Defending champions Bahrain defeated the visiting Jebel Ali Dragons 31-12 in front of a packed crowd at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) last night, qualifying for the 2023-24 West Asia Premiership Rugby League. won three consecutive games. This is an important bonus point for them to rise to the top of the seven teams with 14 points. (According to tournament regulations, bonus points will be added if you score 4 or more tries in one match.)
Fly-half Mason Porteous was once again a star for the home side with his precise kicking skills as Bahrain overcame a 5-0 deficit at the start of the game to secure a comprehensive victory against the Dragons, who looked to have lost their way early on. I got it. When the Reds regained their momentum.
The visiting team’s fourth consecutive defeat means they remain at the bottom of the table, with the only bonus point they picked up from a 17-13 loss to Dubai Exiles last month. (According to tournament regulations, bonus points will be added if you lose by less than 7 points.)
Bahrain captain Alastair Crombie told GDN after the match: “I’m really happy to have won with a bonus point against a strong Dragons team.”
“They worked hard today. I thought they were a very aggressive, physical and well-organized team from the start.
“We started a little slow, but once we got into the game we were well organized at the end. We showed good structure and patience towards the end to get the bonus point.
“Bonus points are going to be really important to get us through this year, so it was great to finally get that fourth try.
“Overall, I’m really happy with today’s result. We had a great crowd supporting us and the players love playing at home, so it’s a great foundation for us to move forward. It has become.”
Earlier, as the match began, both teams trotted onto the pitch as the crowd cheered the home team and the words “Let’s go, Bahrain!” flashed on a giant screen. By the fifth minute, the Dragons were up 5-0.
Bahrain eventually equalized in the 18th minute with a try from Rory Drummond, and a minute later Porteous made his first of four kicks of the night to put his team ahead 7-5.
In the 26th minute, Porteus scored another special kick, giving Bahrain a five-point lead at 10-5.
Three minutes later, Porteous was active again, this time scoring a try and extending Bahrain’s lead to 10 points at 15-5.
And when Porteus converted his third kick of the night in the 40th minute, Bahrain led 24-5 heading into the half-time break.
The Dragons seemed to regain their composure immediately after the break, scoring a try and a kick in quick succession in the 43rd minute to cut the gap to 12 points at 24-12.
However, that was the only joy they experienced for the rest of the match as Bahrain stepped up their defence.
For the next 30 minutes, an all-out battle ensued with both teams trying to break through each other’s defenses, but they were unable to score.
However, with the clock ticking inexorably towards full time, Bahrain’s David Evans finally broke through the Dragons defense and scored a try in the 80th minute.
Bahrain were now leading 29-12 and there was just enough time for Porteus to convert the last kick of the game to seal a big win for the home side.
Bahrain, who achieved a hat-trick of titles in the 2022-23 season, are aiming to win the championship for the fourth year in a row, and after an overwhelmingly strong start to this year’s competition, it seems very likely that they will achieve that goal. seems to be expensive.
However, they still have a long way to go and will face a serious challenge from Dubai Tigers, who currently sit in second place with nine points after two wins from two games.
The Tigers will play their third game of the season today against Dubai Hurricanes, preparing for their next match against Bahrain on November 4 in Dubai.