RUGBY – BAHRAIN’S First XV rugby team eked out a hard-earned 16-15 victory over defending champions the Dubai Hurricanes First XV last night in the 2025-26 West Asia Premiership.
The kingdom’s representatives drove in one try in the low-scoring affair through Alastair Crombie, while Cormac Fox was in fine form, contributing one conversion and three penalty kicks in the tight win.
Crombie put the visitors ahead at The Sevens Stadium in the UAE with his try in the 21st minute. Fox sent in the ensuing conversion for the early 7-0 advantage, which they extended nine minutes later to 10-0 with Fox’s first penalty.
After the hosts got onto the scoreboard, Bahrain opted to go for the posts once more and Fox delivered yet again, giving them a 13-3 cushion heading into the break.
Bahrain were first to score after the re-start with Fox’s third successful penalty kick six minutes into the second half, making it 16-3. But then they were caught napping late in regular time as the Hurricanes sneaked through for a try and conversion, narrowing their deficit to 10-16.
The title holders then rode their momentum into stoppage time, when they gave Bahrain a scare with a try that made it 15-16. But their conversion attempt – which was the final kick of the game – went just wide, securing Bahrain’s win. It was the sixth straight triumph for the kingdom’s premier rugby side, who maintained their hold on first place on the league standings.
Last night’s clash was the first meeting between the two sides since squaring off in the 2024-25 title-decider, which the Hurricanes won in an upset result.
The contest was also the last fixture for Bahrain this calendar year. The First XV only return to action on January 16, when they host the Dubai Sharks First XV at Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Saar.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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