Last week the Border Telegraph reported that the future of the oldest established rugby union league in the world had been thrown into doubt after Kelso and Jed were unable to raise a team to play their remaining Pool A matches against the Maroons.

Gala will now line-up against Melrose in the final of the Border League at Berwick next Wednesday, April 23, kick-off 6.30pm - despite only finishing second in their group, four points behind Hawick.

When asked what he thought about the decision this week, Leck told the Border Telegraph: “I think it’s pathetic, personally. But it’s one of those things - that’s what they’ve decided and I can’t change that.” Last month, Gala beat Hawick 33-13 in their only Border League match this season.

But a victory over Melrose in the final would give them their third consecutive win in the competition, having previously been presented with the trophy in 2012 and 2013.

And it would go some way to making up for the disappointment of losing the Scottish championship to Melrose on the final day of the season.

Reflecting on side’s performance at the Sevens on Saturday, Gala’s rising star Gregor Mein said: “It was pretty disappointing. Hawick just took all the ball and played the game that we didn’t really want them to play. We just couldn’t live with them.” But he added: “It was a great experience. We have got the Border League final in Berwick, I think we’ll get back into 15s training this week for that, and then hopefully get one over on Melrose after what’s happened at the end of the 15s season.” Hawick defeated Gala 17-12 in the first round proper of the 124th Melrose Sevens, after disposing of Howe of Fife, 22-12, in the preliminary round. However, they were eventually knocked out the competition at the quarter final stage after losing 28-10 to hosts Melrose, the reigning Kings of the Sevens champions.

The competition, which was played in front of a crowd over more than 10,000 spectators in Melrose, as well as being broadcast live to millions more watching on television around the world, was won by pro side Glasgow Warriors.

Leck said: “The Melrose Sevens is massive. The players have been looking forward to it all year. There are some lads here who are made for Sevens so from their point of view this is their showcase and it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

“We just didn’t defend in the first half against Melrose. The long rest between matches seemed to affect us more than them. They came out of the blocks and scored a couple of good, quick tries and, after that, we were playing catch up rugby.” But he added: “Since I’ve started coaching Hawick I’ve been coming here and not getting past the first round, to get to the quarters is one better so I’m happy enough. We’ll crack on and try to do better next year.”