Veterans bid to turn back the clock in Melrose tens

The main event may be taking place tomorrow, but today some stars of yesteryear will be taking part in the Davidson Chalmers veterans tournament as a curtain raiser to the Melrose Sevens.

The day of tens action on the Annay Road pitches in the town will see clubs from across Britain and abroad coming together to play social rugby at its very best.

The line-up includes Melrose, Tynedale, Orkney RFC, Morgan Auld Blacks, Millbrae RFC, The Islay Star, Hawks Legends, the Crusaders RFC, Northern Gas, Ledbury RFC and international teams the Cayman Harlequins and Hong Kong Veterans.

Of those teams, the Crusaders have a great story to tell and they are made up of players who have suffered from cancer or have a loved one who has and they are aiming to encourage men to check for the warning signs.

They will be plugging the slogan “Play Rugby, Tackle Cancer” throughout the day and were set-up by former Currie prop Duncan Wilson.

His team are more keen on getting their message across than winning, but when their squad includes the former Scotland cap Dave McIvor you know they will be competitive.

As for the favourites, well Melrose usually put out a good squad littered with former first XV players while the teams from overseas can never be discounted and Tynedale are likely to be quite strong.

The ‘vets’ tournament was originally launched in 2008 as part of the wider 125th Melrose Sevens anniversary celebrations and that year a slick Ulster won the title with many of the side that had won the 1999 Heineken Cup involved.

Today the tournament kicks off at 11am and culminates in Cup, Plate and Bowl finals with Tynedale defending the Bowl and Morgan Auld Blacks defending the Plate. Last year’s Cup went to South Africa’s Hammies Dynamiters.