Two local rugby players, Bethan Davies and Heather Rees, have just returned from Dubai having been selected to play for the Olorun Ponty Butchers Ladies seven a side squad. The ladies spent a week in the city and played for three days against teams from across the globe.

Bethan, 23, from Bryngwyn near Newcastle Emlyn, who plays for Caernarfon RFC, and Heather Rees, 22, who plays for Whitland RFC, were selected to play alongside Fishguard’s Natalie Walsh and Brittony Price from Pontardawe. Both Bethan and Heather play for the Blues and their supportive coaches put their names forward.

“When I heard I’d been selected, I was so excited as it was my first season in the sevens. Our first game was midday and our coaches Stuart Clarke and Mike Connor ensured they kept us hydrated in a heat of around 30 to 32 degrees,” said Bethan, whose father Howard joined her on the journey.

The ladies first competed in the group stage and won every game with a score of 38-0 against Scottys Tigers, and a 49-12 win against the Swiss Barbarians. Following this, they played against Cairo Ladies with a 50-0 win.

In the quarter finals they won 29-0 against the Haka. The semi finals saw the talented Ponty Butchers again winning with a score of 40-7 but being beaten in the final 17-19 against Krasnodar from Russia.

Heather thoroughly enjoyed her time in Dubai. She said: “I'm so grateful for the fantastic opportunity to play in this amazing tournament. An experience I'll never forget.”'

And Bethan concluded: “It was really cool to play there and an amazing experience. We never thought we’d reach the final. Everyone worked so hard together and we had a good mixture of speed and strength.”