Quins take first prize in Middlesex 7s
Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:10
England Saxons squad member Dave Strettle top scored with six tries in the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham Stadium, as Harlequins defeated the British Army 22-12 in the Final.
It was Quins' first Final since 1991 and they extended their record total of Middlesex Sevens titles to 14.
Strettle, the wing who has six full England caps and bags of Sevens experience, was Quins' captain and he dotted down his side's fourth and clinching try in the Final to end the hopes of the Army, winners of this tournament in 2001 and 2004.
Mike Brown, another member of the current England Saxons squad, set up that try for Strettle and was a calming and creative influence all day as Quins carried off the Russell Cargill trophy for the first time since a run of five successes from 1986 to 1990.
Recent signing Epi Taione, the Tonga international, got Quins going in the Final with a strong run followed by a tapped penalty which put Brown over for the opening try.
England Saxons squad member Nick Easter then flipped a pass off the floor for Taione to score, before Semese Rokoduguni's try put the Army on the scoreboard and they led 12-10 at half time with a converted try by Apolosi Satala, cousin of the former Quins centre, Viliame.
Brown looped round England Saxons back row Tom Guest to notch Quins' third try before skipper Strettle rounded off a popular victory.
Strettle had made a lovely outside break to put Quins 12-0 up in their semifinal against holders Newcastle Falcons, and scored again after half time as the defending champions fell, 29-14.
Quins' other semifinal tries came from Taione, Chris Robshaw and Mike Worrincy.
In the second semifinal, the Army – who with a strong Fijian presence in their squad had been the bookmakers' joint-favourites with Quins at the start of the day – defeated Gloucester 24-10. Experienced Army centre Apolosi Satala scored two of his side's four tries, with another coming from captain Mark Lee.
A try in 13 seconds by England Sevens star Ollie Phillips had set Newcastle on the way to the semifinals.
Phillips executed a neat chip and chase to put London Irish on the back foot immediately in the first of the quarterfinals, and Newcastle went on to a comfortable 40-7 victory.
Harlequins made it to the last four by overcoming Sale Sharks 21-12 in the quarters, with Strettle among the try scorers.
The third quarterfinal was the M5 derby between Gloucester and Worcester. A try by England Under-20 wing Miles Benjamin gave Worcester – last year's Finalists – hope when they drew level at 7-7 but an interception try from his own 22 by Jack Adams gave Gloucester a lead they did not relinquish in a 31-14 win.
The Army had little trouble seeing off Leicester 31-7, despite England squad back row forward Tom Croft's try for the Tigers.
The day had begun with Quins making it comfortably through the first round of matches: Strettle (2), Brown and Guest (2) provided the tries as Harlequins defeated Leeds Carnegie 27-0.
The Army put Saracens out 22-12, while London Irish, reigning champions Newcastle Falcons, Worcester Warriors and Gloucester were also first round winners.
The closest call came when Leicester Tigers and London Wasps were locked 14-14 at the end of normal time. England hooker George Chuter settled it in Leicester's favour with a try in the corner in sudden death extra time.
Saracens won the Plate competition for first round losers with South African back Brent Russell scoring the concluding try in their 26-7 Final win over Northampton Saints.
Middlesex Sevens results:
Final:
Harlequins 22 British Army 12
Semifinals:
Newcastle Falcons 14 Harlequins 29
Gloucester Rugby 10 British Army 24
Quarterfinals:
London
Irish 7 Newcastle Falcons 40
Harlequins 21 Sale Sharks 12
Gloucester Rugby 31 Worcester Warriors 14
Leicester Tigers 7 British Army 31
Plate Final:
Northampton Saints 7 Saracens 26
Plate semifinals:
Northampton Saints 25 Leeds Carnegie 17
Bristol Rugby 12 Saracens 31
Plate quarterfinals:
Newport Gwent Dragons 14 Northampton Saints 29
Leeds Carnegie 33 Ospreys 7
Bath Rugby 10 Bristol Rugby 21
London Wasps 10 Saracens 34
First round:
Newport Gwent Dragons 19 London Irish 28
Newcastle Falcons 21 Northampton Saints 12
Harlequins 27 Leeds Carnegie 0
Sale Sharks 26 Ospreys 5
Gloucester Rugby 24 Bath Rugby 5
Worcester Warriors 21 Bristol Rugby 12
Leicester Tigers 19 London Wasps 14
Saracens 12 British Army 22
With thanks to RFU
