Melrose fall short against Harlequins in front of bumper crowd at their own Sevens



Melrose managed to get to their own final to face the pro side from England, Harlequins, in what would be a replay of the final 30 years ago when the Mighty Quins triumphed back in 1987. Quins were clinical at the breakdown, turning over ball and making the best use of it when in their hand, and, led by captain Charlie Walker, who was voted Player of the Tournament, got home 31-19 to win the famous trophy.  Melrose were without Fraser Thomas and Ross McCann through injury, yet drew on all their resources to battle right to the end. Austin Lockington had an outstanding tournament, running in some important game-clinching tries, but the whole of their squad played their part as they got past Dundee High, Selkirk and the Irish National 7s team (under the guise of The Co-Optimists) to reach the Final in front of a crowd of thousands at The Greenyards.

They were also fortunate to inherit the services of Selkirk’s flying South African winger Tythan Adams, who had earlier thrilled the spectators with his lightning fast pace earlier in the day in Selkirk colours, following an injury to one of Melrose’s players, and he was a big hit for sure. He is bound to be a huge draw at the rest of the Kings of the 7s events over the next few weeks.  But will Melrose and Selkirk reached the business end of the competition, along with K7s contenders Watsonians and Edinburgh Accies, it was not a good day for the other five Borders teams, with Gala, Hawick and Peebles bowing out at the first round, while Kelso and Jedforest existed the competition one round later.

In 15s St Boswells beat whipping boys Greenock 118-19 in Division 3, and if they win at home next week against Dumfries they will be promoted for the fourth year running into the second division where they could play against either Kelso or Peebles, a magnificent achievement.