MELROSE Storm were worthy winners of the John Laing 7s played at Poynder Park on Tuesday evening.

In the final they faced a Kelso side that had played some very good rugby in their first two matches but appeared to run out of steam in the final.

Storm won the final by 45 points to five.

Melrose opened up in round 1 against a strong Jed Forest side and it was a very cagey affair with Melrose winning 26-5.

They then had a good old Derby clash with Gala in their semi-final but they were too strong for the men from Netherdale and won the tie by 24-10.

Kelso overcame a dogged Peebles side in round 1 by 22-19 and had a very close affair with Selkirk in the semi-final, but managed to hold on at the end to win 24-21.

Captain Richard Mill collected the John Laing trophy from Diane Laing and the cup goes back to the Greenyards.