By From the Archives
August 16 2002

The Saints, fielding a strong lineup, progressed to the semi final stage of the 75th Middlesex Sevens tournament at Twickenham on Saturday but failed at the penultimate hurdle to a Pat Lam touchline inspired Newcastle Falcons side. The Saints started well easily disposing of second division Worcester in their first game posting the highest winning margin of the opening round in their 45-0 win.

The quarter finals paired the team against our good friends London Irish. Despite a late fightback by the Exiles, the Saints, including an oustanding James Brooks, held off the Irish challenge to progress to the semis in a 19-14 win.

Newcastle Falcons, who had earlier played the best rugby in the lower drawn section, were the only thing standing detween the Saints and their first Middlesex Finals appearance since 1993 but despite an Andy Blowers try with just 9 seconds on the clock the Falcons, cheered on by ex-skipper Pat Lam hit back with five tries of their own to run out the 31-7 winners.

The Falcons luck however failed them in the final where they lost to a heavily Fijian inspired British Army side 45-21. The Army, who also disposed of Zurich sides Wasps, Bath and Sarcens made a mockery of their outsiders tag and were deserving winners on the day (as was BBC pundit Matt Dawson who is understood to have had a 'couple of bob' on the Army boys at 25/1).

Harlequins, who are making a habit of winning 'secondary' competitions, beat Blackheath to win the Plate final.