---------------------- THURSDAY 17 MAY ----------------------
 

JEDFOREST AIMING FOR HIGHEST EVER K7s POINTS TOTAL

The Jedforest 7s tournament will bring to an end the gruelling 10-date Kings of the 7s series. Although Jed have won the series for the third time and been the most consistent in the campaign they want to to get their third win as Watsonians have done by winning three of the last four events.

But the Edinburgh side's slow start has cost them the Kings title, and runner-up is the best they can do now on Saturday. With both teams at other ends of the draw if they meet it will be in the Final. Melrose are currently in second place in the table and currently hold the record for most points in a series. Their win over Jed in the final of the Jed 7s last year (Pictured left by Rob Gray) put them on 65 points but if Jed can get through to the semi final on Saturday by knocking out Berwick and then either Gala or Edinburgh Accies, they will beat that total.

The Kings series was first introduced in the 2002-3 season so this is the tenth year it's been competed for. Melrose and now Jed have won three titles, Selkirk two and Gala and Watsonians one each.

---------------------- WEDNESDAY 16 MAY ----------------------
 

ROSS FORD TO CAPTAIN SCOTLAND ON SUMMER TOUR

Borderer Ross Ford has been named captain of Andy Robinson's touring party which will meet Australia, Fiji and Samoa next month. Ryan Grant is one of five uncapped players given the chance. He is included along with Tim Visser, who now qualifies for Scotland following his residency in this country, Tom Brown, Tom Ryder and Rob Harley who hope to win first caps while on tour. Here is the full party, with the four Borders players in yellow. Kelly Brown and Lee Jones are injured.

BACKS: Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Tom Brown, Chris Cusiter, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Alex Grove, Stuart Hogg, Greig Laidlaw, Sean Lamont, Matt Scott, Tim Visser, Duncan Weir.
FORWARDS: John Barclay, Geoff Cross, Ross Ford (c), Ryan Grant, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Rob Harley, Al Kellock, Scott Lawson, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Tom Ryder, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon and Jon Welsh.

Scotland will play Australia on 6 June (4.30am BST). Fiji on 17th (1am) and Samoa on 23rd (3.30am).

---------------------- MONDAY 14 MAY ----------------------
 

DRAW FOR THE JEDFOREST SEVENS HAS BEEN MADE

The 10-leg Kings of the Sevens tournament will reach its climax at Jedforest this Saturday with the traditional ending at Riverside Park, but for the first time in a few years we already know who will be crowned Kings as Jedforest themselves were confirmed as winners last Saturday at the Selkirk Sevens.

With another final appearance two days ago, and the fact that the only team who could have caught them, Melrose, were knocked out by Kelso at the Quarter Final stage, Jed's lead is unassailable.  

The Jedforest 7s - a huge family event - will again be well supported and the First Round draw is as follows, using the seeded system:-

Falkirk v Peebles, Melrose v Hawick YM, Musselburgh v Selkirk, Watsonians v Kelso, Gala v Edinburgh Accies, Jedforest v Berwick, Edinburgh University v Langholm, Hawick v Heriot's

---------------------- SATURDAY 12 MAY ----------------------
 

JED ARE KINGS OF THE 7s BUT WATSONIANS WIN AT SELKIRK

With Melrose going out of the Selkirk Sevens tournament at the quarter final stage when Kelso beat them 22-21, it meant that Jedforest are confirmed as winners of this year's Kings of  the 7s series. But it was Watsonians who claimed their third win this season with a dynamic display in the final against Jedforest running out winners by 47-19. It  was the third time they had beaten Jed on the circuit.

Jed had come through the opening ties in fine form with a win against Edinburgh Accies 29-5 before knocking out another Edinburgh team, Heriot's, in the quarter final 33-10. By the time they had run out onto the field to face Selkirk in the semi final they had the knowledge of knowing they had won the overall title, and celebrated by getting past the hosts in a tight tie 21-17.

Watsonians proved too strong for Kelso in the other semi final, winning 24-14. Earlier there was a piece of history made when Hawick and Hawick YM locked horns in a competition for the first time, but the senior club from the town took the match 34-5 before goinbg out against the eventual winners. Jed will be presented with the K7s trophy at their own event next Saturday.  Watch the highlights here.

---------------------- FRIDAY 11 MAY ----------------------
 

ANDREW SKEEN CALLED UP FOR SCOTLAND 7s / MacLEOD BACK

Melrose will be without Andrew Skeen for the Selkirk Sevens tomorrow as he has been called up by the Scotland 7s team for the final leg of the IRB World Sevens Series at Twickenham. He will replace Jim Thompson who has picked up an injury.

Former Hawick and Scotland lock forward Scott McLeod is returning from Japan to play rugby at Newcastle Falcons next season. Citing a lack of game time for his early return to the UK, he is looking forward to a new challenge at relegated Newcastle who aim to bounce back to the Premiership under the direction of Dean Richards..  

Meanwhile Hawick YM have been snubbed again by the SRU after failing again to pick up the RBS Club of the Month award due to the fact that their efforts on the park (one loss in the league all season) are eclipsed by other factors off the field which prevents them from scoring enough points to compete. It's a rule that needs looking at by the SRU. Even if they went through the season as cup and league winners they would probably still not get enough "points" to win, which is madness.

---------------------- THURSDAY 10 MAY ----------------------
 

LEE JONES TO MISS SCOTLAND'S SUMMER TOUR

Former Selkirk winger Lee Jones will not be travelling with Scotland to Australia, Samoa and Fiji due to injury. The 23 year old has a fractured right shoulder and he has been ruled out, along with David Denton (injury) and Jim Hamilton (suspension). Kelly Brown is still recovering from his leg injury and stated when he came to the Melrose Sevens with Saracens last month that he wouldn't be fit either. The proposed extra match for a Scotland XV against Waratahs has been cancelled.

Scotland team doctor James Robson said: "Lee suffered the fracture in the Heineken Cup Semi Final game in Dublin. He will be out for around eight weeks."   

Bowing out of the scene totally will be former Border Reivers star Simon Danielli who has had one too many injury now and has decided to call it a day. Danielli was one of the Scottish team who was highly praised for his work for Scotland in the World Cup, scoring two tries against Romania.  The party for the three match tour will be announced on Wednesday and has been cut to 28 from 38 as a result.

---------------------- TUESDAY 9 MAY ----------------------
 

CHRIS PATERSON NAMED AMBASSADOR FOR SCOTTISH RUGBY

When you win 109 caps for your country, put in the amount of work needed and more to achieve your goals, and be as giving towards fellow players, employer and fans as Chris Paterson, it is no wonder that "Mossy" is held in such high esteem, and that loyalty has been rewarded with a new role created especially for him by Scottish Rugby, who recognise that he has so much more to give now that he has hung up his boots. 
But he will be more than an ambassador. His coaching talents will be used and he will work closely with Scotland's specialised kicking coach Duncan Hodge. Scottish Rugby's Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Dominic McKay, said: "This is an opportunity for Chris to forge a new exciting career and enable future generations to benefit from his unparalleled experience."
His exemplary conduct on and off the field makes Chris the ultimate role model for anyone. He has never forgotten where he came from and is always first to put his hand up if help is needed. The ultimate "Mr Nice Guy" is looking forward to promoting the positive values of the game and he will continue to inspire.

---------------------- MONDAY 8 MAY ----------------------
 

FOUR BORDERERS INCLUDED IN SCOTLAND U20 SQUAD

The IRB World U20 Championships will take place in South Africa from 4th June and Peter Wright's Scotland squad has just been announced with Harry Leonard, the young Edinburgh pro, named as captain, but while no local players have been included in the backs, four forwards from the Borderers have made it into the party of 28, including two who didn't feature in the U20 Six Nations campaign.

Gala's Gary Graham will travel along with former Langholm and now Edinburgh teenager Robin Hislop, ex Earlston and currently Dundee HSFP's Gavin Robertson and Jedforest's Andrew Nagle, who was involved with Scotland U20 against the English Counties last week.   

There are 16 forwards and 12 backs and Wright said: "We have to ensure that we preserve our position in the Junior World Championship and avoid relegation to the next tier down. Realistically we are aiming for a place between 5th and eighth."  Scotland will face Australia, France and Argentina in their pool.

---------------------- MONDAY 8 MAY ----------------------
 

HAWICK TO FACE HAWICK YM AT SELKIRK SEVENS

Selkirk RFC will almost certainly sell a few more tickets for this Saturday's Selkirk Sevens at Philphaugh as a result of the draw which was made this morning and has put Hawick and Hawick YM together in the first round. This will be the first time the two teams have met in a Kings of the 7s tie and already the banter between both camps is understandably entertaining to say the least! 
Ryan Hogg (pictured left) will be hoping to recover from the dead leg he received playing for Hawick at Earlston yesterday, but as he has played for both the Greens and the Redskins already this season it will be interesting to see who he chooses to play for!  BRTV will be filming that tie on Saturday.

The event, which kicks off at 2pm, has been seeded with Jedforest possibly having the toughest first round tie from the top four in the table against Edinburgh Accies. Full Draw: Heriot's v Langholm, Jed v Edin Accies, Selkirk v Biggar, Gala v Peebles, Hawick v Hawick YM, Watsonians v Falkirk, Melrose v Edinburgh University, Kelso v Berwick.

---------------------- MONDAY 8 MAY ----------------------
 

MORE SUCCESS FOR HAWICK'S STUART HOGG

What a season it's been for the young Hawick player Stuart Hogg who has gone from playing amateur club rugby to a pro contract with Glasgow Warriors, then a Scotland A cap where he scored THAT try, then onto a full Scotland cap, a try against France at Murrayfield and then a hat trick of tries last month for Glasgow Warriors. No wonder he has just been voted Rabo Direct 12 Young Player of the Season!

Stuart is living proof that dreams can become reality and while one Borders legend, Chris Paterson, bowed out of the game at the weekend to pursue a new challenge with Scottish Rugby, there is no doubt that the teenager has the potential to become an even bigger star with many years ahead of him.   

The Borders may produce a continuous string of world class players but off the pitch there are more achievements to be found, and ex Selkirk President Donald MacLeod will be confirmed as Vice President of Scottish Rugby at the AGM next month as he is the only nominee. President Ian McLauchlan will end his two year run and is likely to be replaced by current VP Alan Lawson.

---------------------- SUNDAY 7 MAY ----------------------
 

MELROSE REDUCE JED'S LEAD AS THEY RETAIN EARLSTON 7s

The three teams below Jedforest in the Kings of the 7s table all took points off them at the Earlston 7s this afternoon as the title is set to once again go down to the wire with just two tournaments remaining.

After seeing off Berwick 35-26 in a thrilling first round encounter Jed were put out by a revitalised Selkirk in the quarter final, giving them three points to add to their total from yesterday's final appearance at Kelso. Watsonians closed the gap on them by claiming five for a semi final appearance against Hawick, but the Greens scored seven by knocking out the Edinburgh team and reaching the final.

But Melrose's win in the last game of the day gave them the crucial 10 points and are now within breathing distance of Jedforest to set up a thrilling conclusion at Selkirk next Saturday and Jedforest the following weekend. Melrose fielded John Dalziel and Graeme Dodds in their team and the pair gave a boost to the rest of the side, who looked comfortable. They won the Final 26-17. Listen here.

---------------------- SATURDAY 6 MAY ----------------------
 

WATSONIANS LIFT KELSO 7s FOR FIRST TIME - JED EXTEND LEAD

A piece of history was made at the Kelso 7s today with Watsonians winning the title there for the first time in their history. It gave them back to back victories in the Kings of the 7s series and their win against Jedforest by 33-28 puts them third in the table. But Jed have broken through the 50 mark with 51 points. They are now 16 points clear of Melrose who they beat for a sixth successive time in this year's tournament. They stay second on 35pts, Watsonians have 31 and Hawick, who were knocked out by Watsonians, have 28 in fourth. You can watch the Final by clicking here.

In the Melrose v Jed semi Gregor Young (Jed) and Melrose's Bruce Dick both suffered injuries which will put them out for the rest of the season.  Jed's Iain Chisholm is pictured by Rob Gray from an earlier tie.
Kelso were the first club to use a pool system for their centenary 7s back in the 1970s and they employed it again this afternoon. With Gala also adopting the format this season others may follow for 2013.  Meanwhile Gala Wanderers won the Jed Thistle 7s title beating Kelso Quins 45-12 in the Final.

---------------------- FRIDAY 5 MAY ----------------------
 

GALA RED TRIANGLE WIN MATT LOCHRIE MEMORIAL CUP 

Some of the most exciting running rugby of the season at any level was on show tonight at Netherdale when Gala Red Triangle played Melrose Under 15s for the Matt Lochrie Memorial Cup which was staged as a tribute to the young Gala fly half who tragically died in January. The two captains, pictured with the trophy by Rob Gray, are Mark Amos (left) and Euan Runciman. Watch the highlights here.

Both teams committed themselves to running the ball at every opportunity and at times the phases of play were reminiscent of a Barbarians game. It was a full-on match played at a very fast pace and both sides got stuck in from the whistle. Plenty of claret was spilled during the course of the 70 minutes!

Although the scoreline was close at 29-25, Gala Red Triangle were 29-8 ahead with 10 minutes to go and credit to Melrose who came back with three late tries to make the result very respectable. Gala's tries were scored by Mark Amos, Ben Hodges, Alexander Lyons, Kelvin Shillinglaw and Ruairi Howarth while Melrose's four came from a hat trick by the impressive Craig Pringle and George Taylor.

---------------------- TUESDAY 1 MAY ----------------------
 

BIG RESPONSE TO OUR GLASGOW 7s COMPETITION

We've been running our Glasgow 7s competition for almost a week now and we nearly hit the 500 mark for entries, so thanks to all who told us that the two Jedforest players who were selected for the initial Scotland squad for the final two legs were Gregor and Lewis Young.

As we now know, neither were selected for the final 12 who will take part in the Scottish and English legs of the series, but it means that Borders crowds will be able to enjoy their talents this weekend at the Kelso and Earlston tournaments.

We put all the correct names from the 492 who entered into a very large hat and first out was Martin Cruickshank from Edinburgh who wins a pair of tickets for each day. The second correct answer out came from Stephanie Dalgleish from Hawick who is the winner of the signed Scotland 7s jersey. Congrats to both our winners.  We will have another competition for your shortly.

---------------------- TUESDAY 1 MAY ----------------------
 

FRASER THOMSON TO MAKE HIS DEBUT FOR BARBARIANS 

Melrose Full Back Fraser Thomson is the latest Borders player to be selected to play for the most famous club in the world, The Barbarians, when he dons the number 15 shirt against Loughborough University on May 9th in the traditional fixture between the two teams.

He will follow Melrose team mate John Dalziel and Lee Jones who played for the Baa-Baas last season. The Barbarians style of playing open rugby will suit Fraser down to the ground, and the fact that the team will be coached by Andy Robinson will not do his future prospects any harm at all.

Fraser had a trial down at Sale at the end of last season and many believe that he is on the verge of following the likes of Stuart Hogg, Scott Wight, Gregor Hunter and Lee Jones into Pro Rugby. At the weekend he was playing 7s in the Melrose squad at Peebles, helping them pick up more points in their bid to retain the Kings of the Sevens trophy and is likely to feature again this weekend at Kelso.