match program - bahrain...

Bahrain vs Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Match Program

Friday 29th September Kick off: 6pm

REDWALL

A message from our Chairman

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Bahrain Rugby Football Club for the first home game of the new season. After the excitement of last year’s WA Premiership Final and our recent appearances in the WA Champions League, we look forward to another highly entertaining season ahead. Louie and his squad have been training hard through the pre-season and we anticipate a strong challenge for silverware this year.

Welcome to today’s opponents, Abu Dhabi Harlequins and congratulations on their recent success in the WA Champions League. As holders of all the major trophies from last year, we hope they will not be too disappointed if Bahrain have relieved them of one or two by the end of the season.

We are fortunate to have a loyal following and the continued support of our key sponsors once again this year. Also a warm welcome to those for whom this will be their first year of association with our club. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors and supporters for their commitment to Bahrain Rugby Football Club. I hope you enjoy the game.

Yallah Bahrain

Mike Cunningham

A message from our Director of Rugby

Welcome back to Bahrain RFC for a brand new season and a brand new West Asia Premiership Campaign. What an amazing few weeks we’ve had and what a few months the players have had training in this heat - but now a lot of the hard work has been done and its all about putting it out there in our performance tonight.

Tonight we welcome reigning champions and fierce rivals Abu Dhabi Harlequins to BRFC in an excit-ing rematch from our West Asia Cup Final last season. The “Quins” are undoubtedly the team to beat in our region and although they are an extremely humble team they have every right to come to us this evening with lots of confidence. Quins and Exiles are the only 2 teams I haven’t won against in my time in Bahrain and my record against Quins currently sits at 0-4 which doesn’t make for kind reading. Although we do have a confidence about us this evening also - and rightly so after showing glimpses of brilliance in our games against the Quins (Sept 8th) and Kandy last weekend.

Many of the players have played in 3 different countries in as many weeks - with our inclusion in the Western Clubs Champions League this year it has given us fantastic preparation for the upcoming campaign. We showed some real attacking threat against Quins in game 1 but struggled with our set piece/ we then went to Kuwait with a mixed side but really made some improvements in our founda-tions - set piece and kicking - and then last but not least our trip to Kandy was massively rewarding in so many ways and the result was all important. We feel we are match hardened now and thus is the nature of the sport we have picked up niggles but so will all the other teams also. Unfortunately one of our niggles just happens to be our talisman and captain Adam Wallace and he will not be involved in this evenings game which is a real shame but he is recovering well.

I’ve never been more proud of a group than I was last week when our players represented the club so brilliantly in Sri Lanka - giving back to the children of Sri Lanka was an amazing experience for our players and they carried themselves brilliantly - I couldn’t be prouder. I hope now this evening they do themselves justice and get what they deserve and what they are most certainly capable of - which is that all important win and the league start.

Yours in RugbyLouie Tonkin

Louie Tonkin

And so it begins again… Welcome back to BRFC for

our season start!

WEST ASIA PREMIERSHIP

PLACE TEAM PLAYED WON LOST DRAW POINTS FOR

POINTS AGAINST DIFF POINTS

1 DUBAI EXILES 1 1 0 0 85 8 +77 5

2 ABU DHABI HARLEQUINS 1 1 0 0 34 33 +1 5

3 DUBAI HURRICANES 1 1 0 0 28 13 +15 4

4 JEBEL ALI DRAGONS 1 0 1 0 33 34 -1 2

5 DUBAI EAGLES 1 0 1 0 8 85 -77 0

6 ABU DHABI SARACENS 1 0 1 0 13 28 -15 0

7 BAHRAIN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NEXT FIXTURES - OCT 13TH @ 5PM - ABU DHABI SARACENS VS BAHRAIN OCT 20TH @ 5PM - DUBAI EXILES VS BAHRAIN

West Asia Premiership League Table

Team selection

1 DAVIS TUI2 LINDSEY GIBSON (C)3 RICH MUNCASTER4 MARK BURNELL5 JONNY KENNY6 RHYS FITZGERALD7 ALASTAIR CROMBIE8 JACK SALE9 ROB BENNETT10 IWAN PHILLIPS11 TERENCE TANTOH12 DAI EVANS13 LUKE RADLEY14 GRAHAM BISHOP15 DEINA MORETE

R OLI SANSONR MATT MCKEER MAX SALER ELLIOT BEHANR SHANE STAPLETONR OLLIE LUKER JOEL LEWIS

STARTERS

IMPACT

1ST XV VS ABU DHABI HARLEQUINS @ BRFC FRI 29TH SEPT 6PM



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IMPACT




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Player Profile

JONNY KENNY

Jon Kenny or “Kenny” as he’s referred to often is a huge character both on and off the pitch. A huge man standing at 6ft

6inches and 18st; he is a real asset to our pack and gives our front 5 a different look this year. A strong and experienced

Lock from England and recently plyed his trade for Bridgend RFC in the Welsh Premiership whilst studying his BSc and

MSc degrees in Cardiff University.

It was during his time at Cardiff University that he played under Bahrain Director of Rugby - Louie Tonkin. Meeting Kenny

it was clear at an early stage that he had all the talent in the world. 2 strong seasons at CURFC under Tonkin playing in

the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) Premiership and 2 strong Welsh Varsity appearances Kenny was

able to land himself a Semi Professional contract with Bridgend RFC and played for them week in week out against

Wales finest 2nd tier players. Whilst at Bridgend RFC - Kenny was asked to represent Ospreys “A” in the Birtish and Irish

Cup competition and played in matches against London Irish, Harlequins and the Cornish Pirates.

Jon was recruited by the club to strengthen our front 5 and he is already doing that along with the welcome return of

Davis Tui. These 2 large forwards bring a physicality and weight to our pack which will make us a formidable outfit for

anyone to face.

Although a talented player - Jon is also a talented entertainer - if you haven’t seen it yet don't be afraid to ask him for his

rendition of the song - Karma Chameleon! It is special!! :)

Date of Birth - 17 September 1994 Nickname - KENNY/

TYSON FURY

Best Player Played with - Maro Itoje for England 18s

Most Memorable Game - Welsh Varsity Match 2016 -

Last game for CURFC.

Honours: England U16 + U18s

Previous Clubs: Macclesfield RFC/ Cardiff

University RFC/ Bridgend RFC.

LUKE RADLEY

The other half of our Goldie Locked half backs is the fan favourite and ladies favourite Luke Radley. “Radders” is our

outside half and has been a huge part of the 1st team for a few years now and has been a huge instigator and driver

behind the 1st team squads culture change this season along with other leadership group members. Driving our

standards off the pitch with his training ethic and professionalism and driving our gameplan on the pitch.

Having an impressive rugby pedigree before arriving Radders arrived to Bahrain as a recruited player in 2012. Coming

through the age groups and English Academy game with current English International Stars at Bedford Academy for 3

years between 2005 and 2008 his skill set and rugby ability stands him with the best 10s in the gulf and UAE. Luke’s

home club is Ampthill RFC along with other 1st team members Rich Muncaster and Rich Wilkinson, he played his junior

rugby there at the national 1 club from U6 to U16s before going Bedford. He then went on to study at Loughborough

University and played Rugby there before returning to his home club to play some senior 1st XV rugby.

Radders joined Bahrain for 2 seasons before moving back to UK to qualify as a teacher - he enjoyed Bahrain so much in

his first stint he came back to an impressive teaching role as Head of Year 9 at British School of Bahrain and his second

stint with Bahrain RFC which everyone was delighted about.

Touted as “the nicest bloke in Bahrain” we are lucky to have a guy of Lukes’ calibre here and he will undoubtedly play a

huge part in hopefully achieving our successes this season. What Luke lacks in size he makes up for in courage and

toughness and is known for chopping the biggest of ball carriers down and regularly is our top tackler statistically much to

the dislike of our back row :) Luke has also notched up an impressive 80 league points this season already in the WAP

and no doubt that number will continue to grow. #carbfreesince93

Date of Birth - 15th February 1989

Nickname - Radders, 100%man, Housewives favourite,

Prince Charming

Best Player Played with - Billy Twelvetrees/ Courtney

Lawes/ Will Chudley - Bedford Blues Academy

Best Player Played Against - Manu Tuilagi - Daily Mail

Cup

Most Memorable Game - Winning National Colts Cup @

Franklins Gardens w/ Bedford or Youth National Cup @

Twickenham w/ Ampthill

Honours -

Bedford Academy

Ampthill 1st XV

Player Profile

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Fixtures West Asia Premiership

Ball Boys and Girls

Age: 9 Years Old

Nickname: Tiny

School: British School of Bahrain

Favourite Sport: Rugby

Favourite Subject: Maths

Favourite tean: Munster

Best Sporting moment: “Winning the Player of the Year award at...Football!!”Most emabrassing Sporting moment: ”My boot fell off during a game and then i tripped back over it!”

HARRY

SLATTERY

Proudly supported by

Match Mascot

From: Wigan, Lancashire

School: AMA International School

Team: under 11’s

Position: Scrum Half/Centre

Time in Bahrain: 3 Years

Profile: Joseph is very sociable, he gets along with his teammates and enjoys keeping fit. He requlary gets involved with events with the 1st team, Golden Oldies and the Juniors.

His words: “I am looking forward to the start of the new season, training with my friends and also watching the 1st team go on to win the league this year!”

JOSEPH

BLAKE

For almost 30 years,Zurich have been helping customers in Bahrainto protect the financial future of their families and businesses with tailored protection, saving and investment solutions.

Contact us:JALAL JAWADACCOUNT [email protected]+973 3990 2838www.zurichinternational.com

YOU TRULY LOVE RUGBY.WE SUPPORT IT.

Zurich International Life Limited is registered in Bahrain under Commercial Registration No.17444 and is Licensed as an Overseas Insurance Firm - Life Insurance by the Central Bank of Bahrain. Zurich International Life Limited provides life assurance, investment and protection products and is authorised by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. Registered in the Isle of Man number 20126C. Registered office: 43-51 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM99 1EF, British Isles. Telephone +44 1624 662266 Telefax +44 1624 662038 www.zurichinternational.com

If you would like to join our proud sponsors, or to enquire how to advertise here, kindly contact:

Carine CagnoliTel: +973 17695809 Ext. 116Email: [email protected]

Thanks to our 2017/2018 Sponsors

www.oakbh.com

REDWALL

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