Full-strength Melrose warm to their task and shine in Kelso sun

Published on Sunday 1 May 2011 15:03

KELSO voted the historic switch of their Maxwell Motors Sevens tournament to the spring a great success after more than 1,500 people trooped into Poynder Park on Saturday to savour sevens in the sun.

The club has struggled with its traditional autumn event in recent years, with more clubs turning down invitations and crowds falling into the hundreds. So, along with fellow autumn hosts Selkirk, the Kelso club took the decision last year to join the Borders spring circuit for the first time since launching its sevens in September, 1920.

Tournament organiser Scott Forbes said: "It was a good first tournament in the spring for us because we weren't sure how it would go down. With Richie Gray's live bands and entertainment into the early hours the whole day went well.

"It took a lot of work as sevens do and I'd like to thank all the volunteers who helped, and the weather helped too. It has definitely given us something very positive to build on next year."

Though some clubs still failed to make it due to too many tired players at this stage of the season, the sun brought out the crowds and the tries, and a few surprises. The host club put up a decent fight too, which always helps, winning their first two ties of the sevens season before bowing to the might of current BSPC Kings of the Sevens leaders Jed-Forest in the first of the semi-finals.

But Jed seemed to have used up all of their fighting spirit in that tie with their old rivals as they were royally thumped in the final by Melrose. Back with a full team on the circuit after their Scottish Cup, Premier One and Border League exertions, 'Rose dug deep into their fitness reserves to come through close encounters that could have gone either way with Watsonians, Edinburgh University and Edinburgh Accies - who had a bye due to Biggar's no-show - and then crushed Selkirk 33-0 before finding another gear to post a stunning 57-7 win over Jed-Forest.

Jamie Murray, whose try won the semi-final, admitted afterwards that the team had surprised themselves. An unsung hero of their side for many years, Murray said: "Wednesday night's Border League Final with Selkirk was a very physical game and it took a lot out of us, and I think we saw that in the early ties. Watsonians, the Uni and Accies all played some good stuff and we just didn't quite find our game, but we showed in the final the value of keeping hold of the ball. Jed are a very good seven and they still lead the 'Kings' table, and they will come back from this, but we didn't allow them any possession and we have some great finishers in the team."The most obvious of those was "Mr Anderson", a design and technology teacher at Kelso High School, aka Melrose flyer Callum Anderson who got his angles spot-on to score four tries in the final, shrieked on by delighted pupils.

His fellow speedster Allan Dodds had started the rout with an early brace, before Gregor Young grabbed Jed's score, and then claimed his hat-trick in starting the second half scoring, while Fraser Thomson and John Dalziel delighted the 'Rose support - as well as the large contingent from their hometown Gala behind the posts - by dotting down, deepening Jed's humiliation.

The work of Murray, Graeme Dodds, Dalziel and Grant Runciman, in particular, in securing and moving ball was a key facet, while the slick passing of Scott McCormick, Scott Wight and Craig Jackson regularly turned the mere flicker of an opportunity into scores.

Murray added: "I think we have players who just love sevens and that's probably where the energy came from in the final. Our coaches and fitness coach Bill Noble do a fantastic job through the season, and it's tough but this is where it pays off.

"It was fantastic to win the league and that memory will never fade, but it's great now to get some freedom, be able to show your skills in space and score tries. I know we have a lot of rugby now but sevens is a huge development tool for young players particularly. This is where your skills get exposed and you learn quickly about the work you have to put into your fitness and skills to be successful at the top level.

"It's also great socially, for players and supporters. It is hard work with back-to-back tournaments, but Kelso and Earlston are great on May Day weekend and thankfully we have just Saturdays to finish at Selkirk and Jed.

"This is the best sevens squad I've played in and we want to win the 'Kings' title again. It's going to be really tough because Jed are still in pole position and out for revenge now, but we'll battle for it." lMelrose moved to within two points of BSPC Kings of the Sevens leaders Jed-Forest yesterday by adding the Rutherford Seat Earlston Sevens to their haul.

Continuing from where they left off at Kelso on Saturday, Melrose cruised through the early rounds at a sun-kissed Haugh with wins over Duns, Earlston and Hawick without really seeming to get out of second gear.In the final, they roared into a 28-0 lead after just seven minutes, and though Watsonians scored twice through Scotland sevens cap Andrew Skeen, six tries shared between Jamie Murray, Callum Anderson, Allan Dodds and John Dalziel ensured a comfortable 42-12 win for Melrose.

Jed had suffered another disappointing day going down to Watsonians, the Edinburgh club finally finding their feet with an impressive squad, but Jed remain the Kings leaders with two tournaments to go.

The teams head to Selkirk on Saturday and finish the BSPC Kings series at Jed-Forest on 14 May with Jed now on 50 points and 'Rose just two points behind. Selkirk lie in third place on 40 points and Hawick are in fourth with 27.

Melrose claimed the crown last season by winning the last four tournaments and are threatening to do the same again.