Earlston Sevens: Three-in-a-row puts Melrose in the driving seat

THE Kings of the Sevens series on the Borders rugby circuit will go down to the wire at the final tournament on Saturday at Jedburgh.

Melrose head the table with 43 points followed by Kelso and Selkirk on 41 and Jed- Forest 39 after the Greenyards club won their third tournament in a row when they defeated Selkirk 36-17 in the final yesterday of the Earlston Sevens.

Melrose, winners at Peebles and Gala, atoned for defeats in two successive finals (national and Border League) and turned round a 19-5 deficit at the break with two tries from Allan Dodds and one by Craig Jackson with Fraser Harkness replying for Selkirk.

Brothers Graham and Allan Dodds and Jamie Murray added further scores with Gavin Craig and Lee Jones replying for Selkirk.

Allan Dodds, scorer of eight tries, collected the Player of the Tournament award.

Just a day earlier, Melrose had claimed a first win at the Sykes sponsored Gala Sevens for ten years.

Craig Chalmers' side earned the crown after a thumping 33-10 victory over Edinburgh Accies.

However, coach Chalmers admitted: "It is great to win, but it is no consolation for losing in the cup matches.

"But our boys showed a lot of character. Our hunger was out standing and our workload impressive."

Melrose built up a 19-0 interval lead with two Scott Wight tries and one from Craig Jackson. Jamie Murray and John Dalziel scored after the break with Tom Brown and Tom Drennan replying for Accies.