Melrose secure BBC deal but still lack title sponsor

THE Scottish Rugby Union and BBC have agreed a deal that will continue to screen the Melrose Sevens this year, but the famous Borders event is still looking for a title sponsor.

It is somewhat ironic that at a time when the tournament has enhanced its exposure on the world stage in being touted as a leading international event by the Scottish government and recognised in Scotland and internationally with awards, and holding on to BBC Scotland as an enthusiastic supporter, Melrose have struggled to attract business interest. Melrose director of rugby Mike Dalgetty said: "It is just a difficult time for sports sponsorship. We have had great support over many years from a number of sponsors, such as whisky firms and, most recently, Gibraltar Asset Management, but these are difficult times for businesses and we understand when they say they can't continue to invest in sports events.

"But, at the same time, you would hope that as we grow the tournament and continue to spread the gospel of sevens across the world, with the IRB series doing well, the Commonwealth Games bringing sevens to Ibrox in a few years and rugby sevens preparing to enter the Olympic Games in 2016, that there might be more interest now. It is great to have the BBC's backing and we remain hopeful we'll get a sponsor for this year's event."

The tournament is this year held on 9 April and the club has secured a sponsor for the increasingly popular veterans ten-a-side tournament, organised the day before by former Melrose winger Andy Purves. It will be backed for a second year by Edinburgh-based commercial law firm Davidson Chalmers.

The 'vets' tens have attracted Gavin and Scott Hastings, Craig Chalmers, Doddie Weir and Graham Shiel, among a host of Scotland internationalsts, and Fijian Waisale Serevi even took part two years ago. This year the ten-a-side event expects competitors from across the UK, South Africa and the Cayman Islands.