Abu Dhabi: The National Bank of Abu Dhabi-sponsored Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club started their campaign in the 2007-08 season with a thrilling 8-8 draw against last year's runners-up Dubai Exiles at the Al Ghazal Golf Club here on Friday night.
The match kicked off in hot and humid conditions with England winger David Strettle, brought over by another one of the club's sponsors Etihad Airlines, in attendance.
Within the first ten minutes Nico Van Niekerk crossed for the home team scoring a try that went unconverted. This was followed late in the half by a penalty from both sides for the score to be 8-3 to Abu Dhabi at half time.
War of attrition
The second half was a war of attrition with Grant Bateman, the referee on the night, working hard to keep the match under control.
The Exiles eventually broke Abu Dhabi's defence to score a five pointer. The conversion was missed, so too a penalty by the Exiles with five minutes to go that would have broken the home supporter's hearts.
Matt Holzl had a chance for glory for Abu Dhabi with time almost up but pulled his 40-metre penalty effort left of the posts.
The full-time score was 8 -8 which seemed a fair reflection of the competitiveness of the match.
Earlier in the evening the Abu Dhabi 2nd XV lead by club stalwart, Scott Watters, beat the Arabian Pot Bellies 14 - 5. The Abu Dhabi U-19's, who opened the evening's events went down to a well-drilled Dubai English College in an early season friendly 7 - 10.
Meanwhile, in Dubai at the first Ladies Tournament of the New Season, the Abu Dhabi women's team went one better than the men, beating the Dubai Exiles.
They then lost to Doha Oryx team before thrashing the Doha Trojans 36 - 0.
They won another match against Kuwait before being trounced by last year's champions, the Dubai Hurricanes. The total result left Paul O'Donnell the new coach very content, a press release from the Bats said.
