DUBAI � The Arabian Gulf Women Sevens Rugby team carried all before them before going down in the final to a team from Kazakhstan in the final of the Bangkok International Sevens tournament.

It was by the best performance by the Gulf Women’s Rugby Team at a major international competition, having previous been Plate runners-up at the Asian Women’s Rugby Sevens Tournament in May.

“It was a very good performance on and off the park,” said team manager Martin Hollis.

“We lost to a team comprising players from Kazakshtan and Uzbekistan,” he added.

The Gulf team ran riot in the pool matches accumulating 181 points to nil defeating Yala Army 34-0, Burapha 49-0 and Air Force Combined 52-0.

“There is still lot of work to be done but on the first day it proved that our attacking platform was working. But unfortunately we didn’t do the same on the second day,” said coach Bruce King.

“Overall I’m very happy with the performance. It was a good team performance, there were no individual stars. The opposition was not as strong as what we would expect in South Africa or Dubai Sevens but the girls are learning the attacking platform required for bigger challenges ahead,” said King.

“We exceeded expectations. The final was super close. It could have gone either way. But we are still proud of our achievement,” said skipper Bridie Johnson as the side shift focus to the training camp and tournament to be held in South Africa in a fortnight. “It was a good team effort.”

In the knockout stage, they thrashed IPE Antong 48-0 in the quarter-finals and Bangkok IPE 47-0 in the semifinals. But they fell short in the final 20-14 to Kazakshtan Olimp despite two tries by Sandra Adhenrt from Kuwait which was converted by Jennifer Matheson and Yon Smith. Sandra scored almost in every game.

Former skipper Jenny Thompson was Gulf’s leading try-scorer in the competition with nine, including hat-tricks against Yala Army and Air Force Combined. Jumeirah College student 17-year-old Holly Myers making her Gulf debut also got on the scoresheet four times, including a brace in the semifinals. “Holly played very well. She fitted into the team and it was a good first tournament for her.”

“Basically this tour has given me more experience and made me want to play for the Gulf team,” said Holly who also plays netball and basketball for College.

Estelle Uren and Smith were entrusted with the kicking duties and added the extra points with Estelle also scoring three tries in the tournament.

The Gulf team comprised Sandra Adhenrt (Kuwait Ladies), Estelle Uren, Sorrell Bootham, Jennifer Matheson, Kelly Ann Davey (all Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Bridie Johnson (captain), Candy Fanucci, Holly Myers, Lilly Bell, Jenny Thompson, Yon Smith and Natasha Harradine (all Dubai Hurricanes)

allaam@khaleejtimes.com