Published: Wednesday, 14th May, 2008 10:00
Selkirk the Kings - but it was close
By Atholl Innes at Riverside Park
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Selkirk celebrate their Kings of the Sevens success.
Pic by: John Robertson
STORMS lashed part of the Borders on Saturday - but the only storm to wreak havoc at Jed-Forest Sevens was the Watsonians squad of 10.
On their Borders raid in three weeks, the pirated the Jed cup and left Selkirk mighty relieved that after one tie they had the Kings of the Sevens title in the bag.
And the Souters know that Watsonians has pledged to be back in the autumn for another bash at the title.
“We love the sevens,” said coach Andrew Ker, proud owner of 56 Borders medals – 43 winners and 13 runners-up.
However, they might have to play without skipper and Player-of-the-Tournament, Andrew Skeen, who is looking at a move to Europe and the professional game.
Ker acknowledged that Selkirk earned their Kings title, if only by two points – but will be chasing that top prize next season.
For Selkirk, there was joy that the title had been secured, but disappointment that the players had not been able to add to their successes at Kelso and their own tournament.
“It has been a long, hard season and the boys have worked really hard,” said captain Neil Darling.
“It has been a fantastic effort and I just cannot fsailt the boys for commitment and effort.”
On Saturday, Watsonians, with Jamie Blackwood back at the club, improved with every tie to win the trophy for the first time since 2004 to beat Hawick 45-17in the final.
On a pulsating afternoon of rugby played in front of a sun-drenched crowd of over 3000,which missed the storms elsewhere in the Borders, Watsonians followed up their successes at Peebles and Earlston with a sparkling display of running rugby in the final although Hawick battled to the last whistle.
But it was not enough the Kings title and the Myreside club had to be satisfied with the runners-up position.
On their way to the final, Watsonians beat Melrose, Gala and hosts Jed while Hawick came from 26-7 down to beat Stewart’s Melville to win 28-26 and then defeated Heriot’s and Kelso.
Hawick hit back in the final after falling 14-0 behind after two minutes to touch downs from Mike Ker and Guy Hills.
John Coutts and Neil Renwick were on target. However, early second half-tries from Eddie Howe and Ally Rowe ended the Borders challenge and further scores came from Eddie Howe, Rowe Hills and Sorbie with Renwick getting a third Hawick try.
Watsonians had been well tested by Gala before Dougie Brown’s late score settled.
Melrose fielded a few regulars for the first time, but lost to Watsonians while Jed were relieved after Haddington missed a penalty with the last kick to knock out the hosts in round one.
Selkirk beat Boroughmuir 27-17 with Fraser Harkness, Eddie Gauche, Gavin Craig, Darling and Rory Alglen the scorers to clinch the Kings championship before going out to Kelso.
So the curtain came down on a long, hard sevens season - the pro boys have it easy in comparison – but as John Davidson, Jed president, said at the end of the tournament: “The Kings of the Sevens are so important and what a great advert for Borders rugby.”
First round
Hawick YM 5, Peebles 17; Jed-Forest 19, Haddington 17; Edinburgh Accies 14, Gala 29; Watsonians 21, Melrose 5; Berwick 5, Kelso 39; Selkirk 27, Boroughmuir 17; Heriot’s 26, Langholm 10; Hawick 28, Stewart’s Melville 26.
Second round
Peebles 5, Jed-Forest 21; Gala 17, Watsonians 22; Kelso 19, Selkirk 12; Heriot’s 10, Hawick 39.
Semi-finals
Jed-Forest 19, Watsonians 26; Kelso 10, Hawick 24.
Final
Watsonians 45, Hawick 17
Watsonians: A. Rowe, A. Skeen, M. Ker, E. Howe, G. Hills, G. Brown, D. Brown, C. Sorbie, G. Somerville, J. Blackwood.
Hawick: G. Thomson, J. Coutts, N. Renwick, B. Sutherland, C. Laidlaw, M. Robertson, Z. Bruce, S. Anderson, A, Fraser, K. Davies.
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