Team spirit was one of the crucial factors in the Northern Lights’ triumph at the Secure Trading 24/Sevens national final, according to captain Ruth Nash.

Northern Lights blitzed their way to the grand final where they then overpowered Gloucester-Hartpury in an entertaining contest at The Rec, home to Premiership Rugby side Bath.

And Nash was delighted with the way her side grew into the tournament and saved their best performance until last.

The skipper said: “I think that was probably one of our best-ever performances as a team and certainly our best display at the tournament.

“We’re absolutely ecstatic, it has been four tough games building up to this, we just got better and better and it was just class to see the girls pull together and work together and it just seemed to click, which was the difference.

“I think it was partly desire to be honest, we really wanted it and that makes a huge difference, and also learning to play and work together.

“It’s just a group of friends that play rugby together from all over the country.

“I think a lot of that comes down to the group of girls that come down and play good rugby, that goes a long way.”

The Northern Lights, who bring together players from across the north of England to rugby sevens tournaments, started slowly, losing 26-22 to Gloucester-Hartpury in their opening game in Pool B.

Pool A leaders Wasps, who beat West Park Leeds and Harwich & Dovercourt comfortably, were undone in the semi-finals by Northern Lights thanks to two sensational tries from player of the tournament Rebekah Wilson, and a brace from Kat Hobson.

Gloucester-Hartpury then thrashed West Park 50-0 in the other semi-final to set up an intriguing rematch of the opening game of the tournament.

But Wilson and Hobson were at it again in the final, dotting down three times between them as Rosie Blownt’s superb solo effort added gloss to a fine 22-12 victory over the Cherry and Whites.

Co-founder of the Northern Lights, Carolyn Wilson, added: “It’s a really nice ground, and all the pitches are close together so it’s a great atmosphere – our eight-hour journey was worth it in the end.

“It’s been a great day. Sevens has become a much more popular game and at a higher level too.

“There’s a lot of women with the rugby sevens skills but they don’t know they have those skills until they play, so it gives them the opportunity to do that.”

Secure Trading 24/Sevens, is an exciting grassroots sevens competition run by England Rugby. For more information on the Secure Trading 24/Sevens series and ways to get involved in rugby sevens, go to www.englandrugby.com/sevens/