Hawick 7s: Hat-trick hosts leave rivals green with envy

THERE was certainly no inevitability about the Plumbline Hawick Sevens yesterday as the hosts squeezed home for their third successive tournament win.

Hawick and Kelso last met in the final in 1997, and this time the Greens were stretched to the limit by a gallant Kelso team. It took a late try from Neil Renwick to win it for the hosts 31-26.

Kelso led 21-14 at the break with tries by MeeKael Hartley, Greg Minto and Gary Mulroy to scores from Gary Johnstone and Michael Robertson.

Tries from Keith Davies, Renwick and Alan Haig levelled the tie before Renwick completed a glory day for the hosts.

Kelso were surprise semi- finalists where they saw off Gala, with two tries from Ian Moody helping to see off the Maroons.

Hawick scored 67 points in their opening two ties before coming up against Jed. Hawick proved too strong, scoring four tries, two from the pacey Johnstone. However, Jed lead the Kings of the Sevens series.

The Danish international side were unable to attend due to the Icelandic volcanic ash crisis.

Hawick Sevens. First round: Kelso 21, Langholm 12; Selkirk 5, Stirling County 38; Watsonians 19, Edinburgh Accies 24 (after extra time); 1 Scot 19, Gala 26; Jed-Forest 26, Peebles 12; President's V11 24, Berwick 0; Hamilton 12, Boroughmuir 20; Hawick 43, Melrose 5.

Second round: Kelso 31, Stirling County 7; Edinburgh Accies 7, Gala 19; Jed-Forest 27, President's V11 0; Boroughmuir 12, Hawick 34.

Semi-finals: Kelso 27, Gala 14; Jed-Forest 12, Hawick 24.

Final: Kelso 26, Hawick 31.