WATSONIANS stayed on course to retain their Kings of the Sevens title when they won their fifth tournament out of six at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Sevens on Saturday at Milntown.

But Melrose won many plaudits for a performance that spoke volumes for the club, which on the same day was lifting the BT Cup at Murrayfield.

And while it might have been Silver Saturday at the national stadium, it was a Golden Day at the Langholm for Watsonians, who were able to field two sides such is their numbers game.

“Melrose beat a strong Hawick team in the semi-final, but the final was probably one too far for them. It is a testament to Melrose that they have not had their best team out yet, but they are only 19 points behind us,” said Watsonians coach Mike Ker.

He added: “They are a real credit to the club.”

However, Ker, after Watsonians defeated Melrose 34-0 in the final, said that the club was taking nothing for granted with four sevens left to play.

“It is the consistency and the teamwork, and the fact that we have 20 players to choose from, that makes the difference,” he said. “Wins breeds confidence, but hats off to Melrose for getting to the final.”

It was the club’s first success at Langholm after finishing runners-up in the past two seasons as they beat Melrose following wins over Gala, Hawick Force and Selkirk. Despite injuries, the victors fielded two squads after Kelso pulled out to show their strength in depth.

Watsonians controlled the first half against a young Melrose side with tries from Willie Thomson, Rory Steele and Mike Fedo.

It was one-way traffic after the interval as Scott McKean, Steele and Thomson ran in further scores.

Melrose grew in stature in every tie, and their win over Hawick was significant with tries from Adam Hall and Craig Fairbairn.

The Archie Smith Memorial Trophy was won by Watsonians captain, Ewan Miller.

The sevens circuit now moves on to Kelso and Earlston this weekend with Watsonians leading the table on 53 points, with Melrose next on 34.

First round: Selkirk 22, Watsonians B 17 (after extra time); Peebles 10, Powerbombs 31; Gala 5, Watsonians 33; Hawick Linden 12, Hawick Force 26; Border Park 5, Melrose 22; Earlston 7, Langholm 19; Hawick 19, Edinburgh Accies 17; Austin Friars FP 7, Jed-Forest 41.

Second round: Selkirk 26, Powerbombs 12; Watsonians 31, Hawick Force 0; Melrose 26, Langholm 7; Hawick 34, Jed-Forest 12.

Semi-finals: Selkirk 14, Watsonians 29; Melrose 21, Hawick 14.

Final: Watsonians 34, Melrose 0.

Watsonians: C. McKill, E. Miller, M. Fedo, W. Thomson, A. Harris, R. Steele, S. McKean, C. Scott, J. Ferguson, M. Bertram.

Melrose: B. McLean, C. Fairbairn, J. Dobie, T. Klein, H. Robinson, R. Sharp, M. Klein, G. McWilliams, L Reid, A. Hall.