Apr 30th
Gala finally ended their season tonight at Netherdale with their re-arranged league match against Aberdeen Grammar. They knew a draw would be good enough to give them an impressive third placed finishing spot in Premier 2 and they achieved that with a 25-20 win, with two tries from Mike Christie and Ewan Dodds and penalty goals from Graham Speirs (3) and Gregor Hunter (2).

Apr 27th
Gala A team beat Selkirk A tonight to take the Border Farm Supplies 2nd XV Championship Final by 18-16 in a close fought game at Poynder Park. Selkirk were leading at the break 13-8 but an impressive fightback from the Maroons in the second period helped them to sneak the win. Gala's tries came from Gavin Young and Ewan Dodds while Lee Miller kicked two penalties and a conversion. For Selkirk their one try was scored by Craig MacDougal, with the rest of the points coming from the boot of Rory Banks, who landed two penalties, a drop goal and a conversion. Tomorrow night sees the final of the Border League taking place at The Greenyards between Melrose and Selkirk. Kick off is at 6.30pm.

Left: Gareth Brown presented with the Borders Farm Supplies 2nd XV Trophy by
Ian Watson from the sponsors. Right: The winning Gala squad.
Pictures: Grant Kinghorn, GrantKinghornpics

Apr 27th - Stuart Cameron on Sevens - Comment
It's been a highly entertaining Kings of the Sevens tournament so far. Seven games
gone and three to go, and as we always like it, there is a very good chance it will go
down to the wire with the winners not known until the final tournament on May 8th
at Jedforest.

While there has been some magnificent rugby to watch and some supreme skills from teams and individuals, there is still that underlying feeling that it could, of course, be so much better.

The bad weather scuppered the chances of some teams simply because the season has dragged on and on and on forcing the likes of Melrose and Selkirk to put in either a second string team at some of the venues or even not being able to field a side at all. Effectively these sides have been penalised for getting success in the 15-a-side game, and that is regrettable. What we would all give to see teams fielding their best players in all the tournaments, and hopefully this new season structure will go some way to addressing this. Having said that there is still every chance that Selkirk and Melrose will be there or thereabouts come the Jed leg of the K7s despite their handicap.

What has been brilliant is the fact that it's so tight at the top. In the space of three tournaments we had three different leaders in the table, and they were all Borders teams. Kelso (38 points), Jed (34) and Selkirk (31) are heading the way after Round 7 but you cannot rule out Melrose (23), Hawick (21) and Watsonians (20) who will try their best to retain the title once again.

At the start of the season my money was on Melrose and Hawick. Melrose have some incredibly talented players - natural ball players who love to throw the ball about - and had they been able to compete on a level playing field they would probably be leading by now. Full credit to them for fielding their strongest team THE DAY AFTER they lost in the Cup Final at Murrayfield. The club definitely scored brownie points for that!

Hawick can beat anyone on their day and at their own Sports they now appear to be
unbeatable! A hat trick of wins at Mansfield Park for them for the first time in over 100 years was magnificent, but they'll be the first to admit they haven't been consistent.

It's tough for the players to perform on a double weekend in what can be an energy-
sapping time particularly for the teams who are playing a lot of rugby by getting to the latter stages. I'm pleased that all the tournaments will be at the end of the season from next year but it does put huge pressure on the players.

It's been clear over the past few years that some clubs have pulled out of competitions - some at the last moment - and that is very disappointing. Some have had genuine reasons but others have not, so it was so refreshing at Langholm's 7s to see Edinburgh University turn up and get to the final, dumping out full strength Watsonians (with two Scottish internationalists) on their way there and giving Kelso a real fright in the Final. What this team brought to the table was a breath of fresh air. They were keen, they were very competitive, and they delighted the crowd.

They were also committed to a tournament which meant something to them. They bought into the Kings of the 7s and would love to be regular players on the circuit. The tournament NEEDS clubs like this and I am thrilled to see them being invited to the Gala 7s this Saturday. All organisers take note for next year. Edinburgh University should be given a chance to compete in all tournaments next year. They may not be 15s high flyers but with young fast students they could be a real threat to any team, and I hope they do well on Saturday to further they cause to be included.

Finally, it may be trivial, but I have to mention this as I'm on the subject of Sevens. Please Please Please remember that there is no apostrophe in 7s. If you write the word down it is Sevens not Seven's so why do we see high profile banners advertising 7's everywhere? It maybe a small moan, and perhaps I really should get a life, but let's get it right chaps - as opposed to Chap's!!!

Apr 26th
The draw has been made for the Earlston Sevens at The Haugh on May 2nd.

Peebles v Duns
Kelso v Edinburgh Accies
Gala v Berwick
Watsonians v Selkirk
Earlston v Haddington
Jedforest v Langholm
Stewart's Melville v Hawick YM
Hawick v Melrose

Apr 26th
Once again Earlston Annual Sevens is being held on Sunday 2^nd May 2010 - it will be the penultimate BSPC Kings of the Sevens, in association with Radio Borders, tournament.  President of the host club, Hugh Briggs is pleased to announce for the 80^th playing of their tournament a new and exciting sponsorship venture with Lauderdale Heating Services, of Earlston, being the main sponsor. Hugh said “I’m delighted that a local company such as LHS has decided to sponsor our prestigious tournament.  

The club wishes to note that it fully supports the announcement from member clubs who organise the King of the Sevens Tournament Circuit that it will no longer be permissible to carry alcohol into the ground on the day of the tournament. For further information please refer to the official Kings of the Sevens Website http://www.kingsofthesevens.net , Earlston RFC encourage supporters to drink sensibly and make the day enjoyable for all. 

Apr 25th
Peebles hosted Round 7 of the Kings of the 7s tournament, and it was won by Melrose, who bounced back from their defeat in the Scottish Cup Final just a day earlier to retain the trophy they won last year.  They defeated Jedforest in the Final by 54-7, having put out Boroughmuir, Gala and Selkirk in earlier rounds. Callum Anderson was voted Player of the Tournament - he was also top try scorer of the tournament. Watch the Final here.

Gary Parker has been announced officially as Head Coach of Peebles for the new season. Gary, who is currently in charge of Scotland's Women's team, was last involved in coaching at club level when he was jointly in charge of Gala with Richie Gray. He's been itching to get involved and is looking forward to a new challenge. He is pictured (above) with Peebles President Jim Currie.