GALA YM won the Walkerburn Sevens for the first time in 16 years at the weekend.

They defeated a young Melrose Storm side, 17-7, in the final in front of a bumper crowd at a sun-kissed Caberston Haugh on Saturday.

Their tries came from captain Craig Borthwick, Keith Young, and Dean Keddie, who also added a conversion.

Ewan Runciman did pull a score back for Melrose, which was converted by George Taylor, but they were outmuscled by a YM side which also included Scottish Cup winner Craig Keddie and Samoan star Opeta Palepoi.

Speaking after being presented with the winners’ trophy, Borthwick, a first team regular who missed much of the season through injury, said: “We’ve put a squad out which should have won it on paper but we had some good sides to beat on the day and we got there and we played better rugby as the day went on.

“There are a lot of young boys who have stepped up, we’ve had tough times (with injuries) this season, and these young lads who have played when boys like myself have been injured will have learnt a lot from it and they will be raring to go when we start preseason in a few weeks.” Gala YM, beaten finalists last year, had to dispose of Royal Dick Veterinary College, an Occasionals squad, and Peebles - who have won the tournament three years in a row - to reach the final this year. They last won the tournament in 1999.

Meanwhile, Melrose Storm, who drafted in Walkerburn’s Ryan Renwick to their squad for the final, had to see off competition from Duns, Walkerburn and Murrayfield Wanderers.

Before the final, the crowd rose to their feet for a minute’s applause in memory of Honorary President Jeremy Ballantyne and former player Callum Mackay - both staunch supporters of the club.

Reflecting on the day, YM’s Rex Jeffrey, who was named Player of the Tournament, said: “I came last year and we got beat in the final so it’s good to come back and finally get a win.

“The boys did well, there was another few in there who could have won this (Player of the Tournament) award. We have just been thrown together, there’s not many Sevens players here I might add, so we’re delighted to get the trophy.” Former Gala player Craig Keddie, who signed for Boroughmuir last summer, admitted he was delighted to be awarded another medal to add to his collection after helping his new club lift the BT Cup at Murrayfield last month.

However, despite playing as a guest for the YM on Saturday, he revealed he has no immediate plans to return to Netherdale.

When asked how it felt to be back playing in a Gala shirt, Craig Keddie said: “It’s really good, I’ve enjoyed playing with some of my mates again. We’ve had a good day out and got the job done. I was quite pleased to be part of it, it was enjoyable.

“Melrose had a young side out today and they were really impressive throughout the tournament. They came up short in the final but you can see they’ve got some quality Sevens players in there. It was a bit of a stuffy final but I think we probably deserved to win in the end.” But he added: “I’m definitely staying at Boroughmuir next season, I’ve enjoyed my time there and I have no plans to play anywhere else. We’re looking to kick on in the league next season, our aim will be to try to break in to the top four with the play-off system and build on the success of our Cup final.” Selkirk and Edinburgh University pulled out. But organisers insisted this year’s Walkerburn Sevens had been a huge success.

David Preacher, President of Walkerburn Rugby Club, said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. The weather makes it and we’ve been so lucky.

“We have 200 sponsors, which is a record for the club, and it looks like the gate is up as well, so it’s been a bumper Sevens for us.

“Everybody talks about the 'Burn Sevens and the hospitality, it’s just a friendly Sevens; we try to cater for everybody and it’s a lovely setting.

“And there has been some really good rugby this year with some fantastic teams which just makes the day.

“Gala came with a good seven last year as well and got beat in the final by Peebles but managed to win it this year. That seven there would do well in any tournament.

“And I think the oldest Melrose player there was 21-years-old. It was a really good final and a fitting end to the day for us.” Walkerburn is the last Sevens tournament on the calendar and marks the end of the rugby season.

However, with the community rallying round in support of their club in recent years, it bodes well for the future, with their annual dinner on June 6 already sold out.

“We’ve had a revamp in the club and the Sevens goes a long way to keeping us going for the season so it’s important to get it right,” Preacher explained, thanking everyone for their support.

“But the club this year have really went up a notch. There’s a small team that all pull together and it wouldn’t be possible without these guys, there’s so much hard work goes into it.

“And it’s been like that all season. Also the players, we’ve had 30 players who have not cried off a game which has been a problem (in the past) so there is a real buzz about the place and we’re looking to build on that for next year. Walkerburn Rugby Club is on the up.” Walkerburn Sevens results - Round one: Presidents Select 14-33 Earlston; Ross High 19-24 Murrayfield Wands; Melrose Storm 31-12 Duns; Haddington 12-21 Walkerburn; Gala YM 40-5 RDVC; The Rebels 5-47 Occasionals; Peebles 29-5 Jed-Forest; Preston Lodge 22-17 Lasswade.

Quarter-finals: Earlston 7-29 Murrayfield Wands; Melrose Storm 33-5 Walkerburn; Gala YM 29-7 Occasionals; Peebles 31-7 Preston Lodge. Semi-finals: Murrayfield Wands 0-34 Melrose Storm; Gala YM 31-5 Peebles. Final: Melrose Storm 7-17 Gala YM.

Gala YM: Craig Keddie, Fraser Hunter, Craig Borthwick, Ewan Gunter, Dean Keddie, Rex Jeffrey, Keith Young, Opeta Palepoi, Martin Christie, Inock Knocks.