Watsonians win Selkirk sevens but Jed take the series crown

But it was Jed who lifted the Borders Kings of the Series after their closest challengers, Melrose, were knocked out by Kelso in the quarter-finals. Jed had victories at Gala and Berwick as well as four runners-up spots and two quarter-final places.

“I am really pleased for the boys. They have worked hard all season and deserve the title,” said their coach Kevin Amos. There was praise, too, from Melrose winger Fraser Thomson, who missed the competition due to injury. “It’s congratulations to them. They have been the most consistent team on the circuit this season,” he tweeted.

Jed had won the Gala and Berwick events while Watsonians were winners at Peebles and Kelso, and it was the third time in four finals that the clubs had met in the final. It was also Sonians’ first success at Selkirk, to follow a first win at Kelso.

“We started sevens training later,” said skipper Mike Ker, suggesting that the city side could otherwise have been challenging for the overall trophy.

But Watsonians dampened the spirits and found new levels of energy while Jed ran out of steam. The city side led 19-7 in the final with tries from Rory Steele, Ker and Tom Hart, Lewis Young hitting back on half-time.

In the second half, Paulie Tuala (2), the Denzil Lloyd Player-of-the Tournament, Scott McKean and Jack Ferguson put the result beyond doubt with further tries.

David Gobby and Darren Gillespie got late consolation scores, but it was Watsonians who staked their claim as potential runners-up in the series. They finished on 43 points, just two behind Melrose in second spot.

The prizes will be presented at the final of the ten tournaments on Saturday at Jed’s own event.