David Strettle: 'Who's getting the beers in then?'David Strettle delivered Martin Johnson a firm message after being overlooked for England’s 32-man Elite squad by powering Harlequins to Middlesex Sevens glory.
A star-studded Harlequins won their first title for 18 years with England duo Strettle and Mike Brown both catching the eye, proving the short journey across the A316 was clearly worth the trouble.
After trouncing Leeds Carnegie in the opening round, the boys from the Stoop swept past the Sale Sharks to set up a semi-final tie with holders Newcastle.
Strettle’s double ensured a new name would be on the trophy as the Falcons fell at the penultimate hurdle.
On the other side of the draw, the British Army, packed with a plethora of South Sea Islanders, breezed past the Leicester Tigers in the last-eight after getting off to a sluggish start against eventual Plate winners, Saracens.
Electric Fijian talent Apolesi Satala bagged a brace against a bedazzled Tigers outfit in the last eight before four scores saw off a youthful Gloucester side in the semi-finals.
So the stage was set for a showcase of final flair and the colourful Twickenham crowd would not be disappointed.
Despite a narrow two point deficit at the break, Harlequins conserved enough energy with England full-back Brown touching down for his second try of the match and the day’s MVP, Strettle seizing victory for a 14th time and their first Russell Cargill Cup since 1990.
Results
Dragons 19 London Irish 28
Newcastle Falcons 21 Northampton Saints 12
Harlequins 27 Leeds Carnegie 0
Sale Sharks 26 Ospreys 5
Gloucester 24 Bath 5 Worcester Warriors 21 Bristol 12
Leicester Tigers 19 Wasps 14
Saracens 12 British Army 22
Plate Quarter-Finals:
Dragons 14 Northampton Saints 29
Leeds Carnegie 33 Ospreys 7
Bath 10 Bristol 21
Wasps 10 Saracens 34
Cup Quarter-Finals:
London Irish 7 Newcastle Falcons 40
Harlequins 21 Sale Sharks 12
Gloucester 31 Worcester Warriors 14
Leicester Tigers 7 British Army 31
Plate Semi-Finals:
Northampton Saints 25 Leeds Carnegie 17
Bristol 12 Saracens 31
Cup Semi-Finals:
Newcastle Falcons 14 Harlequins 29
Gloucester 10 British Army 24
Plate Final Northampton Saints 7 Saracens 26
Grand Final Harlequins 22 British Army 12