Dubai: Holders Dubai Exiles once again appear to be the team to beat in the Gulf Cup after cruising through to the quarterfinals without conceding a try in group play.
Mike Cox-Hill's side opened up with a 38-0 defeat of Abu Dhabi before thumping Saudi Select 63-0, and then put 41 points on a competitive Saudi Scorpions outfit.
It was a feat repeated by the club's second string who also went through without their lines being breached as Al Ain, Lanka Lions and Riyadh were all dispatched with ease.
Last season's final was contested by the two sides, and a repeat is on the cards if both teams can maintain form.
Dubai Dragons topped Group C with three straight wins, including a notable 21-0 first-up win over Kuwait Nomads who travelled with a strong contingent of Fijians, including Saimoni Rokini who represented his country here in the IRB event in 2002.
Dubai Hurricanes progressed with a 100 per cent record, as did Beirut Phoenicians who were made to battle hard in all three of their outings against Dubai Frogs, Barrelhouse and Muscat II.
Doha, too, qualified with three successive wins, downing Muscat, the Falcons and Hurricanes II.
There was no brotherly love shown as Dubai Hurricanes beat Zenobians to reach the quarter-finals of the Gulf Cup.
Jason Knox captained the Hurricanes while younger brother Ryan led the Damascus-based opposition.
