Gala to retain format after winning home sevens

GALA won their own sevens for the first time since 1995 on Saturday at Netherdale, and their president George Marshall has pledged to retain the format with a plate and bowl competition, but with an earlier kick-off time.

“I think undoubtedly that we will keep the same format. Presidents of other clubs have congratulated us on what we have done with the plate and the bowl. It adds a bit extra,” he said. “It was drawn it out a bit, and we might look at starting a bit earlier next time. We would hope to get a warmer day as well. But with a few wee tweaks, we are there. I think our win is fantastic for the Kings of the Sevens series to have a Borders final with two great rivals. It was well fought and the crowd got behind them.

“It was an unbelievable result after the disappointment of the previous week (losing to Melrose in the cup), and with Braw Lad Ryan Mania winning the Grand National, we can do no wrong.”

Gala captain George Graham added: “It was down to hard work throughout the tournament. This is the first sevens trophy that I have won.”

The Five-Star Taxis event kicked off at 3.30pm with the final under the floodlights starting at around 8.40pm, and it was the hosts who turned on the style, beating Hawick 38-12. John Coutts gave Hawick the lead, but Chris Auld replied for Gala and Lee Millar converted. Grant Somerville stretched the lead before Hawick levelled through Keith Davies only for Gary Graham to score on the stroke of half-time. Gavin Young stretched the lead and Somerville and Ben Murray made sure with late tries, Millar’s kicking crucial with the conversions.

Gala fought back in the first of the semi-finals after Edinburgh Accies had stormed into a 14-0 lead and in the second of the semis, Hawick turned the game around. Edinburgh Rugby made their debut at the sevens to beat Watsonians in the Bowl final and in the Plate final, Melrose edged out Peebles.

Results

Pool matches. Melrose 10, Watsonians 20; Melrose 0, Edin Accies 30; Melrose 17, Edin Accies 31; Gala 36, Currie 0; Gala 29, Kelso 7; Currie 22, Kelso 7; Jed-Forest 28, Selkirk 26; Jed-Forest 12, Hawick 19; Selkirk 21, Hawick 28; Edinburgh Rugby 17, Heriot’s 24; Edinburgh Rugby 29, Peebles 21; Heriot’s 35, Peebles 10.

Semi-finals: Edinburgh Accies 14, Gala 17; Hawick 26, Heriot’s 10.

Final: Gala 38, Hawick 12.

Plate semi-finals: Melrose 21, Kelso 7; Selkirk 10, Peebles 17.

Final: Melrose 19, Peebles 14

Bowl semi-finals: Watsonians 12, Currie 0; Jed-Forest 12, Edinburgh Rugby 27.

Final: Watsonians 0, Edinburgh Rugby 40.