Dubai Hurricanes are emerging as the new powerhouses of Gulf rugby after inflicting a comprehensive 24-8 defeat on league champions Dubai Dragons.
The victory followed a narrow recent success over Dubai Exiles and means the Hurricanes are in a strong position, even at this early stage of the campaign, to press on in search of their first piece of silverware since being formed six years ago.
Chris Gregory?s side stormed into a 24-3 half-time lead thanks to tries from Aaron Brown, Joshua Sherring and Mark Webster while Chris Doyle was also in form with the boot, rubbing salt into the wound with nine vital points.
The Dragons, without several of their most experienced forwards, were further disrupted when hooker Ed Bevan was stretchered off with a serious leg injury.
But the Hurricanes fully deserved their lead and, despite being under pressure for periods in the second half, held on for a fine win.
Dragons winger Jamie Turner pulled back five points but it came too late to affect the final scoreline.
Hurricanes skipper Chris Gregory said: ?We?ve been building for a day like this for the last three years. I thought we were outstanding.?
The only other unbeaten side in the competition are Kuwait Nomads who just held off Abu Dhabi 26-23 in a titanic struggle.
Weekend results
Arabian Gulf League
Dubai Dragons 8 Dubai Hurricanes 24
Kuwait Nomads 26 Abu Dhabi 23
Sharjah Wanderers 6 Muscat 18
Bahrain 9 Doha 31
Emirates League
Dubai Hurricanes II 0 Dubai Exiles II 45
Dubai Dragons II 43 Al Ain 17