Muscat RFC    21      36  Dubai Dragons

A game littered with errors from both teams saw the Dragons make very heavy weather of a gallant but limited Muscat team.

Missing several experienced players the Dragons made the long drive to the Omani capital for a mid afternoon kickoff with temperatures of 36C plus.  Early Dragons pressure saw the ball moved to right winger Shane 'Junior' Thornton who inexplicably dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.  This set the tone for the rest of the half with several chances 'bombed' by both sides. 

The home team opened the scoring with a well worked try by captain Karl Sutcliffe who crossed under the posts after Muscat moved the ball from right to left in the Dragons twenty two.  The try was succesfully converted.  Muscat 7 Dragons 0.

The Dragons immediately hit back and scored three tries before half-time, one by openside flanker Burnon Croucamp, who was comfortably the man of the match on the day, another by Murray Campbell with experienced full back Sean Hurley grabbing the other.  Inaccurate goalkicking by centre Jonathon Grady, who missed with two attempts, saw the Dragons lead restricted to 7-17 at half time.

The second half started with the Dragons again applying pressure to the Muscat line, but defiant defence by the home team saw them keep their line intact for at least fifteen minutes before they conceded.  The try came courtesy of the Dragons pack who drove Edward Talbot over the line for a deserved try, again the conversion was wide.  Muscat 7 Dragons 22.

Muscat hit straight back for a fine team try scored by Johan De Lange. The conversion again by De Lange was successful and Muscat were back in the game at 14-22. 

However, slack defence straight from the kick off saw the Dragons again extend their lead with a try by lock Angus King, Grady was successful with the easy conversion to ease the Dragons away to a 14-29 lead. 

The best move of the game saw the Dragons move the ball between forwards and backs down the right before a quick ruck saw the ball transferred to centre field where yet another handling error saw the movement flounder.  However this was only brief respite for Muscat as concerted Dragons pressure saw half back Tom Otton cross between the uprights, again converted by Grady.  Muscat 14 Dragons 36.

A Final attack by Muscat saw them score a further try, again scored by captain Sutcliffe after a break by Muscat stalwart and former Arabian Gulf half back Gareth Allum who had just arrived as a late replacement.  De Lange added the conversion.

Final score Muscat RFC 21 Dubai Dragons 36.

From Muscat RFC

MRFC recurring Dragons nightmare

Dubai Dragons is proving to be MRFC’s bogey team.  Despite favourable play by MRFC, Dragons always seem to win.  MRFC playing their first home game for the rugby season were burnt by the Dragons 36 – 21 in the Al Khuwair heat.

The first half was characterised by flowing play by both team with the ball moving around both forwards and backs.  This search for each other’s game day weakness showed the familiarity of the teams.  MRFC fired the first salvo with a penalty kick in 7^th minute on goal by MRFC favoured kicker, Johan De Lange.  Unfortunately the ball went to the right of the post.  The scoreless first quarter chess match continued with a display of everything one could look forward in a rugby match except a score.  MRFC despite flashes of brilliance showed uncharacteristic errors that let them down just when they seem to have the advantage.   Dragons were able to exploit these loop holes and stay in the game.

The second quarter was much more active.  In the 21^st minute Dragons had a penalty shot that failed to split the upright.  Two minutes later MRFC did the same with their shot.  Some quick plays out of the scrum and darting run by inside centre lead to a break through and a try by Johan.  He then made up for previous misses and made the conversion count.  MRFC kept the momentum up dragging the Dragons in then exploiting the wings.  Gavin Douglas, playing his first match for MRFC, combine well with Karl Rasmussen which gave the Dragons several scares, bursting down the left wing, kicking, chasing and establishing his domain.  However, again, drop balls, forward passes and overrun meant that no scores came out of this domination.  Dragons, quickly switching play from right to left were able to dodge a weak tackle to score a try in the left corner.  The conversion was not successful.  The intensity kept building with referee Bosch steeping in to cool things down in the 35^th minute.  Dragons continued their staid play resulting in a try but no conversion in the 37th minute.  MRFC seemed to be disoriented by that try and while regrouping allowed another Dragons 5 points this time with a conversion.  MRFC eagerness kicked in to close the half putting pressure on Dragons.

Half time substitution by MRFC saw Pete Rigby coming on for Asad Khan.  The pressure was kept on the Dragons with MRFC searching for some scores.  10 minutes in MRFC made another substitution with veteran Gareth Allum coming on for scrum half Dominic Winfield.  This injected some intensity to the game.  Dragons stuck to their game plan despite the pressure and were rewarded with a try in the 36^th minute.  The conversion was not successful. 

Two minutes later MRFC responded with a try through Captain Karl Sutcliffe and Johan making the conversion count.  Dragons laboured attacking with their forwards.  A quick penalty restart by dragons allowed them to push forward and exploit MRFC slow response to score a try down the centre of the field.  The conversion counted this time bringing the phrenetic quarter to an end. 

The Dragons continued using their pack to push forward with MRFC; despite pushing power of Joey Maniel, Brett van Harm and Wade Killian; unable to hold them back.  This lead to another Dragons try which was not immediately clear even to the players on the field.  Again the conversion let the Dragons down.  MRFC responded by bringing on fresh legged Fred Sayers for Justin Pos in the forward.   MRFC lifted their lagging game again to gain several yards and keep the game in the Dragons half. 

Dragons sticking to their game plan kept the game flowing using attack as a form of defence.  Seeing the urgency to get some more points on MRFC brought on Omani speedster Saleh al Busaidi for Martin in full back position. This was Saleh’s debut in a competitive match for the club.  This helped pull the dragons to the wings to counter act some of MRFC determined runs. 

Then the moment of magic occurred, in the 38^th minute, through MRFC forwards breaking through and putting on a classy display of forward run, layoff, support and scoring a try.  Ross led and laid off to Johan, on to Ross, back to Johan, layoff to Karl and a try.  Quintessential rugby.  Johan again made the conversion count.  MRFC late surge attack unfortunately did not trouble the score board again.

The match was played in an air of espirit de corps.  The good nature of the game meant not yellow or red card were issued.  The scoreboard did not reflect MRFC classy play and exemplary use used of the pitch.  Dragons showed that discipline and focus on game plan worked.  Also the ability to capitalise on the opponents mistakes could add valuable point to the opposition.  MRFC heads to Bahrain for their next game on the 25^th September followed by the next home game 9^th October versus Kuwait.

Other club notes

Nine persons participated in a one day IRB Level one coaching course held on the 17th September.  Those that attend were shown several videos on coaching, had group work and two sessions out on the field practicing and commenting on various coaching points.  Most of the participants aim to be coaching junior rugby in Oman or whatever country they are in.  These people plan to go out and develop their skills and the game in Oman over the next few months.  Thus the parents of U-19 and U-13 team players can be assured that MRFC is presenting qualified persons to lead their children.  The refereeing course has been rescheduled for later this year.

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