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The first round of matches from the 85th Middlesex Sevens have been completed at Twickenham.

London Irish have started off their title defence in confident fashion with a win over a young Leicester. Delon Armitage led from the front with two tries in the 31-7 win.

Premiership new boys Exeter Chiefs weren’t fazed by invitational specialists the HFW Wailers. With the scores locked at 14-14 extra-time was required with Exeter’s Drew Locke proving the match-winner with long range try.
Tom Varndell was on song for London Wasps in their opener against Newcastle Falcons. His late score helping to seal an eventual 21-7 win.

England, playing under the Help for Heroes banner, were pushed all the way against the JP Morgan Premiership Sevens winners Saracens. With the scores locked at 5-5 in an error-strewn clash it was left to Simon Hunt to save Ben Ryan’s sides blushes, with England taking it 10-5.

The Gilbert Pups, a late replacement for Scotland, fought hard against National Sevens Series runners-up the British Army. But it was the servicemen’s Fijian flair that proved the difference as Jack Prasad, Alex Yamoyamo and Gus Qasevakatini crossing the chalk in a 19-5 victory.

Kenya bruiser Gray Cullen powered over for tries in the African’s 19-12 win over a raw Leeds Carnegie outfit.
Nick Easter’s brace drove Harlequins to a shock 36-19 win over Wales. The Welsh had established an early 14-0 lead but were pegged by a second half yellow card.

A star-studded Samurai once again have assembled some of the best exponents of the sevens game to Twickenham, with players from the South African, New Zealand, Kenyan and the Portuguese national sides. Brimming with confidence from their National Sevens Series win they dispatched the White Hart Marauders 38-5.

Cup quarter-finals:

London Irish v Exeter Chiefs
London Wasps v Help for Heroes
British Army v Kenya 7s
Harlequins v ULR Samurai