MELROSE just fell short of snatching the Kings of the Sevens title after beating rivals Watsonians in the final of the Jed-Forest tournament on Saturday.

But coach Rob Chrystie was quick to play down that his side had to field several inexperienced players in a number of the 10 tournaments due to league and cup commitments.

“The boys are totally committed to the rugby, and it has been a great season.

"They were outstanding in the final.

"The season goes on a bit, but we have good talented young players and they get their chance,” he said.

“A lot of the young boys who stepped in got to a final and did well elsewhere. That was not the reason we did not get over the line.

“The season does go on a bit and that is part of it, but we have a lot of good talented young players.”

Both Watsonians and Melrose believe that the sevens are a key way of developing players.

With coaches Andrew and Mike Ker absent due to other business, Watsonians team manager David Harris said: “The standard of the top teams is improving, but they are not able to always get main players, but it is a great way to develop them.

“The standard was high at Jed, but we just did not get going in the final. You cannot make mistakes against Melrose.

“That’s two Kings in a row and we will be back. We love it down here. We just wish that teams would get the time to play, but for whatever reason, they cannot get that.”

Watsonians clinched the championship following their opening win over Gala put them out of reach of nearest challengers Melrose, who finished only four points (71) behind the winners (75).

The Greenyards team enjoyed victories at Kelso, Earlston and Jed after Watsonians had previously won five tournaments with Jed-Forest and Selkirk winning the two others. .

Melrose led 17-0 at the break in the final with two tries from Ross McCann and one by Lucas Reid.

Craig Jackson scored on the restart as Watsonians felt the effects of a gruelling semi against the hosts, before Willie Thomson and Bruce Colvine exchanged tries.

In the first of the semis, Melrose had defeated Edinburgh Accies while Watsonians ousted Jed-Forest when Ali Harris’ last-kick conversion went over after hitting the post.

First round: Heriot’s 43, Hawick 14; Melrose 31, Musselburgh 5; Langholm 21, Hamilton 39; Edinburgh Accies 22, Kelso 19; Heart and Balls 36, Peebles 5; Watsonians 35, Gala 5; Jed-Forest 42, President’s V11 21; Selkirk 24, Berwick 10.

Second round: Heriot’s 21, Melrose 35; Hamilton 12, Edinburgh Accies 43; Heart and Balls 5, Watsonians 31; Jed-Forest 41, Selkirk 5.

Semi-finals: Melrose 41, Edinburgh Accies 14; Watsonians 17, Jed-Forest 15.

Final: Melrose 33, Watsonians 5.

Melrose: G. Wood, B. Colvine, A. Hall, S. Hutchison, C. Jackson, R. McCann, L. Reid, C. Fairbairn, G. Spencer (Edinburgh Accies, replaced injured Finlay Bloomfield), M. Klein.