Chairmans win
John Bentley spared star-studded Chairman's XV
Chairmans win
By cz May 30 2005
In the long history of this game, the Exiles have never recorded a victory over their select opposition and they're unlikely to come closer than this years match.
Chairmans win
In the long history of this game, the Exiles have never recorded a victory over their select opposition and they're unlikely to come closer than this years match.
John Bentley spared the blushes of Jim Lees star-studded Chairman's XV with a match-winning try in the final seconds of the annual end of season challenge against the Dubai Exiles at Al Awir last night.
The former British Lions and England winger took a pass at a smart angle some 35 metres out and motored through the cover to score under the posts, putting his side 22pts-17 ahead.
Lees, taking part in his final chairman's game for the Exiles after being voted out of office, failed to convert the conversion.
But the 75-year-old had already done his bit for the guest team after coming off the bench for the final two minutes of the game.
He took his place in the front row, immediately packing down for a scrum which, out of respect for the veteran prop, was uncontested.
And the result, for virtually the first time in the evening, was quality ball at the back of the setpiece for the chairman's team which immediately took advantage, creating the space for Bentley to dash away for a touchdown.
In the long history of this game, the Exiles have never recorded a victory over their select opposition and they're unlikely to come closer than this years match.
The home side were first on the board thanks to a close-range try from Arabian Gulf international lock Pete Stapley, converted by Jimmy Larsen.
And although former Exiles full-back Roger John pulled back five points after a sustained period of pressure, cashing in on an overlap to cross wide on the left, it was the home side that continued to have the upper hand, making their greater understanding count.
Hooker Jonny Blackburn made a good break down the right and his inside pass found lock Olli Jones who had enough strength to make the line for an unconverted try.
The chairman's team, though, had the final word of the first half when Jonathan Nicholls crossed from close range for a try which former British Lion and Scottish international Craig Chalmers converted to tie the game at 12-12.
The former British Lions and England winger took a pass at a smart angle some 35 metres out and motored through the cover to score under the posts, putting his side 22pts-17 ahead.
Lees, taking part in his final chairman's game for the Exiles after being voted out of office, failed to convert the conversion.
But the 75-year-old had already done his bit for the guest team after coming off the bench for the final two minutes of the game.
He took his place in the front row, immediately packing down for a scrum which, out of respect for the veteran prop, was uncontested.
And the result, for virtually the first time in the evening, was quality ball at the back of the setpiece for the chairman's team which immediately took advantage, creating the space for Bentley to dash away for a touchdown.
In the long history of this game, the Exiles have never recorded a victory over their select opposition and they're unlikely to come closer than this years match.
The home side were first on the board thanks to a close-range try from Arabian Gulf international lock Pete Stapley, converted by Jimmy Larsen.
And although former Exiles full-back Roger John pulled back five points after a sustained period of pressure, cashing in on an overlap to cross wide on the left, it was the home side that continued to have the upper hand, making their greater understanding count.
Hooker Jonny Blackburn made a good break down the right and his inside pass found lock Olli Jones who had enough strength to make the line for an unconverted try.
The chairman's team, though, had the final word of the first half when Jonathan Nicholls crossed from close range for a try which former British Lion and Scottish international Craig Chalmers converted to tie the game at 12-12.
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponSPORTNETWORK SPECIALS
More Gulf Rugby headlines
Gulf Rugby latest threads
Gulf Rugby Poll
