Jebel Ali on course for double hat-trick

Dubai: Jebel Ali Dragons have a double hat-trick to defend in the Gulf Leagues of this year’s Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.

Not only is their first team on course to re-secure last-year’s local grand slam, following recent build-up wins in Jebel Ali and Al Ain. But, if the seconds and women’s sides reclaim honours in the Gulf Men’s and Women’s Leagues as well, they would have also recreated last year’s Dubai event treble.

The men’s and women’s teams won the cup, while the seconds lifted the plate. It follows a rich history from the club formed in 1992 as the Dubai Dragons and rebranded in 2010 as the Jebel Ali Dragons. They have had four previous men’s cup wins at the Dubai Sevens in 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2011 and one women’s cup win in 2011.

It follows their regional 15s success winning the Gulf League four years — running from 2003 to 2006 as well as five Gulf Cups from 2003 to 2007.

But now coach Shane Thornton and Chairman Tim Wood foresee trouble in re-asserting their authority.

Wood told Gulf News: “We feel we have a competitive club and are looking for another good Dubai Sevens again this year. Whether we are strong enough to achieve what we achieved last year, well, Sevens is an interesting game, so it could be a push to say we can achieve it all again, but we’ll be giving it our best shot.

“We’re here to defend the treble. But to successfully defend all three will be a tough call. Quite frankly they are all open competitions and with the nature of sevens, being such a tight sport it will come down to fine margins.”

Thornton said: “No excuses but 70 per cent of the women’s side are newcomers so they will just be looking to take every game as it comes. The seconds could push on from plate territory and join us in the cup and in that regard the semi-finals of the cup would be an admirable target for them.

“The firsts have got build-up wins from Jebel Ali and Al Ain already under their belt, but anything can happen in Dubai as all the teams will have their strongest players back from UAE national team duty.”

Thornton added: “We don’t fear anyone. Harlequins, Exiles and Hurricanes are always on good form, and then there’s Doha and Bahrain who are an unknown force.

“When you do so well one year everyone expects you to perform the same again. There’s no pressure but if we could retain our treble it would be awesome for the club.”