Arabian Gulf claim first Asian five nations win

Bahrain: The Arabian Gulf claimed their first HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) victory with a 16-9 win over Hong Kong last night at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club.

James Love scored 11 points (three penalties, two conversions) to take the tournament's top scorer honours in week two, while scrumhalf Jonny MacDonald scored the game's sole try. Hong Kong's Keith Robertson accounted for all nine of the visitors' points through three penalties.

The Arabian Gulf jumped out to a 13-3 lead at halftime courtesy of eight first-half points to Love, who plays his club rugby for Bahrain RFC and was basking in the affection of the 1,800 spectators. Later, Jonny Macdonald snuck through for the only try of the game, with Love's conversion giving the hosts a 10-0 lead. Hong Kong flyhalf Keith Robertson secured Hong Kong's first points with a penalty to bring the score to 10-3 with only a minute left in the half.

The Arabian Gulf quickly closed the door on any potential momentum that Hong Kong could take from Robertson's penalty through stifling defence. In the final minute of the half, Love slotted a second penalty to send the Gulf into halftime 13-3 up.

In a tense second half, the Arabian Gulf defence held strong and they took their chances against the run of play well. They could only muster three more points but it was enough to seal a historic win for Arabian Gulf rugby.