Border Telegraph | News | A Melrose Sevens to remember

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 18th April, 2007 11:03

A Melrose Sevens to remember

By Border Telegraph Sport

SNUBBED by the SRU for the IRB Sevens, Melrose put on a show to remember at its own special tournament.

And the Shimlas, from South Africa lifted the Ladies Centenary Cup at the Cala Homes Melrose Sevens for the first time on one of the hottest days on record at The Greenyards.

In another massive show of support for Borders rugby, the huge crowd of 12,000 basked in glorious sunshine and watched some exhilarating rugby, particularly from the guest sides.

The Shimlas held on in a pulsating final to beat the holders, Newcastle Falcons, 17-10.

There was a Scottish interest in the final when the Scotland Sevens player Roddy Grant, grandson of former Gala stalwart, Bob Burrell, was called in by the South Africans due to injury.

Grant, however, did not get on to the field.

But that was the closest the Borders clubs got to winning the cup since Gala’s success in 1999.

The delight on the faces of the Shimlas showed how much it meant to them to take the cup home. “We are so proud,” said try-scorer in the final, Shagan Vibdrogel.

“We lost out last year, but this was just tremendous. It means so much to us.”

Shimlas took an early lead in the final with a try by Nicholas Jackson only for James Hamer to level before the interval.

It then became a test of strength and character after the hot afternoon, and was no surprise that the final was one of the closest in recent years.

J. W. Yonker’s try and conversion was cancelled out by Lewis Boyd’s score before Shagan Vindrogel wrapped it up for the South Africans.

Falcons and Shimlas were undoubtedly the best sevens on view, their pace and crisp handling proving key elements on a day ready-made for running rugby.

In Ollie Phillips and Adam Dehaty, Falcons had speed and creativity and were never tested in any of their early matches while Shimlas, beaten by Heriot’s in last year’s tournament, gained revenge against their city opponents.

Oxford University were the first of the seeded sides to reach the semi-finals scoring 33 points in each of their first two ties.

The students went out to Falcons, but they had the consolation of the top scorer of the day in winger Tom Tombleson, who collected a hat-trick of tries against Melrose and followed it with a double against Ayr and one against Falcons.

And the came on as a replacement for Falcons in the final.

There was disappointment for the hosts, who crashed out against Oxford in the second round.

The first real Borders battle saw Hawick and Gala come face to face in round two.

But it was a disappointing tie Keith Hedley and Scott Forrest scoring for Hawick and Greig Brown and Roddy Grant replying for the Maroons.

Grant gave Gala the lead with the last move of the game.

In another tight tie, Jed-Forest (Roy McFarlane) and Fraser Harkness exchanged first half tries.

Craig Hunter’s try gave Selkirk the lead.

Gala pulled off that major win over Hawick, who had earlier swept past Langholm, but then offered no resistance to the Shimlas.

Selkirk did well to reach the last eight, and were two tries up through Fraser Harkness and Darren Hoggan against Earlier, Selkirk had eased out Jed-Forest.

Kelso seemed to be heading to the last eight until they were stunned by three Watsonians tries while the city side had to come from behind in all their three ties.

So a day to remember at Melrose…and for those up the road at Murrayfield, beat that!

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