London Scottish triumphed in style at the Melrose Sevens on Saturday, beating Edinburgh Accies 29-12 in the final at the Greenyards.
Returning to the home of Sevens rugby after a 30-year absence, Scottish had fought their way past Heriots and Stellenbosch in the early rounds before comfortably seeing off Jedforest in the semi-final, their 41-point haul being the highest of the day.
The majority of the near-10,000 spectators stayed on in the bright evening sunshine and icy winds, for an entertaining final, the mainly Borders crowd splitting their support for the teams from the two capital cities. Scottish scored almost from the start and led 19-0, playing with flair and looking like running out comfortable winners. Accies rallied with two scores to narrow the gap to 19-12, but they had been drained by a tight semi-final win over the British Army side, and Scottish took advantage. As in previous games, they powered away in the second half, to maintain an average of over five tries and nearly 35 points per match.
Thus the team led by club captain Fraser Lyle and director of rugby Dave Morris, managed by Derek White and coached by Carson Russell – himself a former Scotland Sevens coach – ensured that the club’s name will be engraved on the trophy once more, London Scottish having claimed the old trophy in 1962 and 1965, and been runners-up in 1964, in the heyday of London Scottish Sevens success. The club last entered the tournament in 1990.
It was also a triumph for lead sponsor Aberdeen Standard Investments who also sponsor the event. And second lead sponsor Cairnhill Steel Solutions was also present to see Scottish triumph, as they sponsored home team Melrose on the day.
Addressing the players afterward Lyle said it was a proud day for the club, to win the most prestigious club sevens tournament when back in London the 1st XV and the Lions teams were also not only in action but all victorious.
Another club sponsor Glengoyne also had a presence, and rewarded each player with a dram.
