling to hold onto the ball in the opening exchanges. What was apparent amongst the knock-ons was that the Exiles Under 19’s scrum was looking very dominant.

EXILES UNDER 19S HOST WHITGIFT SCHOOL FROM UK ON PITCH 1

The Dubai Exiles Under 19s, after waving goodbye to sevens rugby for the remainder of the 2022-23 season, hosted Whitgift School on Pitch 1 at The Sevens Stadium in early January. For the young men-on-black, or red on this occasion, it was their first game of 15s rugby of the season.

Whitgift have a formidable reputation in UK Schools rugby and the game proved to be a hugely entertaining and tight affair. After a hugely entertaining 70 minutes of rugby the game was balanced on a knife edge with 4 tries a piece. It was Whitgift that got across the finish line with the final kick of the game – a penalty that saw the tourers leave The Sevens Stadium and head home with a 26 – 27 win.

With the match clock marking six minutes of play had elapsed the Exiles looked like they had the opening score of the UAE A-League final. Scrum half, Charlie Pollard, had moved the ball away from a ruck to Max Wilson, Max threw a long pass, that took out the entire Hurricanes defence, to hooker Sean Mackenzie, Sean carried for almost 30 metres before passing to Exiles‘ wing Cameron Robertson.

When the scrambling Hurricanes defence caught up with the Exiles attack, a quick ruck and Charlie Pollard delivered an inch perfect pass to Kyle Hugo who burst through the Hurricanes‘ defence and across the line to score – or so everybody thought. A quick chat between the referee and one of his assistants and the try was ruled out the ball having been adjudged to be held up over the line.

The arm wrestle resumed, both sides working hard to find openings in what were very well organised defences. The first score of the game came on 20 minutes. The referee had penalised the Hurricanes for an offside in their own 22, Tayne Stannard stepped up, for what by his standard, was a very simple 3 points. 3 – 0 to the Exiles.

Charlie Pollard sends Kyle Hugo over the line

EXILES UNDER 19S SEASON 2022-23

The game was still proving to be a tight affair. When the first half was showing 30 minutes elapsed, the Hurricanes were again penalised for being offside in their 22. Max Wilson sent the ball across the touch line for an Exiles line-out. The ball was gathered, some quick hands and Tayne Stannard forced himeself over the Hurricanes‘ line to score the opening try which he converted. 10 – 0 to the Exiles Under 19s.

Like a London bus, and with time up on the clock signalling the end of the first half, the Exiles‘ second try came along. It all started with a scrum in the Hurricanes‘ 22. Several attempts were made to blast over the Hurricanes line by various players, but the ‘Canes defence stood strong against the first wave. With a ruck three metres from the Hurricanes‘ try line, Charlie Pollard passed the ball to Darius Cassia a Hurricane had shot out of the line and created a huge hole for Darrius Cassia to ghost through and score. Converted by Tayne Stannard. 17 – 0 to the Exiles Under 19s. Half Time.

Kyle Hugo had a big game

Kyle Van Der Merwe leaves the field after putting in a huge effort

The second half was more of the same as the first. The game was proving to be very physical and direct but when Darius Cassia ghosted through the Hurricanes‘ line and then outstripped the cover to score under the posts, the contest, at least on the scoreboard, for all intents and purposes, was over. Converted by Tayne Stannard. 24 – 0 to the Exiles Under 19s.

Big shout out to Securitas!

Max Wilson and Kyle Van Der Merwe have a seat

The Exiles fourth try, the last try of the final was a strange one. After carrying hard and recycling through multiple phases in the Hurricanes‘ half, Tayne Stannard grubbered the ball through the Hurricanes‘ line for Max Wilson to give chase. It looked simple enough for the Hurricanes‘ defender to ground the ball in the in-goal but he completely missed it and Max Wilson couldn’t believe his luck! Converted by Tayne Stannard. 31 – 0 to the Exiles Under 19s. Full Time.

DUBAI EXILES UNDER 19S vs DUBAI HURRICANES UNDER 19S

UAE A-League Final (11th March 2023) – Al Ain Amblers Rugby Football Club

DUBAI EXILES UNDER 19S vs WHITGIFT SCHOOL

Tour Match (January 3rd 2023) – The Sevens Stadium