Clark and Strang share best player award

Abu Dhabi Harlequins hold their annual prize giving ball at the Intercontinental Hotel in the capital where Jamie Clark and Murray Strang share the top award.

ABU DHABI // Abu Dhabi Harlequins, deposed as Arabian Gulf rugby champions this season by Bahrain but consoled by winning the Gulf Cup at Bahrain's expense, held their annual prize giving ball last night at the Intercontinental Hotel in the capital where Jamie Clark and Murray Strang shared the top award. Alistair Thompson, who gave up his duties as first team coach at the end of the season but will continue to represent the Al Ghazal-based club as a player, said the club's management could not separate Clark, the back-row forward, and Murray, the fly-half.

"They have both been tremendous for us in their second season at the club so it is fitting that they should share the player of the year honour," said Thompson, who went on to congratulate Thomas Fisher on being elected the Players' Player of the Year. David Boyd took the honours in the second XV voting, with Julian Stones named as Most Improved Player of the Year. In the women's section, Estelle Uren was named Player of the Year, Tiffany Allard took the most improved player award and Helen Martin was voted as the players' player.