As Abu Dhabi Saracens celebrated a first ever trophy, Liam Frost was making his final appearance in a Doha shirt.
Sarries’ win last Friday in Doha put them in dreamland, but there was to be no fairytale ending for a man whose family have lived in the Middle East for most of his 31 years.
– #Quiz360: WIN a group paintball session at Zayed Sports City
– AD Sarries show their bottle to upset Doha and clinch first silverware
Frost is staying in Qatar, but has decided to call it a day to spend time with his young family.
Head coach Aaron Palmer described Frost as “he is Doha” in the lead-up to the game.
The outside centre admitted it would have been special to end his days in maroon and white by winning the West Asia Cup, but said the main objective of the season, winning the Gulf Top Six, had been achieved.
“I’m gutted, it was my last game, I’m hanging up my boots,” said Frost after the final whistle on Friday.
Great work @ADSaracens winning the West Asia Cup Final today. #OneClub
— Jacques Burger (@Nabasboer) March 20, 2015
“The last five years these boys have been an experience and this is the best side I’ve played in. They deserved everything but we couldn’t quite make it in the end for the West Asia Cup.
“Sarries are a great bunch of lads and credit to them, they’re a great side.
“They’re only four years old as a club, they’ve done well.
“We were looking for the perfect send-off but we’ve all been in games we’ve lost. It’s just another game but it’s that special one you want to win.”
The former England schoolboy international believes he is leaving the club in good hands and will look forward to watching the team from the sidelines from now on.
Firstly, thank you and well done to @SaracensUAE for a great game of rugby – you’ve come a long way in a very short time @SaracensWorld
— doharugby (@doharugby) March 21, 2015
“I’m staying in Qatar and I’m leaving this club in good hands,” said the Salford-born player.
“There’s a good group of lads in the first and second team and of course a new group of lads come in every year. Doha has been a strong side and it’s tough travelling every other week.
“The key at the start of the season was the Gulf Top Six. We knew if we won that we’d get a crack at the West Asia (title) but ultimately our season was defined by that (GT6). We won it for the first ever time.
“I’ll look forward to watching from the sidelines next season.”
