Over 200 budding rugby players kick-started the Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club's, Mini and Youth season at their pitch at the Al Ghazal Golf club.

Apart from the host club, teams from the recently formed Al Ain Amblers as well as the perennial opposition, the Dubai Exiles, took part in the event sponsored by Total, Zurich International Life, Harley Davidson and Evian water.

The Abu Dhabi U-14 team took part in the opener against Al Ain.

Man of the match

Abu Dhabi won the match with their number 8, "le Roc" Muller, winning the man of the match award for his two tries and all round impressive play.

This match was followed by the U-10's taking on the Dubai Exiles, the U-11's playing against a team from Al Ain and U-12's playing the Exiles.

In all three of these matches the visitors came out on top, narrowly pipping the "never say die" home teams.

However, the match of the day saw the Abu Dhabi U-17's pitted against the Dubai Exiles.

The teams went into the last period of an exciting match, which saw some great end-to-end rugby, tied at 15 point all.

With both sides putting in some big tackles and defending their lines with all they had, it was left to Jaco Pretorius to force his way over the line in the corner to seal victory for Abu Dhabi.

"This is an exciting age group to watch.

"A number of these players from both teams should be in the reckoning for higher honours during the season," said Richard Harris, the man behind Abu Dhabi's junior rugby.

The final match of the day was the U-15's contest where Abu Dhabi took on Al Ain.

This match picked up where the U-17's had left off, providing the home spectators with plenty to cheer about.

Comfortable win

Abu Dhabi won quite comfortably, with their scrum half, Charlie, picking up the man of the match award.

"Abu Dhabi's inaugural Mini and Youth tournament will be played at the same venue on November 17 and 18," said Harris.

Meanwhile, commenting on the senior team's perfect start in the Arabian Gulf Union League, new club captain William Kennedy said, "This year the team seems to possess a lot more character and more depth."

"Last year we finished fourth and this year hopefully we can improve on that," he added.

"This is an exciting age group to watch and a number of these players from both teams should be in the reckoning for higher honours during the season."

Richard Harris

Promoter, Youth rugby