Dubai: Estelle Uren produced an inspirational captain's performance as Abu Dhabi Harlequins clinched a superb 20-0 victory over UAE Falcons in the Arabian Gulf Ladies final.
The 23-year-old New Zealander claimed all four of her side's tries, touching down twice in each half to put the seal on a fine series of performances.
Over the course of the tournament, the Harlequins won all five of their matches, rattling up a magnificent total of 146 points without conceding a single try.
And the side's commitment to defence extended to the very last seconds of the final, when a desperate last-ditch tackle on the try line by Helen Martin prevented the Falcons claiming a consolation score, despite the destination of the trophy not being in any doubt.
Uren paid tribute to her team-mates as she reflected on a job well done on the main pitch at The Sevens in front of a huge last-day crowd basking in the Dubai sun.
The Gulf select fly-half said: "The girls put me in the right position, it's all down to them. All I had to do was put the ball down across the line.
"I'm speechless, it's an overwhelming feeling. We trained with the men a couple of times and I think it helped us. They're faster than us so we had to work hard to get close," she said.
Club chairman Richard Harris was happy to return back up the Shaikh Zayed Road with a trophy for the clubhouse cabinet after a series of setbacks for Abu Dhabi's other sides at the sevens.
He said: "This is a very fit side. They've worked very hard through the summer and this is the result."
The squad is a multi-national affair, featuring players from Ireland, South Africa, the United States, England and Canada as well as New Zealand.
And after also winning tournaments this season in Doha and Kuwait, the Harlequins are aiming to triumph in their own competition on home soil in January.
