WOMEN'S RUGBY: SALISBURY'S women's rugby star Emily Cook shrugged off the disappointment of not playing in England's Six Nations triumph, to leave her mark on the World Sevens tournament in Hong Kong.

Emily scored four crucial tries en route to helping England register their best-ever performance in the competition.

Cook (nee Feltham) was an integral part of a young and relatively inexperienced England team that closed as finalists to their old foes and World Cup champions New Zealand.

The Leaden Hall School teacher just missed out on selection to the Six Nations squad after failing to return to full fitness following a catalogue of injuries, so was eager to prove her worth in the Far East event.

England opened the group stage with a 12-20 defeat to New Zealand before beating Fiji 35-0. A crucial 5-0 win over the much-fancied USA, in which Emily scored the only try of the game, ensured they progressed.

Emily added two more tries in their demolition of the Arabian Gulf side, before chipping in with another against Kazakh-stan to help set up the final with New Zealand in front of a capacity crowd at the impressive oval-shaped Hong Kong Stadium.

"It was the most fantastic place I've ever played in. The atmosphere was unbelievable. Twickenham is special, but this just took your breath away."

England, whose squad consisted predominantly of A team and Develop-ment team players, had lost the services of Kim Shayler who broke an ankle in the USA game.

Taking on the sevens specialists Black Ferns was always going to be a tough challenge. Although New Zealand eventually ran out comfortable 29-0 winners, England had a number of early chances.

"If we'd have took them, it might have made a difference," admitted Emily. "But in all fairness they are a really skilled side. Their sevens mentality is brilliant."

Emily says she was happy with her own performances at the event and hopes she has done enough to win back her England place in time for the trip to Canada, when the women's team accompany the men's for the in-augural Churchill Cup contest involving the USA, the hosts and England.

"I'm really enjoying my rugby again. My pace is back and I got involved in some good rucking and mauling in the sevens and also put in some big tackles. All I can do is keep playing like this and hope I get selected again."

Emily's immediate aim is to help her club side Richmond beat Clifton later this month in the semi-final of the Women's Cup.