London Pride Middlesex Sevens

The British Army marched to their second London Pride Middlesex Sevens title at a hot and steamy Twickenham this afternoon crushing Gloucester in a thrilling final 43-24 in front of a 28,000 strong crowd.

They even had a bye in the opening round when Rotherham pulled out at very short notice. But, a good 36-19 win over Leicester Tigers in the quarter-finals and a 21-12 defeat of London Irish in the semi-finals put them in good heart for the final.

The match also marked the end of Army stalwart Andy Dawling's Sevens career as he announced it would be his last Sevens competition.

He said: "I decided earlier that I would retire after this one, so to actually win it was fantastic. We've had an indifferent Sevens season this year so to come away with it today was fantastic. I think Gloucester massively missed Simon Amor (injured ankle) and his experience, but we were just hungry for it and we had lots of motivation."

The Cherry & Whites, with James Bailey outstanding, started confidently enough going in front through an Alex Page try that began back in their own 22.

Henry Paul converted but the Army replied immediately when Apolosi Satala ran through the Gloucester defence for their opening touchdown.

Bailey quickly extended Gloucester's lead with a neat individual effort only for tries from Ratu Naulivou and, bang on half-time, from Isoa Damu Damu, both converted by Howard Graham, edged the Army in front 19-14 going into the second-half.

Although the west country side added another try immediately after the break, through James Simpson-Daniel to draw level 19-19, the heat began to take its toll on them and the Army were able to close the game out.

Epeli Qelikibua raced away from a flagging Bailey for the Army's fourth try and a second, a great diving effort from Damu Damu, stretched the lead to 31-19.

Marcel Garvey did give Gloucester some hope with a try two minutes from time but a poor inside pass from Page gifted Qelikibua for his second and, from the restart, Satala finished what he had started with the Army's seventh touchdown.

BRITISH ARMY: Satala, Dawling, Graham (c), Quelikibua, Naulivou, Damu Damu, Roko, Ledua, Naisavamaki, Caqusau.

GLOUCESTER: Morgan, Forester, Paul, Simpson-Daniel, Bailey, Page, Narraway, Garvey.

The Plate competition was won by Newcastle Falcons who overcame a lively Loughborough University team, 33-15.

The colleges led 15-14 early in the second-half but tries from Matthew Tait, Michael Stephenson and Jamie Noon proved too much for the students. Earlier Falcons had beaten Sale Sharks 45-7 while Loughborough had disposed of Bath.

LONDON PRIDE MIDDLESEX SEVENS - Scores

1ST ROUND
British Army bye;
Bath 19 Leicester Tigers 24;
London Irish 17 NEC Harlequins 0;
Northampton Saints 39 London Welsh 0;
Worcester Warriors 31 Loughborough University 12
London Wasps 24 Leeds Tykes 10;
Gloucester 24 Newcastle Falcons 14;
Saracens 24 Sale Sharks 14;

¼ FINALS
British Army 36 Leicester Tigers 19;
London Irish 19 Northampton Saints 12;
Worcester Warriors 12 London Wasps 5;
Gloucester 26 Saracens 0.

SEMI-FINALS
British Army 21 London Irish 12;
Worcester Warriors 5 Gloucester 24.

FINAL
British Army 43 Gloucester 24.