The British Army - inspired by their dazzling array of Fijian talent - destroyed Gloucester's dream of Middlesex Sevens glory at Twickenham. Skipper Howard Graham led his team to a stunning 43-24 triumph, but it was Fijian speed merchants Apolosi Satala, Isoa Damudamu and Epeli Qolikibua who stole the show. They each claimed try doubles in the final, leaving Gloucester floundering.

Tries by Alex Page, James Simpson-Daniel, Marcel Garvey and outstanding young prospect James Bailey kept them in contention, but the Army pulled away during the closing stages. It was their second Middlesex Sevens title in four seasons, and Northampton remain the only Premiership club to have won the competition since 1995.

The tournament's outstanding two teams met in a pulsating clash, watched by a crowd of 28,000, and the Army came up trumps after trailing 14-5 midway through the first-half. The loss of Simon Amor, sevens captain of both Gloucester and England, with an ankle injury during their first-round encounter with Newcastle, ultimately cost Gloucester dear.

The Army, after receiving a first-round walkover following crisis club Rotherham's withdrawal, knocked out Leicester and London Irish, while Gloucester swept past a dangerous Newcastle outfit, Saracens and Worcester.

In doing so, they paraded a potential star of the new domestic season in former Bristol wing James Bailey, who showed blistering pace, especially during a two-try display against Saracens.

The first-round action was overshadowed by further woes for Rotherham, who failed to take their place on the starting grid. They were due to kick off the 16-team tournament against the Army, but dropped out late last night after plans for an unnamed consortium to purchase the club seemingly collapsed. And with the club in turmoil, facing possible extinction next week, it was no surprise that their sevens campaign did not leave base camp.

The fightback of the day belonged to Leicester, who were 19-7 adrift against first-round opponents Bath with five minutes to go before pinching an unlikely win through tries from Scott Bemand, Harry Ellis and Ross Broadfoot.

Newcastle won the plate competition, beating Loughborough University in the final.

Saracens, meanwhile, have announced the signing of big winger Pila Fifita from North Otago. The 29-year-old played for Tonga in the World Cup.