Abu Dhabi: Harlequins first team coach Allaistair Thompson is playing down his side's Gulf Men's League title hopes, despite two wins taking the Quins to the top of Group C on day one of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.
The Abu Dhabi Quins first team beat TOA II 50-0 and Bahrain 33-5. But there's no signs of complacency emerging from the camp.
Thompson told Gulf News, "I wouldn't say we are the team to beat. There are four very competitive groups. We had a tournament last week in Al Ain and we came out of that as losing finalists so with that behind us we are certainly coming into this competition with confidence. But there are good sides around so we'll take every win as it comes."
"The target has got to be the final [Gulf Men's Trophy]. We've got to win our group to have an easier quarter final and then get past the semis.
Tournament
"We're challenging in the 15s and taking this [sevens] seriously. It's a long time since Abu Dhabi won a tournament we'd love the silverware."
"Last couple of seasons we have been the top side in the UAE but the rivalry is very strong it doesn't get any weaker there's not a lot between the teams it just comes down to the match and how the team performs on the day."
The Harlequins' first team could well have competition emerging in Groups B and D of the Gulf Men's League with Barrelhouse Yobs and Dubai Exiles 1 also recording double wins, but so far on points scored the Quin's first team look a hot prospect for the tournament.
Bahrain Firblogs failed to show resulting in byes for their planned opponents. The groups continue today through to the quarter finals. The top two clubs from each group compete for the trophy while the bottom two go in for the knockouts for the plate. The finals of each will be on Saturday.
Group A
Dubai Dragons I 28-12 Muscat
Al Ain Amblers 26-17 Muscat
Group B
Dubai Hurricanes I 35-0 Dubai Dragons II
Dubai frogs 10-28 Barrelhouse Yobs
Dubai Hurricanes I 10-12 Barrelhouse Yobs
Dubai Frogs 17-10 Dubai Dragons II
Group C
Doha 7-21 Bahrain
Abu Dhbai Harlequins I 50-0 TOA II
Doha 42-5 TOA II
Abu Dhabi Harelquins I 33-5 Bahrain
Group D
Exiles I 30-0 Abu Dhabi Harlequins II
Hurricanes 15-26 TOA I
Exiles I 19-15 TOA I
Hurricanes 2 40-0 Abu Dhabi Harelquins II.
