The Arabian Gulf came off second best against a well organised Singapore outfit in the Asian Championships in Hong Kong, going down to a comprehensive 32pts-6 defeat.
The island nation were first on the board, claiming an opening try in the second minute, and remained in pole position throughout.
The Gulf battled hard but were never able to impose themselves against
Singapore who were well drilled at the set-piece and attacked with pace and flair.
Singapore added a penalty to their converted try to pull 10 points clear after just seven minutes before fly-half Jimmy Larsen, of the Dubai Exiles, put the Gulf on the board with a 30-metre penalty.
The two sides then traded kicks before Singapore surged clear with a further penalty and try to make the half-time score 21-6.
A breakaway score for Singapore early in the second half virtually settled the match. And although the Gulf came back and managed to exert a decent amount of pressure, unforced errors and an inability to win solid first-phase possession continued to cost Gareth Allum's side dearly. Doha flanker Tim Nunan and debutant Jason Brown, of the Dubai Hurricanes, had storming games in the back row for the Gulf.
But it was Singapore who finished the stronger of the sides and two more penalties in the closing moments merely served to rub salt into already sore wounds.
The Gulf's preparations for this tournament were less than ideal. The squad was unable to complete even one training session together because of their dispersal around the Middle East while Bahrain's Eddie Perreira arrived an hour before kick off and Johnny Ombler (Abu Dhabi) flew in too late to take part because of transport difficulties.
Gulf international and former Abu Dhabi centre Steve Hutchinson - now working in China - was on hand to act as a last-minute replacement, and won another cap when he came off the bench for the closing moments. But head of rugby Darryl Weir will be looking for clear improvements when the Gulf take on Kazakhstan on Sunday in what is sure to be a lively encounter.
The Kazakhs have yet to forget the act of grand larceny they suffered with a
14-13 international defeat in Doha earlier this year, and revenge is sure to be a driving motivation when an eagerly awaited rematch takes place.
Asian Championship results
Sri Lanka 75 Pakistan 3;
China 50 India 15,
Thailand 37 Kazakhstan 36,
Singapore 32 Arabian Gulf 6,
Korea 63 Chinese Taipei 7,
Japan 40 Hong Kong 12.