RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S First XV rugby team secured their fifth victory on the trot yesterday in the 2025-26 West Asia Premiership.
The kingdom’s representatives battled back from twice down to defeat the Abu Dhabi Harlequins First XV 29-20 at Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) in Saar.
Gregor Smith scored two tries in the contest while Kelvin Kanenungo, Greg Heath, and Josh Petro all chipped in with a try apiece. Kenta Kutsuna and Cormac Fox also contributed to the scoreboard, with both players sending in a conversion.
The Harlequins got off to a flying start after scoring the match’s opening try in only the second minute of play for a 5-0 lead. But Kanenungo drove the ball home seven minutes later, squeezing through a gap in the opposing defence to tie it at 5-all. Kutsuna was then successful with his ensuing nudge to give the hosts the slim 7-5 edge.
Heath extended Bahrain’s advantage with a try in the 21st minute, although Kutsuna’s kick was marginally off target. The Harlequins then drew level at 12-all only four minutes later, which was enough to send the teams into the break deadlocked.
The visitors were then first on the board after the re-start, regaining the lead just two minutes into the second half with a try which they followed with a missed conversion. The Harlequins then went further in front at 20-12 with a penalty kick five minutes on, but they would not score again from there.
Smith replied with his first try of the afternoon into the right corner in the 12th minute of the period, and then Petro got the ball over the line in the 21st minute to put Bahrain back in command at 22-20. Kutsuna and Fox narrowly missed their conversion attempts on both occasions.
Bahrain then applied the nail in the coffin with the concluding try of the match by Smith. He scored in the last minute of regular time following a Harlequins turnover. Fox pegged the final score with a game-ending nudge.
Bahrain’s fifth victory of the season yesterday was their second at home, having also beaten the Dubai Dragons First XV at BRFC last month. Their three other wins were all away, including triumphs against the First XVs of Doha, the Dubai Exiles, and the Dubai Sharks.
Bahrain are the only unbeaten team remaining this campaign. The First XV are scheduled to return to action on November 14, when they take on defending champions the Dubai Hurricanes First XV at The Sevens Stadium. It will be the two teams’ first meeting since squaring off in the 2024-25 title-decider.
In other West Asia Premiership fixtures yesterday, the Sharks outclassed Doha 41-7 at the Qatari capital, while the Exiles stunned the Hurricanes 25-22 in Dubai.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
Panel
STANDINGS
P W D L +/- Pts
Bahrain 5 5 0 0 98 25
Harlequins 5 3 0 2 57 16
Hurricanes 4 2 0 2 8 11
Sharks 4 2 0 2 3 10
Exiles 4 1 0 3 -41 6
Dragons 4 1 0 3 -44 5
Doha 4 1 0 3 -81 4
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