Core Real Estate overcame strong resistance from last year’s champions Emirates to win a tense, finely-balanced men’s final 3-2 to be crowned winners of the Zurich Corporate Touch 6s Tournament.
The victors, led by David Abood, proved too much for the competition, winning all but one of their matches to clinch the 2019 title on Friday, March 15.
Abood, 35, a partner at Core Real Estate, said: “The quality at this year’s tournament has definitely gone up a notch, we had some really tough matches and were certainly put through our paces, but we came out strong in the end.
“It’s a fantastic tournament, with a real mix of players, which keeps it fun and helps encourage great sportsmanship throughout the day. We will definitely be back next year to defend our title.”
In the mixed teams category at Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, the Dhahran Scorpions had a sting in their tail in the final as they fought their way to a 3-1 victory over JLT in a grueling game, which saw them lift the mixed team winners’ cup for the third consecutive year.
Dhahran Scorpions won the mixed teams category.
Team Captain Andy Bowes, 50, said: “Luck was definitely on our side in two of our matches, which were very close, but we managed to pull it off when it mattered most.
“Our team is a real mix of ages and ability and that’s what we love about this competition and touch in general, anyone and everyone can play.
“We want to say a huge thank you to all the referees who worked like trojans throughout the day in some very unusual wet and windy conditions.”
Other winners on the day included: mixed bowl – AES (5-2 win in the final against Aetna); mixed plate champions – Lamprell (4-2 win v Nord Anglia School); most spirited team – Aetna; female player of the tournament – Helen Soens (Aetna) and male player of the tournament – Vivek Patel (Emirates).
Other businesses who entered a team on the day included: Barclays, DeVere, Kibsons, Alec, GlobalEye, Savills, Deloitte, Kings’ School, HSBC, Investors’ Trust, CMS, Bird & Bird, Clyde & Co and Zurich.
Jane Sabugueiro, partner at Corporate Affair Event Management and event organisers, added: “The event continues to grow year-on-year and we have to say a huge thank you to all 28 teams who took part this year.
Mixed plate champions Lamprell.
“They throw themselves into months of training beforehand and come along with loads of enthusiasm on the day, keen to have fun, but also to prove themselves on the pitch.
“It’s great to see so many familiar faces coming back each year, many of whom bring along their family and friends and so it’s turning into a great fun, community event as well.
“We also want to say a huge thanks to our title sponsor, Zurich, who has supported the tournament since the start eight years ago. Their support has been absolutely key in helping the event become one of the region’s most popular touch tournaments and a key date in the sporting calendar.
“The love for the sport here shows no sign of abating, and so we hope even more businesses will step up and take part next year.”
