Two weeks after they were handed their first defeat this season, Doha RFC 1st XV blanked out Bahrain RFC 32-0 to get their West Asia Championship campaign back on track at home yesterday.
And with four tries in the match, one each by Caine Elisara, Jonathan Davies, Morgan Ward and Dinesh Sanjeeva Gamaralalage, the home team earned their fourth bonus point from as many wins, taking their points haul to 20 at the top of the table.
“It was good to get back on track with a win. We know it is going to be tough competition to take out with that loss, but we needed a bonus point victory and we got there at about the 74th minute of the game. That was relief,” Doha coach Aaron Palmer said after the game.
Despite a sketchy start to the match, Doha picked up the first try when a kick by Bahrain landed with full back Aaron McLelland, who just took off towards the centre. Sensing he was being closed in on, he passed it on to Brook Tremayne, who then sent the ball on to the flanks to Ward. Ward managed to go behind the lines and planted it under the post, setting up Tremayne’s conversion effort.
Moments later, Elisara scored Doha’s second try off a melee near the post, stretching, even as Bahrain defence tried subduing him. Tremayne’s conversion and then two penalty-kicks meant that Doha went into the break 20-0 up.
“The first half in the beginning was not free flowing al all. We made too many errors. We woke up at about 30 minutes and scored two good tries and then went back to sleep again. We missed two tries, and we got to take those opportunities because they don’t come often,” Palmer said.
In the second half, quick work by McLelland and Gregory Evans set up Davies, who dodged a few tackles to score the third try, which was also duly converted.
With another try needed for the bonus point, Doha players showed a sense of urgency. A lineout close to the five-metre line developed into a push and tug affair, and Gamaralalage was able to ground the ball for a try. Having scored near the left flank, Tremayne’s conversion kick from an angle swerved past the far side post.
“Any score where we keep the opponents to zero is massive. We started off pretty slow, we found our feet halfway through the first half. There were a couple of unforced errors; plenty to work on going into the last few games. Bonus point is what we wanted and we got that,” captain Jamie Clarke said after the match.
Clarke and team-mate Thomas Nolan earned their 50 caps for DRFC a couple of weeks ago, and were awarded their customary 50 caps blazer after the win.
“It was actually two weeks ago at Exiles so it wasn’t perfect,” Clarke, who played his first game for DRFC in 2012, said, referring to the 14-25 loss in Dubai on January 29. “I wanted to get the blazer at home in front of friends. It feels awesome to get it especially after a win. It was a hard grind but I have got there. Four seasons… It’s been non-stop since then.”
Doha’s next assignment is a big one against Abu Dhabi Harlequins, who are on a winning run of their own, winning against Muscat, Al Ain, Jebel Ali Dragons and Dubai Hurricanes.
“It will be a very, very tough match. That is a test match, and thankfully it is at home, which is a bonus for us. They are a top team. We have to win that and we have to take the bonus point to have any chance of taking the title,” Palmer said.
Clarke added: “They are unbeaten and it’s a big game. But having them at home is a big advantage for us. We have to work towards eliminating the errors we made today and hopefully come away with a win. Two weeks’ (gap) helps because a few boys have a few niggles, so it’s good for us. Not ideal, but it helps. Hopefully we can build well.”