ENGLAND Sporting Chance Women were crowned champions of the Dubai Rugby Exiles 7s after a thrilling 12-10 victory against the Wooden Spoon team.

The England side, which featureed Worcester ace Jo Hubbleday, swept aside Canada 12-5 in the semi-final. Tries from Richmond’s Alice Richardson and Saracens’ Charlotte Barras sealed the win.

In the final, a converted try from Richardson handed England a 7-5 lead at half-time, but a second try for Scotland’s Lissy Millard put the Wooden Spoon team in the lead with just four minutes left on the clock.

England held their nerve though and showed tremendous mental strength to sustain a barrage of attacks which finally saw Blaydon’s Danielle Waterman score in the final play at the game.

Richardson didn’t convert, but England sealed a magnificent 12-0 victory to lift the Dubai crown.