Pivotal weekend in Kings of the Sevens title race

THE excitement of the Borders ‘Kings of the Sevens’ series is ramped up a level this weekend when Jed-Forest’s bid to stay ahead of the pack comes under severe pressure in unpredictable tournaments at Hawick and Berwick.

Hawick, bidding for a fifth consecutive home win, are in the bottom half of their draw with Jed taking on local rivals Kelso in the top, while Gala are missing this year due to their cup final commitments. Melrose, Hawick YM – fresh from capping another championship-winning season – and Watsonians are other top picks poised to make Jed work for a semi-final spot while Hawick will face stiff challenges from Peebles or Edinburgh Accies and Selkirk.

The series heads north-east to Berwick tomorrow, when Gala re-enter the fray, albeit after cup final exertions, drawn against Melrose in the second tie. At 1pm Kelso and Watsonians kick-off another tournament that promises to be hugely competitive while the hosts, Selkirk and Edinburgh Accies or Peebles are in Jed’s half of the draw this time, the Riverside men opening against Morpeth.

Hawick Sevens (first tie 2pm): Melrose v Whitecraigs, Hawick YM v Watsonians, Jed-Forest v Kelso, Hamilton v Dumfries, Hawick v Berwick, Peebles v Edinburgh Accies, Selkirk v Langholm, Biggar v Falkirk.

Berwick Sevens: (tomorrow, first tie 1pm) Kelso v Watsonians, Melrose v Gala, Edinburgh University v Hawick YM, Hawick v Musselburgh, Berwick v Murrayfield Wanderers, Selkirk v Alnwick, Edinburgh Accies v Peebles, Jed-Forest v Morpeth.