Harlequins retained their status as kings of Abu Dhabi and belatedly launched their Sport360° UAE Premiership season after beating Saracens 26-9 last night.
Player/coach Jeremy Manning, guilty of leaving his kicking boots at home on opening night at Zayed Sports City two weeks ago, certainly packed them in his kitbag for a bruising capital clash that was decided by the New Zealander’s clinical kicking and two eye-catching Matt Hawley tries.
Manning has previously expressed delight with his gifted young players, including Englishman Hawley and local favourite Adel Al Hendi, but they were outshone on the evening by fellow teenager Iziq Foa’i, whose aggressive running and powerful breaks drove his side towards the four points.
It had not begun well for the hosts, who were 9-6 behind at the break, seemingly unable to shake themselves of the disappointment from two losses this season.
That all changed after the interval. Within four minutes of the second half starting, winger Hawley had put Quins into a lead they never relinquished. He touched down in the corner for the game’s opening try, one that had arisen from yet more excellent work from Foa’i.
The burly centre burst through Sarries’ defence at will before off-loading to partner Chris Marshall who sent 18-year-old Hawley in after drawing the last man.
Manning was deadly with the conversion, nailing it from the sideline with consummate ease.
The former Munster man, who had potted two penalties in the first 40 minutes to answer three from Sarries’ fly-half Dougie Steele, kicked his third soon after to put the hosts ahead by a converted try.
He hit a fourth penalty to give Quins breathing room at 19-9 after Phil Brady was sent to the sin-bin. And when the second-rower ret-urned to the fold, Quins delivered a knock-out blow, Marshall instrumental again.
He broke from a Sarries scrum deep in Quins territory and des-pite tiring near the 22, found the willing Hawley in support and hacked ahead.
The Surrey teen beat Sarries full-back Matt Hutchings to the ball to touch down in the corner and seal a memorable win.
Manning again converted from a seemingly impossible angle, and it was evident that Quins had exorcised some early season dem-ons with this impressive win.
Meanwhile, table-topping Jebel Ali Dragons overcame Dubai Exiles 27-6 to remain unbeaten.
Dragons ran in three tries, captain Nick Taylor opening the scoring within the first minute.
Hooker Sean Crombie made it 14-3 just after the interval with a try and a superb solo effort from Ryno Fourie rounded off the victory.
Xodus Wasps remain winless as they went down to a 19-0 defeat to Dubai Hurricanes, who played nearly the entire match with 14 men after Graham Chapman was shown red for retaliating to a punch.
Canes scored three tries through Daryl Johnson, Ricky Thomas and Todd Freemantle to return to winning ways
