Coach's tactics spot on as hosts emulate predecessors in Greenyards sun

A Melrose team that has grown in stature, learned from defeats in recent years and was intent on revenge against Hamilton Sea Point from South Africa , and produced some sublime sevens rugby to delight the 10,000-plus crowd.

At a time when Scottish rugby is wrestling with the difficulties of attracting supporters at club rugby, professional games and the international arena, and pitching volleys at broadcasters, the world's oldest sevens tournament shone a light on much that is good about the game. Supporters came from near and far, 20 or so parading in Brazilian football strips, a similar crowd in Star Wars stormtrooper outfits, embracing the tournament's 70s theme; the BBC radio and television cameras were there, Radio Borders broadcast its eight-hour live rugby marathon; the teams showed Scottish rugby at its best.

New Zealand outfit Waikato had even paid their own way to take part, but boasted a clutch of the New Zealand Provincial Sevens Champion team from 2010, and their semi-final meeting with the reigning champions from Hamilton was an engrossing battle. Finishing 17-5, it was the lowest-scoring tie of the day, but possibly produced more big hits to delight the crowd than points.

But what moved the crowd into full voice was the form of the Scottish teams on show, Melrose being well supported by Jed-Forest, Glasgow Hawks and Dundee in particular. Glasgow full-back Stuart Hogg also underlined his quality in Hawick's colours, albeit mainly in defence - one counted eight try-saving tackles in two ties, and two which turned Gala chances into Hawick tries - while Peter Horne starred in Dundee's team and then Jed's, and the pace of Kerr and Craig Gossman, the brothers claiming seven tries apiece, with the guile of Mike Adamson and strength of Ross Miller, lit up Hawks' play. The newly-formed Hong Kong Scottish also turned in a good display, beating Boroughmuir before losing to a Jed team inspired by Darren Gillespie.

Melrose and Hamilton, however, were a cut above the rest, as the mercury pushed above 24C. The hosts sensed a chance with a first draw that kept them apart from the favourites for some years, and they stormed through their half with victories over Border rivals Hawick, Selkirk and Jed-Forest, posting 106 points with the loss of just 31.

The South Africans managed just 83 points for, but they eased off in the second half of each win over Stewart's Melville, Heriot's and Waikato, the Kiwis doing their best, however, in the second semi-final to tenderise the South Africans for Melrose.

Hamilton had a terrific side built around big ball-carrier Benny Adams and playmaker Jandre du Plessis, and were blessed with genuine speed across the squad.So, Melrose had to be as good as any Melrose side to have won this cup in the past if they were to prevail.

And on the day there were. Tactically, they were spot-on, coach Craig Chalmers agreeing with his forwards coach John Dalziel to go with two big forwards in Dalziel and Graeme Dodds, and the pair proving crucial to Melrose securing ball. If skipper Wight's kicking is an art, then Dalziel, at 33, is a master of receiving restarts and he claimed ball back on numerous occasions with bull-like charges and athletic leaps into the air.

Chalmers also started Fraser Thomson, his top-scoring winger, on the bench, explaining afterwards that was because Callum Anderson, an under-rated winger, "has a bigger engine". Engines are vital in sevens and Anderson duly repaid the coach by turning the final in Melrose's favour with tries either side of half-time that took the hosts into the lead for the first time at 19-14.

Wight had shown his deceiving turn of pace to keep Melrose in touch, Hamilton scoring through Terry Jacobs and Jeffrey Williams in the first half, and the skipper got the crucial next touchdown after Anderson's second-half score to open up a 12-point gap.

The tension was palpable around the ground at this stage, every pair of eyes seemingly transfixed on the battle between the pride of Scottish sevens and the confident South African muscle.

There was no doubting their loyalties, either, with every Hamilton knock-on being met by a cheer as loud as those for slick Melrose off-loads. When Alshaun Bock, the Hamilton captain, then scored his 11th try of the day - he promised beforehand he would beat last year's tally of six - a nervousness descended.

But the atmosphere exploded skywards again when Allan Dodds broke off another fine attack to touch down. It was too much for Du Plessis, who, for the second time in the game, tried to stop the try by lunging a boot at the scorer, and he and Dodds came to blows.

Du Plessis spent the rest of the final in the sin-bin, and Melrose held on with grim determination. A try by Janno van Zyl, converted by Bock, brought the scores closer, but when referee David Changleng blew for full-time the piercing sound ignited great scenes of joy, a pitch invasion and a party in Melrose unlikely to be forgotten for some time.

Collecting the Ladies Centenary Cup, Wight said: "I have dreamt of this moment for a long, long time and it is great reward to this great squad and all who have supported us." Anton Moolman, the Hamilton coach, added: "It was a great honour to win the cup last year and we are delighted to have reached the final again.

"The boys are very down, but there is no disgrace in losing to a side like Melrose. They deserved to win; they played a great brand of rugby.

"But this has been a great experience for us and we'd like to thank Melrose, and the Scottish people for welcoming us.We will remember this for the rest of our lives."

One suspects it must also have left a favourable impression on two other spectators, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore and Sir Moir Lockhead, the incoming SRU chairman, who will take over from Allan Munro and begin the task this summer of helping to steer Scottish rugby to better fortunes. Scottish rugby still has much to be proud of.

FINAL

Melrose: J Dalziel, J Murray, G Dodds, S McCormick, S Wight (capt), A Dodds, C Anderson, G Runciman, F Thomson, C Jackson.

Hamilton: W van der Wal, D Robertson, B Adams, E Seconds, J Williams, J du Plessis, M du Toit, A Bock, J van Zyl, T Jacobs.

Referee: D Changleng.