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.