BULLDOGS International Rugby and their Cumbrian contingent fell narrowly short of glory in the Dubai International Veterans 10s, but still came away from the tournament with their heads held high.

The team made up of over-35s rugby league players, including former Barrow Raiders trio Gary Broadbent, Jamie Marshall and Carl Sice, plus Askam amateur Tom Butler, took on their union-playing counterparts and made it all the way through to the Plate final.

Ultimately, they were denied the prize after going down 19-10 to the Stefan's British Heart Foundation team in the tournament which is held each year as one of the support events to the Dubai Rugby Sevens.

But there were plenty of highlights for the players, with winger Marshall finishing as the Bulldogs' top try-scorer after running in six and there was much for the squad to savour both on and off the field.

“I had heard people say it was good and I was expecting it to be good, but it was a lot better than I expected,” said full-back Broadbent. “The venue, the pitches we played on, the facilities – everything about it was a fantastic experience.

“They were probably just a little bit too good for us on the day, to be fair, but as a spectacle it's the best sporting event I've ever been to.

“It was absolutely unbelievable – everything from the main sevens, the women's sevens, there was the vets competition we were in, a junior competition and netball. They catered for everything.”

The Bulldogs opened with a 19-0 triumph over Jinns Legends in Pool E, followed by a 12-0 loss to Mo Bro Veterans and then a 35-0 victory over Frogs Revival, which put the team through to the Plate quarter-finals.

A 14-0 win over Ronin Vets saw them through to face French side SBA Pirates in the semis, where they came out on top 17-12 before being beaten in the final.

The performance of the side was even more impressive given their relative lack of experience playing rugby union and even though Broadbent conceded they struggled to adapt to some of the nuances, they were able to counter teams with their attacking plays.

“It was tough, I'll be honest,” said Broadbent. “You look back and there are things you'd do differently; you could probably play fewer forwards and more backs in your team, because it was 10-a-side.

“In the semi-final, I don't think we won a scrum or a line-out, but we still managed to win so we were doing something right. We found when we played the better union teams, we wanted to throw it about and try to keep it alive, and they were happy to go to rucks, mauls and line-outs.

“We did struggle with that, as you'd expect, but when we moved the ball about we did all right and scored some decent tries.

“I don't think we're the only ones who struggled and anyone who has played league would say they struggled to adapt, but I don't think it cost us in the end. To get to a final and experience it, all of the lads enjoyed it and it was a great experience.”

But while he enjoyed pulling his boots back on for three days in Dubai, Broadbent is content to stay with cycling and triathlons as his sports of choice these days. However, he has not ruled out featuring for the Bulldogs again at some point in the future.

“I think that's all it will be,” said Broadbent. “I don't want to be playing week in, week out, I can guarantee you that!

“Even if I only do it this once, the experience was really, really excellent and I can say I've done it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

“If the opportunity comes up again in the future, I'd never rule it out depending on fitness and things like that, so who knows?”