 Wales Sevens claim silverware in Dubai after winning the Bowl final
Wales Sevens coach Paul John praised his young team after they opened their season with victory in the Bowl competition at the Dubai event. "They've played some cracking stuff and have got their just desserts," he said. "It's a young squad but they've played some cracking stuff and I'm thoroughly pleased for them." World Cup holders Wales now travel to the George Sevens in South Africa (11-12 December), where they face New Zealand, Samoa and the United States. That is another challenging draw for John's men, New Zealand having beat Samoa 24-12 in the final of the main Dubai event.  | 606: DEBATE |
Wales lost 28-14 to world champions South Africa and 14-7 to Australia on a tough opening day in Dubai. Cardiff student Alex Cuthbert was Wales' stand-out performer on Friday, and his side went on to record a 50-0 win over hosts the Arabian Gulf. John's side beat Scotland 19-12 in Saturday's Bowl quarter-final, then overwhelmed the US 33-12 in the semi. A comprehensive 38-7 victory over Zimbabwe in the final secured the Bowl. "I'm very proud of the boys," said John. "The first three minutes against South Africa I thought we were a little bit in awe of them but after that the boys have done tremendously well. "They really pushed South Africa hard for the last seven minutes of that game and then Australia seem to be our bogey team at the moment, but all weekend the attitude has been brilliant." Wales were the unlikely Rugby World Cup Sevens winners at the same Dubai stadium earlier this year, but Newport's Craig Hill was the only survivor from that squad.
Wales Sevens squad: Chris Davies (Aberavon, capt), Lee Rees (Scarlets Academy), Chris Morgan (Aberavon), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Nicky Thomas (Swansea), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Craig Hill (Newport), Alex Cuthbert (UWIC), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Jevon Groves (Cross Keys)
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