Dubai Hurricanes complete title double with West Asia Premiership triumph over Bahrain.

Dubai Hurricanes capped off a landmark season by defeating Bahrain RFC to win the 2024/25 West Asia Premiership final at The Sevens Stadium on Saturday night.

A week on from edging the Dubai Exiles in the UAE Premiership final, the Hurricanes returned to the same venue to outlast a physical Bahrain side 24-21 and secure a historic domestic double.

“These guys now have the opportunity to create a dynasty”

Tries from Martin Mangwiro and Deanne Makoni, plus a kicking clinic from Andre Gerber, powered the Hurricanes to their second major trophy in eight days. The match turned late when Bahrain, who had led early on through a try by outside centre – Jack Phillips and penalties from Josh Drain, lost flanker Aled Morris to a red card following a dangerous tackle.

The sending off, which reduced Bahrain to 14 men for over 50 minutes, handed the advantage and belief to the Hurricanes, who exploited the man advantage and a strong pack holding firm against Bahrain’s renowned forward pressure.

Match favourites, Bahrain completed another solid West Asia campaign, which saw the ‘Red Wall’ top the table all season. Bahrain had entered the match looking for redemption after their loss to the Dubai Tigers in the same final last season.

For the Hurricanes, the win confirms the rugby club as a powerhouse in Gulf Rugby after finishing runners-up last year in the UAE Premiership final against the Dubai Dragons. The club has been rebuilding their squad depth and now they finish their Silver Jubilee season with silverware from both major competitions.

Graham Brown, the Club Captain said;

“A second massive win a week is testament to the hard work these guys put in, and the best coaching team around. To achieve this only 2 years after rejoining the premiership is amazing. These guys now have the opportunity to create a dynasty.”

Their 25th anniversary season ends with tangible reward — and momentum heading into next year.

Referee: James Fairbourn
Assistant Referees: Matt Riley, Niell Horn

Bahrain Team

1. Matt Mckee
2. Mackenzie Oliver
3. Henry Paul
4. Henk Gouws
5. Awethu Lushozi
6. Aled Morris
7. Alastair Crombie
8. Lindsey Gibson
9. Romeo Eksteen
10. Cormac Fox
11. Dai Evans
12. James Newey
13. Jack Phillips
14. Josh Petro
15. Josh Drain
16. Tian Jacobs
17. Nick Young
18. Dan Mau’u
19. Charlie Farmer
20. Adam Wallace
21. Greg Heath
22. Joel Kidgell
23. Deina Morete

Dubai Hurricanes Team

1. Deanne Makoni
2. Tiaan Drotskie
3. Riaan Barnard
4. Bradley Engelbrecht
5. Marcus Guerin
6. Martin Mangwiro
7. Ethan Matthews
8. Ruan Steenkamp
9. Andre Gerber
10. Matt Gilham
11. Toby Oakely
12. James Coulton
13. Eremia Tapsell
14. Dom Williams
15. Aaron Dubois
16. Conner Glynn
17. Francois Bruwer
18. Sidhant Mehra
19. Fin Anderson
20. Lucien Jansen
21. Brad Owako
22. Tom Stapley
23. Jerome Harimate