DUBAI // Fresh from victory over one lot of title-challengers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins have sent a warning to the rest of their Arabian Gulf Prosperity Premiership rivals by saying their best is yet to come.
Ali Thompson's side took a 14-7 success away from their trip up the coast against Dubai Dragons last weekend.
Though they were more convincing winners than the score line suggested, they were profligate in attack and let a variety of chances go begging.
"The exciting thing is we are still a long way off full potential - that is not coach-speak or chairman-speak, it is fact," said their chairman, Richard Harris.
"The players were disappointed with how they rushed scoring opportunities against the Dragons, and are looking for more composure when they get in those positions."
Quins can overtake Bahrain at the summit of the Premiership with a victory over Muscat at Al Ghazal tomorrow, but they will have to do it without their influential fly-half Murray Strang.
The Scottish No 10 went off at half-time against the Dragons with a strained hamstring. Tony Matthews, Quins' regular fullback, will assume the stand-off berth against the side from Oman.
Bahrain hold a surprise two-point lead over the holders, Abu Dhabi, at present, but are without a game this weekend.
They signalled their credentials last weekend when they beat the Dubai Hurricanes, the off-form former champions.
The Hurricanes had grown used to life at the top in recent years, but have had a rude awakening this term after six straight defeats.
They will get the perfect opportunity to correct their course when they host the only side below them in the table, Kuwait Nomads, at The Sevens on Friday.
The Dragons will be out to prove they are still worthy title challengers, following their home defeat to Abu Dhabi, when they meet Doha.
pradley@thenational.ae
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
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Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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Dust storm
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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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