Saracens and Harlequins Headed for Sevens Final
The Saracens finished first and the Harlequins finished second in pool A of this year’s English Sevens experiment. The two squads are now off to the finals that are to take place on August 7.
Pool A
Pool A was the first to go this weekend as the London Irish, London Wasps, Middlesex Harlequins and Watford Saracens all took part in the tournament at Twickenham Stoop. Each team brought a collection of youngsters and veterans, all of whom are battling for rosters spots.
The Saracens came away from the tournament with three victories while the Harlequins finished with two wins and a loss to finish second. The London Wasps came third with a win and two losses and the London Irish had three losses to finish in last position.
Harlequins 15 Wasps 5
The Harlequins opened the tournament with a victory over the Wasps. The match went along at a ferocious pace and by the second half both sides looked like they had been through the ringer. The Quins opened the scoring with a try from Neil McMillan, and quickly added to their lead with another from Chris York. However, Jack Wallace ended the half with a beautiful chip over the Quin’s defence for a try of his own. As pace slowed down in the second half so did the scoring. Sam Stuart notched one more before time ran out, cementing the Harlequins victory.
Saracens 29 Irish 0
The Saracens took it to the London Irish in the second match of the day, seeing them earn the bonus point in a very one sided affair. Jackson Wray opened up the scoring early with a try followed by another, not to long afterward. Former England international Kevin Barrett showed why he was the talk of the tournament putting home the Saracens' third try before halftime. It was more of the same after the break as Nils Mordt and Owen Farrell scored for the Saracens, completing what was a drubbing at the hands of last year's premiership finalists.
Saracens 21 Harlequins 5
The Saracens had very little time to catch their breath, as they took part in the third game of the day against the Harlequins. The lack of rest did not seem to phase them however, as George Kruis pushed them out to an early lead. Barrett caught up with his own kick to count a try, and Kruis notched his second. The Saracens ran away with their second victory.
Wasp 26 Irish 12
An all-London match-up was on tap for the fourth game of the night. The Wasps looked destined for victory the whole way through, as Adam Davies crossed the line twice, and Chris Elder cancelled out a late Irish try from Craig Holland. The Wasps managed a victory over an Irish side that seemed out of whack all day.
Harlequins 22 Irish 14
The Harlequins and Irish were locked in a back-and-forth fifth game of the day. The match saw the two sides exchange tries until Howard Graham and York were finally able to put the game out of reach, and give the Quins a strong chance to Qualify for the finals.
Saracens 19 Wasps 10
The Wasps were looking for a victory to take over second spot in the sixth and final match of the day. However, the Saracens did not let up and claimed victory placing them and the Harlequins at the top of the table after a day at Twickenham Stoop.
The Saracens opened quick with three consecutive tries, from Kruis, Luke Baldwin and Jake Sharpe. It was too late at the Wasps tried to battle back with two tries from of their own from Seb Jewell.
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