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Gulf team beat Taipei away 26-30

Victory for Gulf
By Cz May 21 2005
The Arabian Gulf team secured an away win against Tapei in what was their finest hour in such a short Rugby history. They next face China some time later this year, the date has yet to be named, but is likely to be September or December in Dubai.

On the day the Arabian Gulf dug deep to secure an away win in what was their finest hour in their short Rugby history, overcoming the odds to secure a truly magnificent 26-30 World Cup qualification campaign victory against Taipei on Friday 20th May.

The Gulf led 12-30 at half time, and were cruising towards a comfortable win, however the home side had other things in mind and launched a furious comeback which produced two converted tries.

The momentum appeared to be with Taipei in a frantic finale but the Gulf´s defence was equal to the task and the final whistle, after an agonising period of time added on for stoppages, sparked extraordinary scenes of celebration.

It was an emotional day for the visitors who fielded four new caps in their starting line-up including Dubai Hurricanes winger James Tometzki who had a day he will never forget, landing six of his seven kicks at goal for a crucial total of 15 points.

The 21-year-old converted from football to rugby only a year ago and was almost sick from nerves before kick-off. But he showed terrific temperament to stroke over three penalties and three conversions, putting the seal on a superb team effort.

The Gulf forwards established the platform for the victory, dominating the scrums and gaining a crucial edge in the bruising close exchanges.

The visitors made the perfect start, dominating territorially and earning an early penalty in front of the posts which Tomestski easily landed. He then added a 40-metre effort before Chinese Taipei retaliated with a quality try from their first meaningful attack, winger Ya-Lun Lu polishing off a long-range attack with an impressive burst of speed down the left.

Tometzki then was wide with a 35-metre effort before a skipper´s try from Adrian Kerr extended the visitors´ lead. The scrum-half hacked on a loose ball some 20 metres out and won the chase for the touchdown, Tometzki converting for a 13-5 advantage.

The home side responded with a period of pressure. No 8 David Clark pulled off a try-saving tackle on the left but soon after the visitors conceded a penalty try after Taipei were impeded taking a quick five-metre penalty.

The conversion from Wei-Jen Chang closed the gap to a point but the Gulf turned around happier after a storming break down the middle by Abu Dhabi centre Stephan Sphor. He offloaded to Lutoi Tauafiafi and his fellow midfielder juggled the ball before stretching over the line to touch down for a try Tometzki converted.

The Gulf maintained an iron grip in the first 20 minutes of the second half, Clark battering his way over from a five-metre scrum for a try while Tometzki converted and then added a vital 30-metre penalty.

But at 30-12 down, Taipei burst to life and quicker ball allied to some smart handling changed the face of the game, the home side´s backs suddenly finding space to operate in.

Flanker Chun-Ming Chang found a gap in the Gulf´s defence to break straight down the middle of the pitch while full-back Chien-Ju Lee then scored the try of the match with a startling burst of pace which took him past a handful of defenders.

Chang landed both conversions to put the home side within touching distance yet despite plenty of pressure in the closing moments, the Gulf held on to win.

Skipper Kerr said: "To win is just awesome, and to do it away even better. It was a fantastic effort from the whole team.

"James won it for us with his kicking but all the new boys did superbly. In the pack Andy McFarlane and Dave Clark were outstanding.

"We talked before the game about showing spirit and character, and the team stepped up and delivered. It wasn´t pretty in the last ten minutes but we´ll take the win."

Tometski, meanwhile, came through a baptism of fire to admit: "I was terrified before kick off. I was incredibly nervous but it´s been a fantastic day, just brilliant."

The Gulf will now have the summer off before preparing for their next game, in Dubai against China.

No date has yet been set for that match, but at stake will be a place in the second qualification round - including potential clashes with the giants of Asian rugby; Japan and Korea


 

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