Watsonians are supreme: Langholm Sevens is still one of the best tournaments in Scotland

Rugby

WATSONIANS retained the Scott cup in devastating
style at the Langholm
Sevens last Saturday.
In their first tie the Edinburgh side dispatched a determined Border Park 24-0 and this was followed by a convincing 52-0 win over Langholm in their quarter-final.
The semi-final produced a tougher opposition in the shape of Boroughmuir and the prize for a place in the final was keenly contested.
The final score was 24-24 so the sides lined up for extra time. Watsonians scored first and this meant they progressed to the final where they met a robust Kelso seven.
Two tries by Lewis Berg, later selected by the referees as player of the tournament, and one by Rory Steele, all converted by Ali Harris, gave Watsonians a 21-0 interval lead.
It was one-way traffic after the break and Chris Bell touched down. Frankie Robson scored a consolation try for Kelso before Fox scored at the other end.
The result was 31-7.
Despite the dire weather forecast and a heavy hail shower just before the first tie, the tournament was a great success on and off the field.
Best
The pitch was in great condition and everything was well organised. There was a decent crowd and some good rugby on show so it was a great credit to the club and showed why Langholm Sevens is still one of the best tournaments in Scotland.
The first tie featured Edinburgh Accies and Hawick. Accies have played some good sevens this year but came unstuck against a determined Hawick side who won 17-5.
With the late withdrawal of Murrayfield Wanderers and Hawick Quins having to play a XVs match, Jedforest and Kelso were given byes into the second round.
Melrose won easily against Peebles 27-0.
Langholm took to the field against the Powerbombs. The Bombs scored first and converted to make it 7-0 before Peter Wilkes broke a tackle and sprinted in for Langholm’s first try, converted by Martin Chisholm.
Wilkes almost scored a second try but he was hauled down just short of the line. During another good attack Powerbombs made a high tackle on Miller just short of the line and the ref awarded the home side a penalty try. Half time score 14-7.
In the second half the Powerbombs scored two quick tries to take the lead 14-19 before Wilkes again broke his tackle and scampered over the line for a converted try to make made the score 21-19.
Powerbombs threw everything at a determined Langholm and in the final play of the match they crossed the line but they were held up and the ref blew for full time.
Cheer
A great cheer went up from the grandstand and Langholm progressed into the quarter-finals.
In the final two ties of the first round Boroughmuir beat Selkirk 35-10 and Earlston were defeated 32-0 by Gala.
In the quarter-finals Hawick came up against a fresh Jedforest and lost 31-11. Kelso, also playing for the first time, beat Melrose 19-12. Gala went down to Boroughmuir 40-10.
The first semi-final was an all-Border affair, with Jedforest taking on Kelso. It was an exciting tie and both clubs matched each other’s scores.
With the game tied at 21-21, it went down to the last play of the game. Kelso made the breakthrough and scored to make it 26-21.
Kenneth Pool of Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Langholm RFC chairman presented the medals and the Scott cup.
The Archie Smith memorial trophy for player of the tournament was presented by Mark Grieve to Lewis Berg.
Langholm RFC would like to thank EWM for providing excellent sponsorship and the children’s entertainment and thank everybody who went along to support the tournament.
Langholm Squad

P Wilkes, J Wilkes
L Miller, N Cubbon
J Pool, M Chisholm
T Hope, A Cavers, N Smith