IT was an unusual day off the field for the Hawick Sevens on Saturday at Mansfield Park as unbroken sunshine allowed the crowds to bask on the embankment.

They and Hawick deserved such a day, which saw the tournament decimated by league matches and yet another threat to the Borders sevens circuit.

Hawick changed the format to a Borders Festival of Rugby with ladies and youths tournaments with welcome sponsorship from the BSW Timber Group.

On the field, it was business as usual as Watsonians added to its successes at Peebles and Melrose.

But coach Andrew Ker admitted the club had a bit of help on the way.

The Kings of the Sevens holders played only three ties after Peebles withdrew and Heriot’s, beaten finalists by 29-19, had two players, Struan Dewar and Tom Wilson, sent to the sin-bin by referee Ross Mabon.

“We need a wee bit luck,” said Ker.

“That’s three wins this season, and there is no point in just winning Melrose. This is as good a day (weather) as we have had at Hawick in a number of years. The boys are keen and want to go on and win as many tournaments as possible.”

It was Watsonians’ first Hawick success since 2004, and their captain, Ewan Miller, picked up the Player-of-the-Tournament award.

They led 19-5 at the interval in the final with tries from Scott McKean, Mike Fedo and Charlie McKill, with Donald Crawford replying for Heriot’s.

Crawford went on to collect a hat-trick of tries, but with two Heriot’s players yellow-carded, they could not stop McKill and Ali Harris clinching the cup.

Both sides won their semi-finals by the same 24-21 scoreline.

Heriot’s came from behind with tries by Ross Jones, Crawford and Callum Marshall, with Bruce Colvine and Struan Hutchison keeping a depleted Melrose side in the hunt

It took a late score from McKill to edge Watsonians home after Boroughmuir had led three times in their tie.

Now the Borders clubs will be looking to get back on the winning trail despite Saturday being cup finals day at Murrayfield.

Results:

First round: Melrose 40, Kelso 7; Heriot’s 26, Berwick 12; Edinburgh Accies 5, Hawick 36; Watsonian bye, Peebles withdrew; Jed-Forest 14, Hawick Force 22; Hawick Linden 7, Gala 22.

Second round: Selkirk 7, Melrose 45; Heriot’s 26, Hawick 14; Watsonians 35, Hawick Force 0; Gala 5, Boroughmuir 36.

Semi-finals: Melrose 21, Heriot’s 24; Watsonians 24, Boroughmuir 21.

Final: Heriot’s 19, Watsonians 29.

Watsonians: E. Fox, A. Davidson, J. Miller, S. McKean, W. Thomson, A. Harris, J. Ferguson, M. Fedo, E. Miller, C. McKill.