Organized for the first time; The Qatar Olympic Committee – 2018 Winter Beach Rugby tournament was a spectacular event that witnessed some of top 10 touch rugby teams in the state competing for the championship title.
The tournament was held on the 26th of January at the Sealine QOC Winter Camp hosted by the Qatar Olympic Committee and Qatar Touch.
Qatar as a flamboyant sporting nation has yet again demonstrated their commitment towards rugby (and variants, such as Touch Rugby) in rapid speed that indisputably promotes and attracts more and more sportsmen and sportswomen getting involved with the game, be it the “contact” version, “touch” or “beach” rugby.
A well-organized national tournament such as this creates high standards and has raised the bar on competitive levels of the teams. Players and spectators, expresses their gratitude to the Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Touch, and finally the; Tournament Sponsors for the fabulous event throughout the day that couldn’t have ended in any other better way than a stunning Grand Finale that went down to the wire.
For the men’s division; the ‘HURRICANES’ and the ‘STORMERS’ represented Hurricane Storm Touch Rugby Club- Doha (HSTRC). HSTRC is predominantly composed of expat Sri Lankan players, and include players from other nationalities such as Australia, Kenya, Cameroon and Philippines.
The other teams that competed in the tournament were the; Stallions, QRF Tigers, Camels, Sherborne, La French, Phoenix, Doha Club and the Greens.
All games throughout the tournament were very competitive starting from game one, when the Stormers surprised the experienced Doha Club holding on to a 1 all draw in their curtain raisers. The Sherborne team that consisted of young lads demonstrated phenomenal courage and a fighting spirit competing against the other teams.
After the completion of the group stage, for Group ‘A’, the Hurricanes and the Camels took the top two spots, whilst the Stallions and Doha Club topped their respective group (B). The Stormers were a hairline close to grabbing a top two spots in Group ‘B’, but unfortunately missed out. They had to beat the Greens by a minimum of 3 tries in their final group encounter which was the decider for the Stormers but they could only beat the Greens by 2 tries to 0, one try short of securing their place for the 2nd semifinals.
That been said; the Stormers had a good tournament throughout, losing only to the QRF Tigers at the group stage games.
Unbeaten Teams, the well deserving finalists; Hurricanes and Doha Club, battled it out for the inaugural Qatar Olympic Committee- Winter Beach Rugby Championship 2018 – Cup Finals.
The Grand Finale was one of the best Beach Rugby games Doha has witnessed as a spectator quoted,
“Hands down, the final played between the Hurricanes & Doha Club should be the best ever beach rugby game played on Doha soil,” only time can tell if this statement stands.
After an intense battle, the final score was nil-all. Then commenced the elimination stage. Down to 4 men, but the score remained the same, nil-all. When the game was down to 3 on 3, Doha club managed to make a long pass and cross the try line with a diving effort at the other corner of the pitch. The Hurricane speed machine Danushka attempted a magnificent chase to tap the Doha Club player at the far end, but was a fraction short despite the ambitious dive.
The Camels secured the 3rd place with their win against the Stallions. Nevertheless; it was a splendid performance by the Hurricanes, as they clinched the Cup Runner up trophy of the QOC Winter Beach Rugby Tournament, starting the 2018 season with a positive blast.
The Hurricanes and Stormers will be eager to recap and learn from the opportunities missed, especially in the grand finale.
The President, players and members of the Hurricane Storm Touch Rugby Club, thanks all the friends & fans who turned up at the Sealine Winter Camp to support club players; last but not least the well-wishers who were unable to make it for the event.
MAURIA TE PONO
“Believe in Yourself”
Team Hurricanes
- Sashi (Captain)
- Alfaz
- Amila
- Andrew
- Athila
- Danushka
- Eranda
- Viraj
Team Storms
- Manahara (Captain)
- Frits
- Kovinda
- Kishore
- Raushan
- Sachintha
- Thawheed
- Udaya
Photography for HSTRC -Shajee
Videography for HSTRC – Asber
