MELROSE broke the club’s duck in the Kings of the Sevens’ series on Saturday at Poynder Park, but it is unlikely to be enough for the team to retain the championship.

In an all-Borders’ final of the Lloyd Land Rover sponsored-tournament, Melrose beat Gala, the Kings leaders at the end of the day, by by 24-17 thanks to a late Richard Mill try.

“It will be a big ask (to win the title again),” said stalwart Graeme Dodds. “It was a hard afternoon and Gala are a good side.

“It was great to have a strong squad competing again, but we face a tough finish if Gala does not collapse. But we do want to get silverware again.” Melrose, who retained the cup in its 16th success at the event, now only two wins behind leaders Kelso, had reason to celebrate when the Player-of-the-Tournament, awarded by the media, went to George Taylor.

But there was disappointment when Fraser Thomson had to leave the field with a head knock in the final.

In a tight contest, Calum Anderson put Melrose ahead before tries by Gavin Young and Graham Speirs gave Gala, who replaced Hawick’s Matty Douglas for the injured Scott Wilkinson, a 10-5 half-time lead. A try and conversion by Mill put Melrose back in front, and scores by Anderson and Mill sealed the trophy despite a Craig Robertson try.

In the first of the semi-finals, it took an extra-time try from Thomson to ease Melrose, who had led 19-0 at one stage, to overcome a stuffy Edinburgh Accies side.

Two earlier tries from Thomson and one by Mill put Melrose in the driving seat before Jamie Winks, Ruaridh Young and Jamie Sole levelled the scores only for Thomson’s pace to prove to be the crucial factor in the only tie to go to extra-time.

Gala swept Hawick side apart after the Greens had cut the lead to 14-12. But Gala stepped up a gear in the last quarter with tries from Jamie Parker, Keith Young and Craig Dods.

Melrose: A. Nagle, R. Mill, G.Taylor, A. Lockington, G. Runciman, C. Anderson, F. Thomson, G. Dodds, L. Mallin, L. Riddell.

Gala: S. Cairns, F. Hunter, S. Wilkinson (M. Douglas final), C. Dods, R. Jeffrey, G. Speirs, J. Parker, G. Young, C. Robertson, K. Young.

Results - First round: Melrose 43; Stewart’s Melville 0; Peebles 5, Kelso 19; Jed-Forest 54; President’s Select 0; Edinburgh Accies 36, Langholm 0; 1st Scots 14, Hawick 24; Lasswade 0, Selkirk 45; Watsonians 27, Berwick 0; Gala 33, Edinburgh University 12.

Second round: Melrose 21, Kelso 14; Jed-Forest 15, Edinburgh Accies 24; Hawick 26, Selkirk 14; Watsonians 12, Gala 19.

Semi-finals: Melrose 24, Edinburgh Accies 19 (after extra time); Hawick 12, Gala 33. Final: Melrose 24, Gala 17.

MELROSE broke the club’s duck in the Kings of the Sevens’ series on Saturday at Poynder Park, but it is unlikely to be enough for the team to retain the championship.

In an all-Borders’ final of the Lloyd Land Rover sponsored-tournament, Melrose beat Gala, the Kings leaders at the end of the day, by by 24-17 thanks to a late Richard Mill try.

“It will be a big ask (to win the title again),” said stalwart Graeme Dodds. “It was a hard afternoon and Gala are a good side.

“It was great to have a strong squad competing again, but we face a tough finish if Gala does not collapse. But we do want to get silverware again.” Melrose, who retained the cup in its 16th success at the event, now only two wins behind leaders Kelso, had reason to celebrate when the Player-of-the-Tournament, awarded by the media, went to George Taylor.

But there was disappointment when Fraser Thomson had to leave the field with a head knock in the final.

In a tight contest, Calum Anderson put Melrose ahead before tries by Gavin Young and Graham Speirs gave Gala, who replaced Hawick’s Matty Douglas for the injured Scott Wilkinson, a 10-5 half-time lead. A try and conversion by Mill put Melrose back in front, and scores by Anderson and Mill sealed the trophy despite a Craig Robertson try.

In the first of the semi-finals, it took an extra-time try from Thomson to ease Melrose, who had led 19-0 at one stage, to overcome a stuffy Edinburgh Accies side.

Two earlier tries from Thomson and one by Mill put Melrose in the driving seat before Jamie Winks, Ruaridh Young and Jamie Sole levelled the scores only for Thomson’s pace to prove to be the crucial factor in the only tie to go to extra-time.

Gala swept Hawick side apart after the Greens had cut the lead to 14-12. But Gala stepped up a gear in the last quarter with tries from Jamie Parker, Keith Young and Craig Dods.

Melrose: A. Nagle, R. Mill, G.Taylor, A. Lockington, G. Runciman, C. Anderson, F. Thomson, G. Dodds, L. Mallin, L. Riddell.

Gala: S. Cairns, F. Hunter, S. Wilkinson (M. Douglas final), C. Dods, R. Jeffrey, G. Speirs, J. Parker, G. Young, C. Robertson, K. Young.

Results - First round: Melrose 43; Stewart’s Melville 0; Peebles 5, Kelso 19; Jed-Forest 54; President’s Select 0; Edinburgh Accies 36, Langholm 0; 1st Scots 14, Hawick 24; Lasswade 0, Selkirk 45; Watsonians 27, Berwick 0; Gala 33, Edinburgh University 12.

Second round: Melrose 21, Kelso 14; Jed-Forest 15, Edinburgh Accies 24; Hawick 26, Selkirk 14; Watsonians 12, Gala 19.

Semi-finals: Melrose 24, Edinburgh Accies 19 (after extra time); Hawick 12, Gala 33. Final: Melrose 24, Gala 17.

ALEC Clark emerged as an unlikely hero as he coached Melrose to a double-winning weekend on the Kings of the Sevens circuit at the weekend with victories at Kelso and Earlston.

“I was asked to stand-in for John Dalziel and Rob Chrystie, who were busy at the weekend, and I am delighted with the success of the team, who defeated Gala in both finals,” said the former Melrose star in the sevens and fifteens.

“It could not any better. The attitude and determination of the boys was unbelievable during both days. If we work as hard as that, there will be a chance for us every week.” Clark still feels that winning Kings of the Season is beyond the club as he expects Gala to pick up more points. “It might be too much for us to claw back.

“The ground was wet and the going heavy. The work we put in yesterday (at Kelso) as well was taxing the bodies and the players never gave up.

“We will need to regroup and get ourselves ready to go again (at Selkirk and Hawick).” Fraser Thomson, who got a bad injury at Kelso, but watched the sevens at Earlston, is expected to be back this weekend.

Melrose battled through rain and wind to win at The Haugh for the sixth year in a row with a 24-15 victory over Gala in the final and complete an amazing double.

The holders, who have been understrength in the Kings of the Sevens’ series so far due to league commitments in the last few weeks of the season, followed their win at the Kelso tournament 24 hours earlier, but will be hard-pushed to retain the title with only three tournaments remaining.

Gala, who need 64 points to lift the cup, kept in contention for the title and prize-money to still lead the table by 21 points on 54 from Melrose (33) followed by Jed-Forest and Hawick.

Richard Mill was the hero for Melrose in the final with three tries, three conversions and a penalty to win the Player of the Tournament as they defied Gala on a heavy pitch.

Gala’s tries came from Gavin Young, Graham Speirs and Fraser Hunter.

Both sets of players just ran out of steam at the finish with Melrose edging it in the second dramatic finale in two days.

Earlier, Melrose overcame Duns, Watsonians and Jed and Gala defeated St Boswells, Kelso and Hawick.

Earlston results - First round: Jed-Forest 45, Edinburgh University 5; Selkirk 22, Edinburghj Accies 7; Watsonians 21, Hawick Harlequins 19; Melrose 48, Duns 5; Hawick 29, Peebles 5; Berwick 17, Earlston 7; Kelso 33, Lasswade 0; Gala 33, St Boswells 7. Second round: Jed-Forest 21, Selkirk 5; Watsonians 19, Melrose 26; Hawick 45, Berwick 7; Kelso 0, Gala 28.

Semi-finals: Jed-Forest 17, Melrose 21; Hawick 12, Gala 17. Final: Melrose 24, Gala 15.

Melrose:G. Taylor, C. Anderson, G. Runciman, D. Colvine, R. Mill, A. Lockington, L. Mallen, G. Dodds, G. Wood, L. Riddell/ Gala: S. Cairns, G. Graham, G. Young, C. Dods, D. O’Hagan, G. Speirs, J. Parker, F. Hunter, K. Young, C. Robertson.

THE Border League is the catalyst for the future of club rugby in Scotland, Gregor Townsend told a gathering of Presidents at a special ceremony on Wednesday night at Netherdale.

Townsend, one of Gala’s most famous sons, accepted an invitation to present special ties to all former living Presidents as a mark of their contribution to the oldest rugby union league in the world, now sponsored by Bookers Cash and Carry.

Among those who received ties was current Border League President, Graham Low, of Gala. “We had discussed ideas for some time and the ties reflect the work and dedication they put into the game,” he said.

Townsend added: “The Border League is dear to my heart. “We have got to look after our history. There has been lots of pressure and challenges, especially in amateur rugby, and to still have a league is a great thing.

“When you get Borders derbies, there is interest, intensity, and the local public arguably have not been in a better place for years with four clubs in the Premiership next season.

“Teams like Ayr and the city clubs have resources and are strong in recruitment with the players they bring in, and with players in the top division, there is a clear pathway for them to play at the highest level and stay within the Borders.” On the sevens, he added: “They are very important to the clubs. “They can attract different types of supporters and there is a real buzz about them.

“We are fortunate to have the sevens in the Borders and still to have a circuit here.” However, Townsend played down aspirations of the Borders having a professional side again, mainly on the basis of cost. “Things have changed, and the first time we had a team was when the game went professional,” he said.

“It did not work out for financial reasons. “It would cost millions to have a squad and put an infrastructure together, and I think it would be unlikely (to get a pro side again).

“The levels under the pro teams are very robust, and players can come through a strong club team, and it is very encouraging to see four sides in the Premiership and the best players will come through.” Among others who received ties were Bill Miller (Jed-Forest), 1985; Jim Balmer (Langholm), 1994; Norman Douglas (Selkirk), 1996; Jim Gilchrist (Gala), 1997; Norman Anderson (Kelso), 2000, Allan Beveridge (Peebles) 2003; Jim Greenwood (Berwick), 2005; Bill Murray (Hawick), 2007; and John Reed (Melrose), 2011. The season reflected a very successful one for Borders clubs with Melrose finishing runners-up in the Premiership play-off; Hawick in the same position in the BT Cup; Selkirk winning National League 1 undefeated; St Boswells winning the BT Shield and also East League 2; Berwick East League 1; and success for Gala A in the Reserve League and Border Reserve Cup; and Jed Thistle the Semi-Junior League and a string of success on the junior sevens circuit.

“That is a remarkable achievement from a population of 100,000 people.” Low added.

THE build-up to the 2015 Selkirk Sevens moved up a gear last week, following a cheque presentation to the club by tournament sponsor Lawrie’s Garage.

Part of the Border Motor Group based in St Boswells, Lawrie’s Garage is supporting Selkirk Sevens for the third successive year. Last Thursday at the company’s St Boswells headquarters, Lawrie’s general manager Craig Anderson presented a sponsorship cheque to Rob Forrest, Selkirk RFC’s junior vice-president.

“The club is deeply appreciative of the support given by Lawrie’s Garage to Selkirk Sevens over the past two years,” said Mr Forrest, “and we’re delighted to continue our relationship with the company for a third year.” Mr Anderson added: “The Selkirk tournament is one of the most popular on the Kings of the Sevens circuit, and Lawrie’s believes it can claim to be the ‘Kings of the Sales’. We’re very pleased to be sponsoring Selkirk Sevens once again.” The Selkirk Sevens tournament, sponsored by Lawrie’s Garage, takes place at Philiphaugh on Saturday, May 9 (first tie 2pm).