It was a very different Jeddah that took the field from the scratch team that suffered a heavy defeat against Riyadh Falcons two weeks ago.

It was a game of three halves — something of a tradition in Jeddah and reflection of the local temperatures. Fielding a younger and rather untested team, Jeddah opened the scoring with a swift try from a wide run along their left wing that left Mistral still taking their bearings. The Mistral matelots regrouped rapidly and took the game to Jeddah with all the energy one would expect. From early in the first third, it became apparent that the game was to be a competition between the high level of fitness from the French and the weight of experience of having played together for Jeddah.

Play ebbed and flowed between ends, each side penetrating deeply into the other’s territory before inspired or fortunate defending scuppered an attack. Coordinated linkups and some well rehearsed phases of play from Jeddah saw the ball move with precision and speed through the backs, Jeddah preferring wide play to stretch the French line

However, Mistral was up to the task and soon countered Jeddah’s style with a delightful exhibition of ball handling skills including reverse passes and rapid changes of direction that took all Jeddah’s speed and very seriously applied tackling to counter. The first half ended with Jeddah in the lead, 17-5

Session two went to Mistral. After a team talk and an assessment of Jeddah’s unexpected determination to win this match, the French came out gunning. Greater focus on set scrums and some extremely vigorous rucking gave them the balance of possession in the second half and the rewards came as a consequence. Mistral clawed themselves back into the game as Jeddah resorted to lofting the ball and kicking for touch to slow the onslaught.

The third ‘half’ saw Jeddah with a renewed vigor and a gritty determination to settle the match. Mohammed Hasawi grabbed the ball almost immediately after the French kick-off and used his tremendous speed and muscle to demonstrate what he could get up to when he engaged overdrive. Ripping through the French defense who were simply unready for him, he powered along the left wing stepping over incoming Mistral defenders and bouncing others into his wake, he completed a 70 yard charge to score in the center.

That charge took the wind power out of Mistral and the third half, despite some very aggressive running by the French was never going to be anything but Jeddah’s.

It was hard, it was physical but keeping the traditions of the game very much to the fore, Jeddah cheered Mistral off the field and they returned the compliment. In one of the best matches Jeddah have played in a long time, they raised their game to meet the very skilful French and deserved the win.

The French however were not to be put off, as the team captains immediately arranged a rematch for Tuesday. It will not be a grudge match in the classic sense, but the reputation of the team from the Mistral is at stake and despite their display of gracious good humor, they want to win. And Jeddah want to prove this was no lucky win.

Bending the tradition of electing a “Man of the Match” Jeddah felt that the whole team had played exceptionally and decided to include all in the title. There were, however, exceptional performances from Andrew Kennedy (scrum), Rob Holmyard (scrum) and Abood Khumayes (fly half).

The rematch will be played at 8 p.m. at the Kaki Sports club before a men only audience and organized by the Saudi Rugby Center. The team will be drawing on its pool of young Saudi players who are keen to test their mettle against the visiting Mistral.