Saracens' Kevin Barrett carves open the London Irish defence during the opening event in the inaugural Premiership Rugby Sevens © Getty Images

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Teams: England | Harlequins | London Irish | Saracens | Wasps

Picture Gallery: Premiership Rugby Sevens - Twickenhan Stoop

Saracens and Harlequins booked their places in the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens Series Final next month after seeing off the challenge of London Wasps and London Irish in the opening event of the competition at The Stoop in Twickenham.

Saracens set the standard with three impressive victories to ensure they claimed top spot in Group A and in doing so guaranteed their place at the tournament finale at The Rec on August 6. England 7s international Kevin Barrett pulled the strings for last year's Premiership finalists with youngsters Jackson Wray and George Kruis also catching the eye on an entertaining evening in south west London. Quins held off the challenge of Wasps to ensure their final berth but were second best to Sarries and had to rely on their rivals to ensure their own passage.

Harlequins opened their account with a 15-5 victory over Wasps in a lung-busting opener. Quins grabbed the first try through Neil McMillan and their dominance brought another before the break from Chris York. But there was still time for a fine try from Wasps' Jack Wallace who chipped the ball over the Quins defence before claiming the ball and a try. The pace of the game appeared to take its toll on the skill levels after the break with fatigue and errors littering the play but Sam Stuart ensured Quins made a winning start to the competition with a try on the stroke of full time.

Saracens tackled London Irish in the night's second game and Wray gave his side the lead with the opening try. A superb pass from Barrett put him away for his second moments later and he should have had his hat-trick soon after but his handling let him down as the try line beckoned. The lively Barrett hammered home their advantage with a great short side burst that led to his side's third try before the break. London Irish showed precious little attacking endeavour after the break while Saracens grabbed a bonus point with a try from Nils Mordt. But they weren't finished with Owen Farrell rounding out the scoring.

There was little respite for Saracens as they returned to the field to tackle Quins in the next clash but they still had enough in the tank to take the lead through Kruis. And Barrett edged his side nearer the Series final with a kick into space before winning the foot race to touch the ball down for a try. Noah Cato was the next to stretch the Quins defence that Kruis exploited for his second try. The miserly Saracens defence finally gave up a score with JJ Kilmartin dotting down but Quins would not get any closer.

Tim Streather gave Wasps an early lead in the next match of the evening against London Irish and they took a form grip on the game with a second try from Adam Davies. But a great burst of speed from Neville Edwards brought the Exiles back into the contest. But they were soon chasing the game again with Davies grabbing his second after a great break from veteran Andy Gommarsall - back in Wasps colours for the first time since 1999. Craig Holland crossed for Irish with just under a minute to play to bring his side to within a converted score but Wasps had the final say with a try from Chris Elder.

Quins made a superb start to their final clash against Irish with Miles Mantella showing a great step and good pace to score in the corner. But back came Irish with Ryan Lamb snaffling a loose ball before racing away to score under the posts. The tit-for-tat exchange continued with York grabbing a try for Quins before James Stephenson stepped his way through the hosts' defence for a try. Player/coach Howard Graham gave Quins a narrow lead midway through the second half and York put the result beyond doubt by pouncing on a lineout error. The result put them in second spot and on course for a place in the final although they had to wait for the last game of the even before celebrating.

Wasps entered the last game of the night against Saracens needing a win to leap-frog Quins in the table and into the final but their cause was not helped by a try from the impressive Kruis. Saracens' defence continued to pin Wasps deep in their own half and Luke Baldwin was the next to breach their line. Wasps pressed after the break but they were caught on a counter by Jake Sharp whose try all but decided the contest. Seb Jewell grabbed a score for Wasps soon after and added another late in the game but Saracens were not to be denied.

The competition continues at Welford Road next Friday where hosts Leicester will go head-to-head with Leeds, Newcastle and Sale in Group B.

Group A Results:
Harlequins 15-5 London Wasps
Saracens 29-0 London Irish
Saracens 21-5 Harlequins
London Wasps 26-12 London Irish
Harlequins 22-14 London Irish
Saracens 19-10 London Wasps

* Progress to the J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby Sevens Series Final at The Rec, Bath, August 6