Fresh from respectable victories in recent weeks, the Dubai hosts would have fancied their chances over a Bahrain team who were making their first visit to the UAE this season. However despite a short early episode of possession the home team soon gave up dominance to the similar styled Bahrain who were more ruthless and tactically committed than their baffling opponents.

First half tries to tidy flyhalf Dan Bull and Martin Knights were backed up with a further conversion and penalty by the skilled Bull giving Bahrain a 15-0 lead at half time.

In the end though Bahrain withstood Exiles attacks and sealed their victory with a late try to lock Mark Burnell to end proceedings with a 20-0 win.

For the victor’s South African fullback Jaco Lenreas kept this team in prime attacking territory with his booming kicks while the defeated Exiles can take some solace in the efforts of New Zealander Luke Mohring at wing. Forward Dave Vittes, a former hooker now playing at flanker, was his team’s deserved MVP winner.