BAHRAIN secured another huge home win in the West Asia Premiership last night seeing off the challenge of a spirited Dubai Hurricanes outfit by 59-19 in Saar.
Winger Terence Tantoh was the undisputed man-of-the-match as he helped himself to three of Bahrain’s nine tries to go with 14 points from the boot of out-half Luke Radley.
Despite the extent of victory, Bahrain remain in fourth place in the league standings following last night’s result, as Dubai Exiles defeated table-toppers Abu Dhabi Harlequins 37-30 in the day’s most significant fixture.
That result in the UAE was a positive for the remaining title contenders, although the two bonus points gained by reigning champions Harlequins for scoring four tries and finishing within seven points means the championship is theirs to throw away.
Dispelled
Bahrain ensured they will at least make things interesting until the final day of the regular season, as Tantoh opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes and Radley converted for a 7-0 lead.
Any thoughts that Bahrain would run away with victory were quickly dispelled however, as the Hurricanes responded with a try of their own almost immediately.
Much to the delight of another boisterous home crowd, Tantoh had his double inside the first quarter and further scores from full-back Iwan Phillips and flanker Rhys Fitzgerald had the bonus point secured by half-time.
With ‘Canes already out of the running for a play-off place prior to yesterday’s fixture, they could have been forgiven for losing interest in the second-half but to their credit, they came out of the blocks firing and registered their second try in the corner.
A strong home bench made all the difference against a tiring opposition, however, and tries from Sesimani Tupou, Alastair Crombie, Jonny Kenny, Tommy Booth, Phillips and Tantoh saw Bahrain pull away for another impressive win.