By Rugby World reader Nikki Huntwood

What a fantastic day out, great fun, great company, great rugby and great weather, the Middlesex sevens is a great way to start the season.

Pre tournament prediction from Taymour was London Irish to win and after the first round Sas predicted a London Irish v ULR Samurai final – both predictions proved to be correct.

The first two games weren’t particularly spectacular and got off to a slow start, then Harlequins v Kukri White Hart Marauders started playing, now this game was much more like it, apart from the unfortunate injury to Jonno Ross (Quins) being stretchered off, final result saw the Quins relegated to the plate competition putting paid to their hopes of winning the tournament for the second year running. Quins made it to the plate final though, against Sale Sharks.  Sale won the plate 24 -12.

There were some excellent tries scored and great phases of play from all sides throughout the day, keeping the spectators entertained.  Despite some England players being withdrawn from playing, the young, up and coming players really demonstrated some flair and exciting play. And as expected, no tournament would be complete without a streaker…a female this year, a marriage proposal from a banana in pyjamas to a cave woman – she accepted and of course the obligatory Mexican Wave!

The final was dominated by London Irish with Samurai not really having an answer to the Irish attack, half time score was 19 – 0.  The second half looked like the Irish attack would remain unanswered until Sailosi Tagicakibua was sin-binned for a high tackle with 4 minutes to go, finally Samurai got back into the game.  Despite a good fight to the end, with a last try in the dying seconds the Irish remained in control with a final score of 26 – 19, the Irish had won the tournament!