Melrose stay ahead of the race with 28 points after a win at the Hawick Sevens on Saturday while Gala clinched the Berwick Sevens, defeating Jed-Forest in the final, and are now only eight points adrift.

Gala coach, Peter Dods, said that he was delighted for his players after scoring six tries for a 36-14 victory. “I am absolutely thrilled for the guys, and I made four changes from Hawick as it is asking a lot for players to play two tournaments in two days,” he said.

“The boys enjoyed it and hope to move on to Langholm and do the same there. We have a good squad of boys which we use sensibly at weekends. And, of course, we are back here for the Border League final (against Melrose) on Wednesday night and we rested a few boys for that game too.” The battle of the Young brother was the highlight of the final with Gregor scoring two tries to add to those of Gavin Young (2), Craig Russell and Jamie Parker with Craig Dods kicking the points.

Jed replied through Sean Goodfellow and Lewis Young, but in the end, it was no contest as Gala took total control with Parker twice stopping Lewis Young in his tracks.

But at the Berwick event, played in misty, cold conditions, Melrose were dumped aside by Selkirk, who in turn lost by one point to Gala. A late penalty (drop at goal) from Ewan Scott was enough to see off Selkirk despite a Scott Hendrie try.

Against Melrose, Fraser Harkness was the key performer and Melrose could hit back with only a Callum Anderson try.

The series continues at Langholm on Saturday and Peebles the following day with everything to play for in the final weeks of the season.

Results - First round: Gala 26, Morpeth 12; Northumberland 0, Watsonians 38; Hawick Harlequins 0, Selkirk 50; Edinburgh Accies 12, Melrose 14; Berwick 5, Alnwick 26; Edinburgh University 26, Hawick 22; Kelso 19, Peebles 28; Jed-Forest 31, Trinidad 5.

Second round: Gala 19, Watsonians 15; Selkirk 29, Melrose 7; Alnwick 14, Edinburgh University 22; Peebles 0, Jed-Forest 22. Semi-finals: Gala 20, Selkirk 19; Edinburgh University 26, Jed-Forest 42. Final: Gala 36, Jed-Forest 14.