Dubai Tigers set for 'biggest game in club's history' in West Asia final against Bahrain

Duane Aholelei, the Dubai Tigers captain, has labelled Saturday’s West Asia Premiership final against Bahrain the biggest game in the club’s history.

It says much about the gap in experience the UAE side are giving away to their guests in the season’s showpiece fixture that that history is only just stretching into double figures.

The Tigers are celebrating their 10th year of existence this season. They are hoping to celebrate by lifting a second major trophy of the campaign, having won the title at the Dubai Sevens in December. They are also top placed ahead of the UAE Premiership playoffs to follow.

Between them and regional supremacy is a side who have been well used to accruing major titles for over half a century.

Bahrain first came into being as a section of the British Club in Manama in 1971. They became their own rugby club three years later, and have been one of the giants of Arabian Gulf rugby in the time since. For much of the most recent past, they have been the side to beat in West Asia.

The Tigers are unlikely to be daunted by their opposition’s impressive history, though. They secured a home final when they trounced Bahrain 41-28 at the same venue back in March.

Aholelei said that result will count for nothing when the finale gets underway at 3pm at Tigers Park in Al Sufouh on Saturday.

“Everyone is ready and excited, and the whole club is buzzing for it,” Aholelei said. “That game was the last one of the round-robin and finals footy is always a different beast from the regular season.

“We all know Bahrain are a really top side and we have been reminding the boys we can’t dwell on that one game. They have shown how good they are for the past couple of seasons, and we expect them to come back strong and