The Crusaders ended Islay Star’s dominance in the competition by defeating them 17-12 in a replay of last year’s final. A late try from Dougie Gray proved the difference between the two sides.

The event, which was played on the Annay Road pitch, acted as a curtainraiser to the 124th Melrose Sevens on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Tynedale won the Plate competition after defeating RC Nyon, 29-7 in the final. And Charity Sporting Prints Rugby Legends won the Bowl after edging out hosts Melrose 26-14 Melrose Head Coach John Dalziel and his assistant Rob Chrystie both featured in Melrose Vets team.

However, there were to be no last minute additions to the side to play in the Sevens the following day.

Dalziel said: “It was good to get the boots back on. I thought it would be easier than it was. But it was great, there was a great crowd as well.

“Credit to the older boys because they did alright. I only stopped playing a year ago and I felt that was really hard - four games, 80 minutes of rugby, it was quite full on.

“That was the first time I had played 10s. I’ve watched it for years and it’s getting bigger and bigger each year.” Runners-up Islay Star, which is made up of a mixture of players from Galashiels and the Hebridean Island, included current Gala first team stars Opeta Palepoi and Tom Weir in their side.

However, they were unable to retain the trophy they had previously won two years in a row.

Palepoi, who at 38 was the youngest player in the Islay Star side, said: “That’s my first involvement in this tournament and it was hard going. I’m the youngest member of the squad so they kind of looked at me to do things. Some of the lads haven’t been playing contact rugby for a long time so they enjoyed scratching each other.” Melrose Minis won their matches over Percy Park. The results of the matches, which were played just before the finals at the vets tournament on Friday, were as follows - P6: Melrose 8, Percy Park 1; P7: Melrose 3, Percy Park 1.