Rugby: Clark in sevens heaven in event hailed as big success

Boroughmuir president George Clark has hailed the success of his club's sevens tournament, both from a rugby perspective and from a financial viewpoint.

Reflecting on a competition that produced some outstanding rugby - eventual winners Glasgow Hawks and runners up Stirling County served up an entertaining final brimming with pace and flair - Clark said: "I think the format works well on a Friday night. A couple of sides pulled out at the last minute, but nevertheless you get players who step up and say I'll take part. The only personal disappointment was that Boroughmuir didn't play well."

The hosts never recovered from a loss against Edinburgh University in their opening tie and were beaten in the semi final of the second tier competition by Stewart's Melville. The Inverleith side went on to lift the consolation silverware with a 29-0 win over composite squad Bruce Hay Chiefs, Mike Crawley touching down twice, while Angus Lean, Sam Blackwood and Stuart Ker had a try apiece.

In the main competition, Edinburgh University had no answer to the all round pace and power of Glasgow Hawks, who swept the students aside 66-0 in the semi final. Meanwhile, East League outfit Lismore were ousted 42-0 by Stirling County in a match marred by an injury to Lismore's Ryan Flaherty.

Hawks dominated the final, racing into a 21-7 lead at half time then piling on the points in the second period to take the trophy with a 47-12 scoreline. That tie entertained a sizeable crowd that braved chilly conditions and made a welcome contribution to the 'Muir coffers.

"Every club is struggling for money," added Clark. "The damage caused by the winter has been pretty desperate for the loss of revenue around November and December. We are back on our way now which is the fortunate thing. A night like this makes a huge difference.

And pointing to the success of the Friday slot, he said: "It's the night we have chosen simply because if we don't, it competes with something else on a Saturday or a Sunday.

"It's good for the clubs that take part. They've got the whole weekend in front of them and they can still play another tournament if they choose to." Results

Pool A: Edinburgh Accies 26, Bruce Hay Chiefs 29; Edinburgh Accies 14, Lismore 28; Bruce Hay Chiefs 19, Lismore 51

Pool B: Boroughmuir 14, Edinburgh University 22; Boroughmuir 19, Napier University 5; Edinburgh University 14, Napier University 19

Pool C: Stirling County 38, Presidents Seven 7; Stirling County 24, Bruce Hay Squaws 17; Presidents Seven 15, Bruce Hay Squaws 17

Pool D: Stewarts Melville 34, Preston Lodge 0; Glasgow Hawks 26, Stewarts Melville 12; Glasgow Hawks 36 Preston Lodge 0

Semi-finals: Stirling County 42, Lismore 0; Glasgow Hawks 66-0, Edinburgh University

Final: Glasgow Hawks 47, Stirling County 12

Plate final: Stewart's Melville 29, Bruce Hay Chiefs 0