Arabian Gulf claim historic A5N victory

Japan kick off their defence of the distinctive trophy against Korea

The Arabian Gulf brought Hong Kong back down to earth with a bump after recording an historic 16-9 victory in their HSBC Asian 5 Nations encounter in Bahrain.

The victory - their first in the Top 5 in six attempts - throws wide open the race to finish as either champions or runners up to secure direct passage to Rugby World Cup 2011 or a place in cross-continental play-off.

Japan are undoubtedly favourites to secure a third successive title, but Arabian Gulf have now dealt Hong Kong's hopes a blow while also showing that they are not merely there to make up the Top 5.

Hong Kong would have gone into the match expecting to win after upsetting 2008 runners up Korea 32-8 with an impressive display last weekend, but instead it was the Arabian Gulf who made the early running.

James Love, playing on familiar territory at his Bahrain Rugby Club ground, kicked a penalty and converted scrum half Jonny MacDonald's try to give the Arabian Gulf a 10-0 lead.

Hong Kong finally got on the scoreboard with a penalty late in the first half through fly half Keith Robertson, but Love ensured the hosts still went in with that 10-point cushion with his second penalty.

Giving everything

The Arabian Gulf spent long periods of the second half on defensive duty, but their line held firm and kept Hong Kong at bay with Love slotting another penalty to increase their lead.

Robertson brought Hong Kong back to within a converted try with two penalties, but the Arabian Gulf were not to be denied the maiden win as they bounced back well from a 43-28 loss in Kazakhstan last weekend.

"It was a great effort from the boys," enthused Arabian Gulf captain Michael Cox-Hill, whose side had returned to the Top 5 after winning Division I last year. "They could not have given any more than they did."

The Arabian Gulf will need the same level of commitment next week when they travel to Tokyo to take on Asia's top side Japan, who begin their title defence with a trip to Daegu to face Korea on Saturday.

Life does not get any easier for Hong Kong either, with 2009 runners up Kazakhstan arriving in town fresh after their bye and eager to prove last year's win over their hosts was no one-off.