Border Telegraph | Sport | Kings pretenders still waiting for their crown

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 7th May, 2008 12:00

Kings pretenders still waiting for their crown

By Atholl Innes at The Haugh

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SELKIRK came within one point of a second successive Kings of the Sevens title on Sunday.

But for the third time on the spring circuit, they were left the bridesmaids rather than the bride, losing in the Earlston final to their nearest challengers, Watsonians.

A win in the final would have given Selkirk the championship, but Watsonians proved too strong in a 36-17 win.

Now it will go down to the wire at Jed-Forest on Saturday when Selkirk just need get past round one while Watsonians have to win the tournament.

But Selkirk captain Neil Darling could hide his disappointment. “I thought we could have done it today, but we let ourselves down a bit in the final.

“We need to target the Kings of the Sevens to finish the season, but we want to win Jed as well.

“We have been in three finals, but we really want a trophy and something to show for it.

“I cannot fault the efforts of the boys. They give me 100 per cent every week. Watsonians probably played the better rugby, but we can hold our heads high.”

The Earlston win was the Myreside club’s second in a row following their victory at Peebles a week earlier, and Andrew Skeen, a key player said: “Hopefully we can down to Jed and get another one and a club does us a good turn by knocking out Selkirk.”

Watsonians reserved their best form for the final after scrappy wins over Berwick and Heriot’s and then a more comfortable victory over Kelso.

But they carried too much of a physical presence for the Borders club in a strength-sapping final in front of a huge crowd.

They raced into an early lead with tries from Dougie Brown, named Player of the Tournament, and Ally Rowe before Selkirk hit back with touchdowns by Neil Darling and Rory Aglen.

But Brown scored again before the interval and Rowe (2) and Skeen adding to Selkirk’s problems and they could respond only with a Fraser Harkness try.

Selkirk coach Kevin Barrie said: “Watsonians are a strong outfit and deserved their win. But our boys put a big effort in and we still have Jed to look forward to.”

Selkirk had no problem in disposing of Stewart’s Melville, Peebles and then Jed-Forest – and having lost in the finals at Hawick and Berwick, were looking to break that duck.

But despite the shorter break, Watsonians looked the hungrier side and Selkirk were left playing catch-up rugby.

Results:

First round: Langholm 12, Peebles 22; Selkirk 31, Stewart’s Melville 17; Jed-Forest 21, Gala 5; Melrose 32, Haddington 12; Kelso 41, Duns 10; Edinburgh Accies 29, Earlston 7; Hawick 35, Heriot’s 36; Watsonians 14, Berwick 7.

Second round: Peebles 7, Selkirk 31; Jed-Forest 40, Melrose 5; Kelso 38; Edinburgh Accies 0; Heriot’s 19, Watsonians 21.

Semi-finals: Selkirk 31; Jed-Forest 12; Kelso 5, Watsonians 26.

Final: Selkirk 17, Watsonians 36.

Selkirk: E. Gauche, D. Cassidy, G. Craig, F. Harkness, S. Hendrie, R. Nixon, L, Jones, R. Aglen, N. Darling, R. Crockatt.

Watsonians:

G. Brown, G. Hills, C. Sorbie, E. Howe, M. Ker, A.Skeen, A. Rowe, T, Callander, E. Clark, D. Brown.

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