Big match in Muscat over the weekend Kuwait and Muscat in the Gulf Premiership, (Report provided by the Gulf Rugby Paper)

Muscat 26-0 Kuwait

Muscat ground out a bonus point victory in a scrappy encounter with the main talking point being the weather. Because of flight times, the match had to kick off at 4pm on one of the hottest days in the Sultanate with temperatures close to 40 degrees.

The game had all the hallmarks of two teams in desperate need of game time. Referee Pete Dennehy had his hands full with sloppy passes and simple mistakes resulting in seventeen scrums in the first twenty minutes. Muscat controlled possession but couldn’t string phases together because of basic handling errors. Kuwait for their part concentrated on defense around the ruck and to spoil any quality ball.

A large crowd attended the game hoping for some live action before the commencement of the World Cup later that day. Quality viewing however was in short supply in the first half.

The break in the scoreline came after a penalty in the Omani half allowed Simon Taylor to find position inside the Kuwaiti 22. A pick and drive from Zak Harper after a collapsed maul meant that the scoreline was 5-0.

The game was then interrupted by a head injury to seasoned player Faisal Al Amer who thankfully after hospitalization for a short period he was released and allowed to travel back to Kuwait.

After play resumed, Muscat capitalized on a handling error by the visitors backline for Taylor to cross the line. This left the score line at 12-0 at half time with Jack Powell converting on the second attempt.

The second half got off to an ideal start for the home side with a converted try from Josh Work who beat his man on the wing. Kuwait found a renewed resilience in defense however and were determined not to concede the bonus point.

Taking advantage of a penalty, Kuwait worked their way up the pitch using good ball retention to drag the Muscat defense from one side to the other. They were unlucky not take a consolation try after a last ditch tackle from Brett van Harmelen halted the Kuwaiti attack.
Time was running out but with the temperature, lack of subs and a sinbinning the visitors just couldn’t hold on stop the last try. Van Harmelen used the pick and drive technique again to power over the line and secure the extra point for Muscat.

Both teams will be taking lessons from this. Widely written off before the game, Kuwait have put down a marker to say that they are here to compete, even away from home. And while they’ll be disappointed not to come away with points, they can take heart in the standard of rugby they played.

Speaking after the game Muscat captain Alex Maxton said “I’m hugely satisfied to get the first win in our first game especially considering all the effort the guys put into pre-season.”

Great report and thanks to Conor Quaid and good to see Pete Dennehy back on the referee circuit this season.