A series of tries from Abu Dhabi Harlequins backs Tony Matthews, John O’Connor and Murray Strang maintained the reigning champions’ winning start to the season in a convincing 29-8 away win in Doha last Saturday.

Doha, who has not lost in their last 21 home games, was treated to a convincing display of hard and fast attacking rugby in front of a packed home crowd.

The match saw the welcome return of Quins’ stand-off Murray Strang. He clocked up a personal tally of 14 points with three conversions and a penalty to go with his try.

Abu Dhabi Harlequins Captain Ali Thompson

Quins’ Man of the Match, Matthews, coped flawlessly with Doha’s aerial tactics at full-back by soaking up the pressure and hitting Doha hard on the counter-attack, nullifying one of the opposition’s key strengths in the process.

Ali Thompson, Quins’ head coach and captain, said he was satisfied with the result “not many teams go to Qatar and get a result. “Again, our superior fitness levels throughout the squad, and the power and pace of our backline, were to the fore.”

He believes there is more to come, however: “Unforced errors and indiscipline continue to creep into our game. As we progress, we need to be more patient in possession and start to build the phases in a controlled manner.” The Abu Dhabi Harlequins take on the Dubai Hurricanes away this weekend

What others are saying (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed