IT may have been 16 years since Gala last lifted The Ladies Centenary Cup at the home of their fiercest rivals, Melrose.

But they’ve had a hand in the last two.

Glasgow Warriors Head Coach Gregor Townsend, the former Gala and Scotland captain, watched from the sidelines on Saturday as his team successfully defended the Melrose Sevens trophy they won for the first time last year.

However, after sinking Dundee in the first round, they had to negotiate tricky ties against Gala and Jed-Forest to set-up a compelling final against Germany.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph pitchside after the full-time whistle Townsend, who first won the Cup with a Co-optimists side alongside Doddie Weir and Andy Nicol in 1993, said: “We appreciate this tournament and to play in it is such a privilege.

“For the players who don’t often get this opportunity, that came from maybe city clubs or overseas, it’s a special tournament and we’re delighted to have come here and won it again.

“Niko Matawalu has been asking me the last two seasons if he can play in this tournament and he has loved it.” But he added: “The semi-final against Jed was so tough and coming back from Germany going ahead, I thought we played better as each game went on. They (Warriors team) showed their fitness and were still looking to play at the end.” Warriors included former Gala player Gregor Hunter in their squad for his first taste of rugby in 19 months following injury.

They also drafted in former Scotland Sevens star Gregor Young, from Jed-Forest, for the final after Rory Hughes was injured knocking his side out of the semi-final.

And, after coming on as a second half replacement, he went on to score two match winning tries.

“It was unfortunate for Rory Hughes because he’s been excellent at the last two Melrose Sevens tournaments and his quad cramped up in that semi,” Townsend explained. “But it was good to have Gregor (Young) who knows our players. He’s played for us in a back up game already this year and he’s been involved in the Scotland Sevens set-up so it was great that he got those two tries.” And he added: “That was Gregor Hunter’s first game of rugby in 19 months today and he has won a Melrose Sevens medal so that’s fantastic.” The last Melrose captain to lift the Ladies Cup, Scott Wight, now involved with the Scotland Sevens side, and his former Warriors teammate, Stuart Hogg, from Hawick, were on hand to congratulate the winners at the full-time whistle.

Warriors captain James Eddie said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic day. The guys really fronted up, they played some really good rugby.

“We had a wee slip-up and Jed pushed us hard but it was really good to come out on top. It was a fantastic atmosphere and it was good that the rain stayed off for a fantastic day.

“Whenever you hear about Sevens in Scotland everyone thinks of Melrose so to win it two years in a row is absolutely unbelieveable.” When asked if the club would be back to defend the trophy next year - not since Kelso in 1986 has a team won the Melrose Sevens three years in a row - Eddie added: “I don’t know if we’re allowed, but hopefully.”