Rugby: Heriot's shine in the sun at Melrose to make semi

HERIOT'S performed the best of all the Capital teams on show at Saturday's Melrose Sevens, the Goldenacre outfit reaching the semi-finals before losing out to the University of Johannesburg.

In the preliminary round in sunshine at the Greenyards Heriot's defeated Glasgow Hawks 29-14 with CJ Osazuwa to the fore. The big second-row was all over the park in that tie, scoring a superb opening try and setting up a couple of others. Colin Goudie and Sam Johnson were also on the scoresheet in the victory.

Earlier in the day Boroughmuir had knocked out Stewart's Melville. Euan Matheson, Greg Cottrell, Malcolm Clapperton and the returning Charlie Keenan scored tries for the Meggetland men with Adam Broatch, Jed Gordon and Blair Tweedie replying in the 24-21 defeat for Stew-Mel.

Currie also made an early exit, James Johnstone giving them an early lead before they were bundled out 31-17 by Hawick, while Edinburgh Accies were defeated by Kelso in their first tie.

In round one 'Muir fought hard before succumbing to the 2009 champions from Johannesburg while reigning Kings of the Sevens Watsonians entered the fray with a bang. Augmented by the presence of Scotland cap Ally Hogg, who was superb at retaining possession from kick-offs, they defeated Hawick 42-5. Tries in the first half from Craig Sorbie (2), Hogg and Mike Ker made it 28-0 at the break and two more were added after the interval.

Heriot's then saw off guest side Cambridge University 21-17 to set up a last eight meeting with their Edinburgh rivals. Two tries from Scotland Sevens cap Chris Fusaro and one from ex-Haddington man Johnson gave them the win, while replacement Jonny Alston made a superb last gasp tackle to stop the English side from grabbing a winner.

Osazuwa was injured against the students and missed the quarter-final against 'Sonians, with the Myreside men taking an early lead through Sorbie.

Heriot's fought back to lead 10-7 at the break and tries from Goudie and Rory Hutton saw them through 22-7 after a polished showing in which Max Nimmo excelled.

The University of Johannesburg tie was just a step too far for the Heriot's squad. The Edinburgh outfit did lead 5-0 at half-time thanks to a Graham Wilson try, but the South Africans eventually won through 17-5.

Another South African side, Hamilton from Cape Town, took the overall event when they won 35-26 in an excellent final.