RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S First XV rugby team stormed to a resounding 33-12 victory over the Doha First XV last night in the 2025-26 West Asia Premiership.
The kingdom’s top squad maintained their unbeaten record so far after four fixtures as they put on a class performance at Doha Sports Park in the Qatari capital.
Tries from Kenta Kutsuna, Gregor Smith, Jack Hocking, Romeo Eksteen, and David Evans – along with four conversions from an in-form Kutsuna – lifted the visitors against the hosts.
Bahrain registered four of their tries in the first half alone as they enjoyed a commanding 26-7 cushion at the break, and they never looked back.
Kutsuna put his side on the board first when he drove the ball in after 15 minutes before kicking in the ensuing conversion. After the Qataris drew level four minutes on, Bahrain were back in front with a Smith try, assisted by a Kutsuna nudge, and then Kutsuna sent in another conversion to make it 14-7.
Hocking extended their advantage with a try from the left corner, and then Eksteen contributed his try, followed by a Kutsuna conversion, for their 26-7 lead at the interval.
Evans had Bahrain’s last try of the contest three minutes after the re-start. Kutsuna added two more bonus points to complete his impressive performance for the evening.
The Qataris got one try back minutes before the final whistle, but the game had already been sealed at that point as they suffered their second loss in three outings.
With the result, Bahrain took their fourth win on the trot after earlier beating the Dubai Dragons First XV at home as well as the Dubai Exiles First XV and the Dubai Sharks First XV, both away. Last season’s West Asia Premiership runners-up are scheduled to return to action after a couple of weeks. They next play the Abu Dhabi Harlequins First XV on November 1 at Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Saar (BRFC).
Meanwhile, on Saturday next week, Bahrain’s Second XV take on the Al Ain Amblers First XV at BRFC.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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