2016 Rugby: The Melrose Sevens

A warm welcome to Melrose, home of rugby sevens. It was back in 1883

that the first game of sevens happened right here in this town.

Since then the sport has developed into a worldwide phenomenon and this

year it will make it all in big debut. We are here this afternoon

for five hours of live sevens rugby and if it is anything like last year

we are in for a treat. Oh my goodness me. It is all

Warriors. Great try. Through he goes. Lovely try for Glasgow.

Scores a try. He will be a proud man. It has finished with a real

display of passion. It is a wonderful day for a game of

rugby and the action here got underway at 11:30am, we have

completed the first round and this is what you have missed so far.

just a reminder of the first-round results so far, Howe of Fife out of

the competition, knocked out by Edinburgh Accies.

Watsonians won this competition 20 years ago and through to next round.

The first match in the second round, Edinburgh Accies ahead against Ayr.

They won 33-17, coming back from being down, fantastic match, great

performance, disappointment for a very young Ayr team. Good to have

you with us, the weather is sensational. Fantastic day for

rugby. I am joined by the former Scotland sevens coach, the first

round already complete, some surprises as well? Yes, great to see

Marr coming and getting a victory, it will be intriguing to see how the

Invitational teams get on. They knocked out Stirling County, they

have never done particularly well here but some invitational sides

that we will talk about during the course of the afternoon but you know

how important this competition is for Southern truck bid, you played

around the world as a coach and this is where it comes from. This is by

far the best club tournament in the world and it's great to be here,

sunshine and a wonderful atmosphere. The rugby does not stop here, you

will see it all on BBC Two Scotland and the next match is Boroughmuir

against Gala. COMMENTATOR: Gala to the left of the picture, 0-0 in the

opening seconds. Lovely conditions. It's perfect for southern side

rugby. Some of the tries you have seen in the build-up to the

afternoon showed how easy it is for teams to get a good footing on this

task. Doddie Weir is alongside me resplendent in multiple colours of

tartan and it's been great so far. Yes, some great sevens played so

far, great weather not only for the players but the spectators as well.

There we go, looking splendid, shirt and tie and everything. Setting the

standard. And setting the standard on the field, some great play. The

pictures been a bit damp. -- the pitch has been. We have seen people

slipping when trying to sidestep. Look at this, the opener for Gala.

The assistant referee keeps the flag down, does that everyone forward? He

does but the try is given. That is the opener in this tie which is the

second of Round 2. Width on the ball, Graham Spiers, you can see how

in today's game, you also have an end goal referee who awarded the

try. All the conversions attempts in sevens are from the drop-kick. Would

you believe it, he has got it, what a wonderful touchline conversion.

His father would have been proud of that. I think a lot of people would

have been proud of that, a fantastic effort right from the touchline. Two

points could be valuable at the end of this game. Gala get it underway

again. Lovely cake by Andie Rose for Boroughmuir. -- lovely cake. Picked

up by Walker. Trying to bustle his way through. Comes out along the

line. He has the flyer outside him on his left, right. That is Gavin

Welsh. But they are going the other way. Giving the ball lots of space,

back to Andie Rose. Playing from one side to the other at the moment,

going from one standard to the temporary stand, just to try and

find some space. Plenty of space, that's the sort of thing that can

frustrate the players. The knock-on. He will be frustrated because it's

hard enough to win the ball without giving it away with an easy knock-on

like that. Big tall lad, the perfect athletic build for southern aside

rugby. The Grand National, might be heavy going and it looks heavy going

out here. Here come Gala, another flyer on the field, Craig Robertson.

Ewan Scott. Sidestep, look at the exhilaration, and a lovely little

step of the right and followed by that on the left, hand off like a

boxer 's punch and he goes over for the second try. Delight on his face,

he used to play rugby for Jedburgh before coming to play for

Galashiels. Watch the build-up to this again. You would think, nice

little sidestep, two, lovely quick of foot, making it difficult for the

opposition to tackle. You have to make the first line tackles, if you

don't that is what happens. Well done Ewan Scott. He's quite a big

chap, did well under the posts. The most perfect setting for

southern aside rugby, the Eildon Hills in the background. I have been

up those a few times in my lifetime but not today, the place to be is

where the 11,000 are today, seated around the Greenyards in lovely

conditions. Interested in seeing how well Gala doing because it's their

first game in the competition, and year have already played so you

would have thought they would be a bit more together. -- Boroughmuir

have already played. Another breakthrough, Steve Cairns. Suddenly

taking matters into his own hands and he is off. And there goes the

flyer, Gavin Welsh. He has tremendous pace, scored a barrel of

tries at the Galashiels sevens last weekend. The crowd enjoying that.

That was good play, Galashiels on the front foot but sometimes they

have to pass can be quite cruel at times, good play from Boroughmuir.

Could have been a food fight to write to the line but Gavin Walsh is

a runner, he took the ball and put it right between the posts which

makes a very exciting game. 14-7 at the break in favour of Gala. They

don't get all that long to take on water but they need it because in

these conditions, we are warm in the commentary box but down on the field

in the direct sunshine and all that running around the players will be

feeling the heat. Not only that but it's a different game, boys have

been playing fifteens most of the season, different fitness required

for sevens. You have to get your stamina, your fitness is different

to what you have been used to. Looking forward to the little break,

try to get as big and as well break as they can. Good crowd already,

this is the second game of the second round. Already the people

have flooded in, they have come by train, by bus and mortar car, and

they have walked of course from the neighbouring villages. Always a

great, festive party feeling to this competition. It is the blue-ribbon

event on the Scottish circuit. The Melrose medal is the one that all

the players covet, the one that they want. The second half under way.

Didn't go the ten. They come back for a free kick at halfway and Gala

have the advantage of possession and the free kick. Did the right thing,

just half a yard of the ten yard line, let it bounce to see that it

would go but it didn't. This lad usually plays as a centre at

fifteens but is big and broad enough to play as a forward in sevens.

Along the lines it goes. Gala playing a bit of cat and mouse,

Frankie Robson with the ball, used to play at Kelso but now is with the

Galashiels team. Along the line it comes. He has Robertson outside him.

Back it comes on the Boroughmuir side, that's a good turnover. Very

good turnover, very important as well, have to protect the ball going

into the tackle. Boroughmuir have to watch. Frankie Robson was tackled

and released the ball but played it before getting back on his feet

which is why the penalty has been awarded. Sam Johnson for

Boroughmuir. Good bustling running. Up the touchline, infield it goes.

Mark Walker, the kick ahead and the chase by Gavin Welsh. He has to be

careful not to overdo it, that's the pick-up and in he goes. Second try

for Boroughmuir. Well worked try, against the run of play again.

They've not had the ball all that often in attack but when they do

that is the man you don't want having the ball in front of him.

Good bit of footballing skill as well. Just a little pick-up, one of

his easier tries because Gala didn't quite chase it down. Boroughmuir,

when they have got the space, they make the most of it. The conversion

just going to the left side. This is the little tap, it is

control that is needed, picking up the ball as he was rolling away from

him, it's a very difficult skill and more often than not you will see

knock-on is. But he chanced his arm and came good. The little break, the

missed tackle by Gala. Gala in possession on the far side. Comes

infield, Simon Fairburn. Gala monopolising possession at the

moment. Coming out along the line. Parker goes. Parker is strong as you

another sprinter. Brought down that time. Boroughmuir need the turnover

but they don't have at this time. Along the line it goes, Graham

Spiers looking for runners. Not a problem. Sauntering in and touching

down. Good strong running. Just had to

stroll in. It was all made by the lovely break up the wing. I think I

could have scored that one. Not sure if I would have been there in the

first place but I could have finished it off for them. Would you

like to put on a Galashiels Jersey? As a Hawick man I would have to

think about it very long and hard. Almost well caught, almost caught.

And the interception by Graham Spiers, he's away again. His second

in this game. Galashiels's fourth. Also simple and so annoying for the

team giving away the interception. This is a big thing which isn't

being done as much as it should be, you have to hustle the ball carrier,

get up there and have some contact to put the opposite team under

pressure. He's done that exceptionally well, Graham Spiers.

He has been the man who has stood out and is working well for Gala.

That's the view people have from the main grandstand just on the halfway

line, you can see the substitute sitting there and biding their time.

Frankie Robson for Galashiels again. Perhaps a slight knock: upon receipt

of the kick-off. The referee has been fantastic so far, speaking to

the players. Which has been helping the players continue the game, keep

the game flowing. Playing quite a bit of advantage which is quite good

because you don't want to stop and start play. Into the last minute of

play in this game, the Boroughmuir scrum-half running away up the far

side but he won't get away from Parker. Parker just had the gas to

get there and put in the covering tackle. Gave him the outside, got

him right to the touchline, and got the throw. They are allowed to do

lifting in the line-out of course. Good ball for Gala, Parker again,

Graham Spiers, look at the acceleration! Beautiful running by

Graham Spiers. Sam Johnson tries to cut him off in the corner, just a

bit late. Another lovely try for Gala. Graham Spiers with yet another

try, his third in this game. That's the final whistle. Galashiels the

winners over Boroughmuir, comfortable winners in this second

round tie, 33-12. You don't get any easy ties here.

Very pleased. This tournament is special to most of us involved in

Scottish rugby but how important is it for you boarders teams together

good show? Massive, I was lucky enough to win this competition as a

player. Good luck in the next round. This could be a cracking game. On

the left it is Jedburgh, some familiar faces in Fraser Harkness

and Gregor Young. Some quick, tall runners, Selkirk on the right who

are receiving. What are the tactics? The key starting point is the

restart and Selkirk have the ball. Selkirk away already, Ross Nixon was

playing well in the earlier round. Keep your eyes out for Wellman, the

flyer. He is pointing and ushering, gives it deep to Nixon. In terms of

how they have to play the game, is with key? -- width. Yes, Selkirk

trying to keep a hold of the ball and look for space and only have

created an opportunity on the outside. Good one-handed pass, Nixon

again involved. Davis, Marshall, McDougall and Welsh in the Selkirk

team. This is one of the young brothers who have plenty of pace.

They have three players who have played international sevens in the

Jedburgh team but if you don't have the ball it's very difficult and

Selkirk have had the monopoly in the first minute and a half. It's one of

the most beautiful settings. Nice little pass, backhanded flip. No

corn, got the ball to Marshall but it will be a scrum -- knock-on. The

scrum will be important, Selkirk have played a tie in the first round

so Jedburgh will be looking to set the tone. Just to give you an idea

of some of the teams coming up, a French Invitational team and the

Belgian national team who are pretty impressive. Some great sevens stars.

Harkness comes here every year, Fraser Harkness, everything about

him shout that maybe he should be able to do what he is able to do but

he's an incredible sevens players. Very good patience by Jedburgh, went

wide of the scrum and Fraser identified the space. He is

deceptively quick with a very good rugby brain.

This was a cracking try, tells you everything you need to know about

how to play the game. And look at this crowd, 11,000 people, a

beautiful spring day, are happy and contented crowd. They came here by

train, they have driven down from all over the country to be here to

watch one of the great sporting events in this country of ours.

The referee picking Jedburgh up for not releasing the tackled player and

Selkirk looking to try and play quickly.

Good break by McDougall. Stays strong. Selkirk, we noticed early

on, Selkirk have good technique at the breakdown. Little break by Mikey

Davies but he was cornered. We have seen Welsh stride out in the first

round. Interesting that the now at this stage don't play again for

another two hours. Yes, it's a long break so they know they can give it

their all for 40 minutes, it's the recovery strategy afterwards.

Wellman smashed by Tywyn. Again the Selkirk technique over the ball. --

by Tywyn. John Welsh is collared and the fitness of Jedburgh looks good.

The ball squirted the back. The exhaustion starts to creep in. The

outside channel, play between the 15 metre line and the touchline on both

sides, that is critical. The team that can get numbers there, what

Jedburgh dead was applying pressure at the break and Selkirk could not

numbers there. Selkirk against Jedburgh, Jedburgh

in the light blue on the left. Lots of gas in this Jedburgh team if they

can get the ball to them. Harkness. Another penalty. Harkness could see

an opportunity, he has Reddy scored one try, exit long. -- he has

already. -- kick it long. Wellman, the quick man, but he's not

had much space. Jedburgh have marshalled him very well, they will

know each other from playing last weekend at Gala. An international

sevens team would be very wide that when a club team gets tired they are

quite narrow. The speed of organisation is very intense and

both teams feeling the effects of the heat. Lewis Young, we know they

can run. Up against the Selkirk fast man but he has man and ball, it is

all so unless he can get it to the ground it will be a scrum to

Jedburgh. Identified Selkirk didn't have a sweeper, quite often teams

will play with six on the front line defence and a sweeper in behind and

he recognised the sweeper was not there and put a kick in, but to be

fair Wellman did well to get back on the ball. But a turnover opportunity

and a scrum for Jedburgh. No identification of anybody at home,

but the good try by Chisholm. Jedburgh score their second. Ian

Chisholm profiting from some loose ball. That was a great score.

Straight from the scrum, picking up and going through. If we go back to

the kick from Lewis Young, the vision and understanding of the

space in the game. This space can be through the middle, around the

outside or in behind and that opportunity it was in behind.

Unfortunately I missed conversion. It's a good game, Jedburgh are

dominating. Half-time. Let's join Hello. I heard you saying on BBC

radio Scotland that playing in the Melrose Sevens was on your bucket

list so you must be pleased to be here. The crowd are amazing, the

weather is nice as well and the turnout for a one-day tournament of

Rugby sevens is unbelievable. I think we will give it our best to

give the people who came for the show a good game. The German

national team came here last year and surprised a lot of people by

going all the way to the final. Had you got similar targets for the June

team? From the beginning we played a second division team so we grew

together and last year we beat them very narrowly in the European

Championship and we know they are a big quality side, so we tried to do

even better and get as far as they have. As you can see, the quality on

the pitch here is really good so it will be a tough competition.

Aberdeen first up, best of luck in the tournament.

Thank you. That was the Belgian captain talking to Andy Burke. Steve

Gemmell, you have watched some of these Belgians played before. Let's

just watch this. This could be a try for Selkirk. They have Mikey Davis

on the ball now. Out to Nixon. Out to Wellman. A nice cut to Hendry.

Young on his own try line. A knock-on. This could be a hand in.

What an unlucky gesture. Josh Welsh takes the advantage of that little

sloppy knock-on. That came from the restart. A wonderful restart, just

onto the ten metre line for Selkirk, gave them the possession and came

wide in the wide channel. Jed managed to get it back and then

unfortunately an error at this level and this type of game is punished.

We have seen some incredible tries already, I think we have seen some

great tries. What happens here? Craig Cowan looks up and just

spilled the ball. You look up and think you have 95 metres to run and

that adds pressure. He lifted his head and dropped the ball,

unfortunately. Tell us about the restart. What is happening? What you

have got to do is give your attacking players the chance if

there is height on the ball, it gives your team the chance to get

under it and win the ball back. Possession in sevens is critical.

Lots of good pressure from Selkirk. Selkirk have been good at breakdown.

All these Jed bodies around the ball. It will be a penalty to Jed.

They need to get the youngs and Harkness on the ball. It took Jed a

while to get up from the ground. It was Chisholm I think when that ball

in. This will be a try. It is indeed. As many as are of the

opinion, say "aye". To the contrary, "no". I think it was Robert Hawke

who came in on that line. You see the speed of the game that Jed from

that quick penalty wanted to play the ball quickly, brought it back to

the mark and the referee. Chisholm was not going to be caught.

There is Jed extending their lead. They look pretty comfortable. I

think he is feeling the heat. Believe me, John, you never feel

comfortable with only a 14 point lead. At the moment, Jed seemed to

be maximising the opportunities they have with the ball. Selkirk, to be

fair, had some possession but have not been able to turn it into

points. A great afternoon's rugby in prospect. That is another mistake

were it does not make the ten metres line. That will be punished. Gives a

free kick in the centre. Nixon, pointing and cajoling. To

Robertson. Robertson to Davies. Knocked down deliberately says the

referee. Our apologies if you were lip-reading earlier on. Apologies if

you were offended. It was going to be called back for the knock-on.

Stevie, what is interesting here is that Jed are having to work for the

tries, aren't they? A lot of what they are doing is from their own 22.

They have some players, the two Youngs. Davies seems to be the

playmaker. Everything is going through Mikey Davies. A tackle by

Young. It will be a Scrum V. That his white line fever we often talk

about in rugby where probably one pass would have been a guaranteed

score. Good defence to hold them up there by Mr Young again. Ross Cohen

was coming round the defence. It could have been a try. Good

snaffling. Harkness is on the ground as well. How tiring is sevens?

Extremely tiring. This is a critical stage. Two minutes to go. Selkirk

know they will have a chance to get the ball back.

Selkirk still on the attack. Lots of little mistakes. Wellman just spins

round. It might be too little, too late. A good try. Yes, it was an

excellent try. Well worked from the penalty. A simple pass, good finish.

You would think Selkirk need to be rushing to take this kick. Even if

they get this, they need a converted score. Unfortunately, that dropped

shot. Very difficult now. A minute to go. A two score game. We are into

the last minute. It has been a really good game this one. That was

another mistake. Harkness, I think one of the great playmakers. Young

just steps on the gas. This is the stride length of genuine talent,

Lewis Young, followed in by his brother Greg Young, who is the

captain and Young with that vital score. They chose not to go to the

kick-off and it went straight into the hands of Lewis Young. There is

the final score. A good game. Just to remind you the time in the top

left-hand corner is our time but the referee has his own time so we are

playing by that time. We are going to get some great games later on.

Let's join Andy Burke again. Thank you. I have got the Jed head

coach with me now. Are you happy with what you saw? It was a good

win. They are tough to beat. We were scoring tries. Have you set your

side any targets about how far they can go? We want to go all the way.

We are not just here to make up the numbers. Best of luck.

Out in the middle of the field is today's referee for this tie. To the

left of the picture, Belgium, the visitors. To the right, Aberdeen. I

think we are in for an exciting game here. We had Belgium beat Germany

who got to the final last year. Aberdeen in the first round beat

Glasgow Hawks. Both teams can play and looking forward to this type,

especially the guest side of Belgium. This is a very good start

here by the Belgians. Lovely running. It is a tribe for the big

man. The big lad with the beard. He is away over six foot seven. Look at

him, you would never think he was the kind of person to play sevens.

That is the type of try you used to like dodgy. It was by distance. --

Doddie. Here's the ball extremely well. So far, within a minute, which

is quite interesting because the players don't have a clock so they

don't know how many minutes have played but we do. Clever players may

be able to see the clock on the old stand. This is the first of the

foreign guest sides we have seen. This is Belgium in the yellow, black

and red of their national colours. And Aberdeen on the right of your

screen. The big fellow Verscelden is a

handful. The referee says you cannot do that,

that is a penalty. Aberdeen on the attack.

I spoke to referees beforehand, I still don't understand the Lawes.

What the referees are doing very well if they are explaining that

quite well but that was not going back ten yards. You have had a

lifetime of not understanding the law Ayes of rugby, Doddie! -- the

laws. If you play well you could put yourself... Look at them go for the

corner. That is a SuperDrive. That levels it. It is 5-5. Delighted with

his effort. -- a superb try. Weighing up the options. When you

get out of that straight line, you do sometimes create a space. A good

effort there. That made the drop kick over the post a lot trickier

but you could see the referee with his flag in the air which is a

tremendous notch for an extra two points. Alex Haggart with the

conversion so to 7- 04 Aberdeen Rugby. What a good start for them.

The clock at the top will give you an indication roughly of where we

are in the game. There is a chance here for the Belgians. I watched

them training yesterday and again, I thought they were very good handlers

of the ball but I have not seen them in contact until now. They are still

going to have their handling skills but they still have to accomplish

that when they are fatigued. Very much, Bill. Belgian caught the ball

from the kick-off. Aberdeen anticipated that would pass. Belgium

took it on but forward past. Good play here stop a lovely run around.

A chance here. That was a good try for Belgium.

Good team work there. That could easily have gone the

other way. That could easily have been an intercept. That is how

exciting the game is. A lovely try there.

Mr conversion there, two points on this. That could be vital at the end

of this game because Aberdeen are playing well.

Well taken there by Aberdeen. One of these we study forwards at the

middle of it. There was a knock-on by Aberdeen

there. Number three puts his team under a little bit of pressure. You

don't really want to throw the ball high in the air. The Belgian team is

coached by Nicholas LaRue who used to play seven asides for France. He

is a Frenchman. He played for Stade Francais in his 15 aside days.

The captain just did that little dummy as if he was going to do a

little step. It made the defence checked and allowed Loic Lechlen to

go right in the corner. So half time here at the Greenyards. Here we are,

tie number four in the second round. We are gradually working our way

through to the real business end of the competition. There are the

Belgians, and that man Loic Lechlen, he has done some good running. Here

is one of his tries. See that little dummy. That allowed Loic Lechlen to

run into the corner which I think even you could do, Bill. What I

think is exciting is the way that the Belgians are looking quite good.

They are not bad. I thought they might have some more pace about

them. They are leading. Big Alex Hagood in the middle. He is giving

his team words of wisdom and setting out the pattern for the next seven

minutes half of rugby. The next 7.5 minutes of rugby determines whether

they go into the quarterfinals or not. And that big culture and player

Mathieu Verschelden, he scored their first try -- that take lad. Here

they go, bringing it to the side. A little change of tactics.

It is interesting in this line-out you have the little man being

lifted. This lad is a leading runner. He is

not the fastest but I think he is difficult get hold of.

Another try for the visitors. There is a smile on the face of the

foreigners. They have got their second breath and they are enjoying

Melrose Sevens. They certainly are and they are enjoying sevens rugby

as well. It is all about support. Coupe, with a name like that, you

would expect him to be running very fast. I think we will see a lot more

from him in the later ties. We are a minute and a half into the second

period of play. 22.2 seven. Belgium are leading Aberdeen. They have

worked very hard for it, this Belgian side. Aberdeen have

travelled a long way. How did they get on in that first type? They beat

Glasgow Hawks in their opening tie this afternoon. They have not gone

away entirely empty-handed. A chance here for Mathieu

Verschelden. The big lad is away again. Vincent heart is in at the

corner. Yet another try for the visitors. They show their faces now

as they put their game together. Vincent heart. They make it look

quite easy at the moment. Still a bit to do. Come on, Doddie,

tell me about great sidesteps you did in your career. I don't think

there is any footage of that, Bill. We talk about sidesteps as well but

another thing we saw today which is nice to see if a player of today

carrying a ball in two hands. In our day it was one hand round the back.

You can see the captain just behind the ball at the kick-offs, he is

giving some kind of signal to his players, and it is working

exceedingly well. They have won the ball back again. Here is this big

strong runner going through now. That is another great try. He is

another one of these Belgians who can run a bit and he is strong with

it. No messing around when he gets a sniff of the whitewash, as they say.

He is strong, Bill, because he is allowed to be strong. Aberdeen are

not making their tackles at the moment. If you do not make tackles,

you will be punished. The scoreline tells that tale. You can see it was

well competed, not offside. The ball is forward there. One missed tackle,

no support, no runner behind. It is a different type of kick-off. A low

bouncing kick-off. They have to come back and Aberdeen have the restart

and away they go. What a good piece of running here stop they have got

the try. That is just reward for a fabulous individual effort. That is

worth seeing again. He is certainly the man of Aberdeen at the moment.

He was going forward and forward. He had the whole of Belgium on his back

at one stage but still managed to roll over. Nothing on here. No

support around the bottom. Just himself and the Belgian team in

front. A great bit of sidestep and shimmy. You can see how he transfers

the ball from left to right hand. A magnificent try. There we are, the

man of the moment, Jollands with that lovely try. The Belgian side

are well ahead. The thing about sevens is you do not get any VAT

replay which is why there is a touch judge to give the nod. He must have

been happy with that. -- the key replay.

The Belgians swamped that area. Another component of sevens, you

have got to be a bit quicker on the ball. Aberdeen are a bit sluggish.

The referee is smiling away in the middle but he does not have to do

the running and tackling. I think he is showing off a little bit as well

because I think he is speaking French did the Belgians which is a

nice touch. Back infield it goes, Redmond with the ball, a great

tackle there. Aberdeen playing some nice rugby when they get half a

chance. When out on that far touchline, spreading the ball.

Gilmore on the deck. There is the referee's Whistle indicating

full-time in this tie. It is a comfy win in the end for Belgium. They

have beaten Aberdeen. There is the scoreline on your screen. The

referee just congratulating the players on their efforts and wishing

them well for the next round. Belgium go through and they will

meet Jed in the second quarterfinal. Yes, an excellent start. I am joined

by one of their players. You must be pleased with how your team

performed? It was very tough. It was an aim to get into this match and

feel the atmosphere here in Aberdeen for the first tournament in Melrose

so we are really happy. Tell me what it means for you and your Belgian

team-mates to be here as part of this historic tournament? It is a

real privilege to take part here will stop it is really a pleasure

for us. Best of luck for the next round.

Another of the invitation or sides now, it is the French up against the

Watsonians. French peripatetic players. Many of them not sevens

players, playing for clubs. The Watsonians are away

straightaway. Rory steel keeps it alive to

Ferguson. Watsonians no respect of reputation at all. The ball went

forward but it will be offside said Mr Dickson, and that was a good way

to start. Absolutely. Difficult for the French guest team. Bertram just

ashes his way through to pretty ineffective French tackles, it has

to be said. He just crashes across the line. Mark Bertram with the

first try for Watsonians. They won last weekend and did not expect to

make it look this easy. It is always difficult when you are dealing with

a French team, whether it is the French national team or these

invitational teams. The games suit how they play with 15th but it does

not always transfer. Here is the try coming in. Bertram easily broke

through two tackles and under the post. Conversion means it is 7-0

now. OK, Drummond, Miller and Bertram

already had an impact. A hard tackle by Rory Drummond.

Seventise, let's see what they are made of. Lambert has it back.

The French will have to be stung into some kind of action.

Interesting when you saw the defence of Watsonians, because there was no

contact area, some of the players were in the eye line of the French

attacking teams, as they look to come back from left to right. The

Watsonians players were setting up. That created the opportunity. The

French have it. The ex-Stade Francais player passes

it. It will be one of these games, it is

as usual, you want the big invitational sides to show you

something, you don't really want them to win. You want the local lads

to beat them. If Watsonians can keep their act together, they have every

chance. They are very well coached, with Andrew Kerr, an ex-Scotland

sevens player as the manager and the next sevens player as the coach.

That will be a scrum to Seventise. We know the first quarterfinal will

be Edinburgh Accies against... This is one of the treats for the eye.

Look at the TV spectators have in this competition which has been

going in from 1883. It was this brand of sevens invented purely to

make some money back in the olden days but it has been one of the

great exports from this part of the world.

that was almost man and ball but Watsonians showing a lot of patience

building in their own 22. Nice step. The French seem to have upped their

game, Davidson is collared, helped back by Ewan Miller. Keeping the

ball alive. Bit more pressure. That was going backwards but the break is

on. Drummond in support. Not enough people helping as Rory Steele it

was, but he's earned a penalty which will be taken quickly by Ewan

Miller. The ball into backhands. -- in two hands. Some of these tackles

are close enough is good enough I think. Davidson. Does his best. Four

against two if they keep their heads together. He has already scored a

try, beyond one man, big handoff and that is the second. Against all

expectations, taking on the glamour team from France. What you are

seeing is a well-organised team, Watsonians playing as a team. He

takes off, has a go at the sweeper, good handoff, dummy to create enough

space and the final handoff to get over the line. Good individual

finish but a team try. Had the patience to keep the ball under

pressure in their own 22 and eventually gone the length of the

field to get the score. At the moment it is advantage Watsonians.

On the field, Parker was called up to the Scottish development squad I

remember Keith Robertson telling me that pre-season training at Melrose

was runner-up that hell, head left, run up the other one come back down.

This view is stunning. -- run up that Hill. You can see how it

nestles in such a beautiful location, this ground. Has a handoff

like a piledriver, little forward pass and it is half-time. This is a

game that Watsonians who won last week are dominating. You can see the

invitational team have come together as an invitational team and are

playing more as individuals. Watsonians are seeing this as a real

focus, two, to Melrose and try to win the title -- to come to Melrose

to try to win the title. These are the tries. Bertram with his fast,

going through, no, this is the second, handoff on one, handoff on

the second, keeps the ball alive and goes over the line. People watching,

you are the former coach, what is the general tactic, is it about

getting wide to wide? Watsonians are playing what I would call a

traditional game of sevens, stretching the opposition, when they

go into the wide channel they have got a runner coming short, trying to

drag in an extra defender, if the defender doesn't come they will put

a player through the space. If the defender does come they will pull it

out and play the other way. Watsonians playing the traditional

brand. We should say hello to all the youngsters from Ballymena rugby

club, got to meet them in the hotel last night. What a break this is,

Drummond all the way through. I cannot believe that try. Actually it

was Scott McKee, went left-to-right -- Scott McLean. It came from the

restart, Watsonians kicking off and winning the ball, came out to McKean

who backed himself. To be fair it was a poor tackle by the French

defender but the great finish by McKean. Unfortunately conversion

drops to the right-hand side. We should not say this, but the

tackling has been poor, the French tackling, you want to put somebody

on the ground if they are attacking. France are renowned for the ball in

hand and having the player, you would think sevens would suit them

but 50% of the game is defending and they don't look keen to be doing

that. This could be the first try by the French team. Gavin Parker, from

Exeter, did well to take it up that right-hand side. You feel the

French, for the sake of pride, have to get back into this match. Long

ball. Just held up. Quick ball. Could this be a run in? Fraser,

there is the try. Cambridge University, playing for the French

invitational team, gives them a little bit of pride. It was a good

take by Gavin Parker down the right-hand side, good defence by

Watsonians. Managed to score that try, now it's interesting, 17-7 with

five minutes to go, if the French team score next it's all to play

for. Went out to the left, tackle, held up, manage to get the ball

back, good ruck, comes to Fraser, the little outside break. In between

two bodies. For in a half minutes left and the kick-off, you can hear

his team-mates not happy. It's the Watsonians Dolly -- tap. Has handed

the momentum straight back to Watsonians. Seventise On the

ascendancy with the score, the restart but it go straight out.

Fraser comes off, the try scorer. Watsonians. Too slow.

Not happy. This is the chance for revenge, the big man who thinks he's

just been punched. Ways it off. Some or urgency, I think the French

thought this would be easier than it is.

He's isolated. This could be trouble. It will be a penalty. You

have spoken about this a lot, if you go into contact by yourself you are

going to get turned over. Yes, we spoken about it before, it's

invitational team, Seventise. Here Watsonians are well organised bids

were and putting them under pressure and the French are struggling to

deal with it -- well-organised defensively. Lambert. The number

six. Callum Black, of Edinburgh Accies, give it out wide, penning

his ears back and if you get under the posts he gives his team a

chance. Two minutes left, this will be 17-12, if the conversion goes

17-14. They have totally changed their attitude. They have had the

ball in hand and looking as though they are now up for the game. Good

finish by the big man. Conversion, 17-14, all to play for in the last

minute and a half. The kick-off is clinical. Good knee left, could not

be caught and put the ball between the posts, vital kick-off now. Too

far. Giving the ball straight back to Watsonians so they are in

complete control. Taking it into the wide channel. Why do you want to

play in the wide channel? Because it stretches the defence and it starts

to create opportunities, Bertrand coming through on an inside line.

Lazy pass away, Watsonians had everything in their grasp. Lambert

with the kick and chase, this could be a turn up, gives it away. The

French, this could be one of the great turnarounds in Melrose rugby

because they looked as though they were a team here relaxing and now

they are in the lead. Watsonians contributed to that themselves.

Great vision, the kick through and the off-loads and well finished.

19-17 with the conversion to follow and probably not enough time for the

kick-off. You don't want to be too critical but it was their way

Watsonians came out with the ball, they were not aggressive or decisive

enough. You either need to go forward or keep hold of possession

by backing off. Got caught doing neither and were punished. The game

is not over, Watsonians have two win this and keep it. Taken up by Ewan

Miller. Rory Steele. Out to Bertram. This is an incredible game.

Ewan Miller. Wide channel, to wide channel. Bertram, halfway through,

this could be incredible! They thought they were going to lose the

game but Watsonians in the dying embers of what has been a bright

match have sent the French out, the French superstars going out in the

last move of the game. Great finish by Bertram, showed his power, real

patience and discipline. Came wide, created the opportunity, back in,

have a gap Bertram and he used his strength and power to go through and

clinch the winning score. What a game that was and there are more of

them to come. Seventise, the French invitational team are out. Let's

join Andi Burke track-side. I have representatives of both teams, we

will start with the French team manager, must be disappointing? Very

cruel, they did a great job in the second half, very disappointed for

the boys. Watsonians at a very good team so good luck for them for the

rest of the tournament. Contrasting emotions, your boys pulled it out of

the bag? We worked hard together, we knew they were going to be a tough

opposition, it was about having the belief to work hard for each other.

The defence was pretty solid and we got through towards the end luckily.

Happy with the result, have to just keep working. Well done.

COMMENTATOR: This is the sixth of the eight times in the second round,

Melrose, the home side in white. A dropped pass right away.

If pieces have gap he likes to have a go. Absolutely, he has got pace,

determined to put on a show. Currie have played an earlier game and can

use that to their advantage, Melrose coming in a bit cold and have been

caught cold at the moment. Great run by big Travis Brody. Not quite

making it. Ali Miller, if memory serves me correctly is a Scotland

under 20 cap. Bruce Calderwood the throw, the man who calls the song,

where he goes, he will have to go, but that was a very good chase back

by Carrie. Particularly by Cameron Gray, using all his pace to get back

and slow the Melrose attack. Out again along the line. Wild pass at

the end, it breaks down when they pass goes slightly off target.

Disappointing finish, good break by the Scotland sevens player, did not

panic when he got in behind. Retained possession, good recycling,

out wide, but unfortunately a poor pass to Ali Miller. Lovely line-out

work again by Travis Brody, the big Auckland. Going back to New Zealand

next week to continue his life as a police man in the Auckland police

service. Lovely footwork. Good covering by Melrose. I have to say

the Melrose guys were back very well, trying to get the line

organised. Look at the wee man with the sidestep, look at him go. Almost

through. Despairing tackle by Bruce Colvin. Good running again by

Currie. Here goes big Brody, inside, outside. What a try for Currie.

Lovely passing and teamwork in the build-up to the try. Very good

patience by Charlie Shiel when the ball came out to that wide channel

and he had nowhere to go. I would wide to big Brody, very strong, ball

back inside and great support by Harvey elms to pick it up and a

great finish. The conversion goes wide.

This will be a great memory for him to take back to New Zealand, playing

in the Melrose sevens. Melrose have the ball. Beautiful running. Nice

stuff. I out to Colvin. Way he goes. Listen to the crowd getting behind

the home team. Lovely linking up, Irvin Hess puts the foot down and

away he goes. Lovely driver Melrose. -- lovely try for Melrose. Samper

the conversion follows. Great finish. Interesting challenge, both

of these teams playing fifteens last weekend in the play-offs and trying

to transition quickly into sevens. Pace and power to go under the

posts. It's the little burst of pace which takes you away from the

incoming tackle which is very important. Nice restart, Melrose

will get it, or will they? Yes they have. Early are knock-on by Melrose,

they come together for the scrummage. Great aerial skills by

Neil Irvin Hess. Harvey elms quickly down on the ball. Scrummage to

Currie, chance to attack. He is Harvey elms again. This boy can run.

Kind bounce for Currie, got them out with a bit of trouble. Look at that.

Under pressure gets it back, here they come again. Melrose almost

there. The try in the corner. Ali Miller gets the touchdown. Easy

finish for Ali Miller, three or four metres, again, good work. Couple of

turnovers by Melrose to Currie, Currie tried to play out of their

own 22 and made them a mistake. Backed himself, the ball in two

hands. Interesting, tackled, letting the ball go, picked it back up some

made another few metres. And that is half-time. Ali Miller in the

picture. Back to the studio. I am not in the studio, I am at the

side of the pitch with Melrose legend Doddie Weir, Melrose ahead

will make the crowd happy if they go and win? I think so, especially

people from Melrose. Lovely to have a Borders team, there are many

Borders team still in the competition which helps the

atmosphere. Let's talk about the invitational teams, the Belgian

international team look impressive, the French did not have it. They

didn't, but Belgium did look very good, the way they are playing, they

understand the game very good and had a great win in their first game.

The French were just a bit under par but saying that Watsonians have done

very well in the competition. They are on the way up at the moment, so

they were against a hard team, no disgrace. The crowd were behind them

but unfortunately they take no further part in this competition. I

am not allowed to ask you about you winning this competition back when,

the 1700s? I do have the medal, and I think I am winning the best

addressed today. You think? Let's enjoy the second half. LAUGHTER

COMMENTATOR: Would you listen to those two? The game back under way,

Bruce Colvin gatherers. In the bright sunshine which has been with

us all afternoon, no corner by Currie but the referee plays

advantage. -- knock-on by Carrie. Change of pace, Harvey elms did

well. Lovely running. Dropped it. Isn't that just like the thing, got

in the clear and it squirted out of his grasp. I think he was thinking

about how he would celebrate. On the deck, the vision to off-load it.

I think George Taylor is the Melrose hooker in the middle of all that. He

is back, just a young lad. You quite often get that, backs in fifteens

will play in the forwards to try and get a bit more pace in there. Currie

earned a penalty on halfway. Back it goes to Ainslie, the

handoff. Currie building up patiently. This is better, three

times he's been involved in this movement, McPhillips. Back it comes,

Charlie Shiel, can he get another one, great score, great scorer for

Robbie Neilson. Perfect teamwork, support play and not panicking under

pressure. Keeping the ball alive and not allowing a contact point for

Melrose to apply pressure. You saw Stephen Ainslie with some very good

footwork, stepping inside twice and keeping the ball alive, Charlie

Shiel with the dummy and then the great insight support. The difficult

support line to most defend in sevens. Defenders tend to get lazy

and nobody picked it up. Curried the game underway. -- Currie

get the game underway. Floated pass almost intercepted. Handing off like

Frank Bruno with a straight left. David Colvin if I am not mistaken.

Melrose trying to find the gap. There is one. The man who will

exploit it, Richard. Great off-load to keep it alive. Melrose have

reorganised. Ali Miller can use it. He is strong and fast and look at

him go, will he need support? He doesn't. Great piece of running by

Ali Miller, trying to get behind the goal post for the easier conversion,

he touches down just before he goes out over the dead-ball line. Good

angle by Ali Miller to come on that line through the middle.

Interesting, the under 20 number eight against the under 20 number

scrum-half. The ball spinning past the left-hand

upright, still a 5-point advantage for Melrose. Currie opened the

scoring in the second half but Melrose have clawed their way back

with two and a half minutes to go. This is a crucial time in this game.

Travis Brody gets it. Trying to blow away a couple of would-be tacklers.

Out to the left, out of a wide left-hand side. Bring it back again,

chance here. They can go, Brody is the but Ainslie decided to go on his

own. Penalty. Excellent tackle and got back to his feet over the ball.

Currie did not fully sit there for a penalty and a chance for Melrose to

slow things down a little bit. Only one score between the sides, it

could go either way. This is David Colburn. Bruce Colvin. Ainslie has a

flap with the tackle. Ainslie goes down with one hand like

a big digger tried to pick it up. It's a fine line, did he need to try

to off-load the ball? He's just given possession back to Currie with

one last opportunity. Richard Smith and is on. -- Richard

only got 50 metres to go, and you go. Here he goes, he will have a go

at it. Such a big man. Currie lacking any real pace, having to

work hard to create the score. It went forward, that was crucial

because they have scored tries through very patient and long

build-up and that was another one in the making. A real balance between

team tries and individual tries, individual tries are great because

they give you relief if you are attacking team. Unfortunately Currie

don't look like they have the players, all the tries they have

scored have been real team effort. Charlie Shiel at stand-off. Nelson

at centre. And that's full-time, too late for a

Currie, a win for Melrose. The host team go through into the

quarterfinal. They will meet the winners of the previous tie, they

will meet Watsonians and that will be a cracking game.

I'm joined by the Melrose coach. John, the supporters will be very

happy with that result? Yes, it's always a difficult tie. Currie were

very good especially defensively and they'd make Mac -- they made us work

really hard. Does it bring any added pressure, being the home side? It

does, a lot of supporters come up to Melrose and they are not here for

the rest of the year. We can probably start to relax a bit after

that performance. Good luck in the next round.

STUDIO Absolutely fantastic day here.

Beautiful weather, lots of people there in fancy dress having a

wonderful time. It's all going off here at the Greenyards. Lots of

rugby today. COMMENTATOR: This is Marr against

Herriots. This will be an interesting tie. They have played

some good sevens, to be fair to them. This will be a good challenge

for Heriots. Showed a bit of pace in the opening tie. Baird. Angus

Johnstone. Then Johnstone with the scrum cap. Twins, I would have

thought. Some big beef from the Heriots side. Tom Wilson is at

scrum-half for Heriots, he has played here for Melrose in years

gone by and he also had eight spell with... They are still attacking

towards the 22. Colin Sturgeon just trying to wrong-foot -- wrong-foot

the defence. Referee Neil Patterson says the ball has gone forward.

Heriots ball. That is how close they are to be Heriots try line, only

seven or eight metres away. They have had a really good season in the

second tier of Scottish rugby and they are looking forward to a

play-off, Wilson with the put-in. They have got Harry Boisseau out on

the wing and he is a flyer. Great tackle, great covering tackle by

Bickerstaff. Smith now, gives it to Mulligan. Mulligan with a sweatband

on. A bit of defensive distress there but that covered back well.

Heriots with the patient build-up. He goes through on his own, he's

just made it! Not the tallest of men but he got the vital touch, first

blood to Herriot. -- Heriots. A good break from their own half and

finished strongly here. It takes a lot out of you, even running from a

few yards in. Out on the field, very warm indeed. Certainly wasn't the

best drop kick conversion there, a missed conversion, a 5-point ball

game with Heriots going to restart and very interesting to see what

they do with possession here. Tom Wilson just got a sniff of that half

gap and he was through it just like that. Lovely view there. Looking

from behind the goalposts down towards the River Tweed and. At the

back is the big marquee, which hosts a lot of festive tea is and

partying, Post-sevens partying. Bickerstaff gives it back to Baird,

he is a wee wiry customer. Looks like they're going to have to pin

him down and shackle him. They get it wide, good line. The Johnstone

boys are there, Angus and Ben. Both of them wearing the black scrum

caps. You will hear that a lot from the referees, tackle, release. When

you make the tackle, you must release the ball to allow them to

play the ball. Here is Fraser Grant. He thought he saw a door opened but

the door closed thinly in his face. Bickerstaff with Johnstone outside

him. This is a chance for Bickerstaff on the left and

Johnstone will get the touchdown. That is the equaliser. They've

obviously got a lot of support in this Melrose crowd, because that has

raised a huge cheer. Lovely try. 5-5. Good finish, there. Pace and

power down the outside. Good last-ditch tackle. It was Angus

Johnson, number one, who got the touchdown. -- Johnston. That clock

gives you a rough idea of how far they have to go, but look at the

lay-off there. It might have been a bit of a wing and a prayer but Angus

Johnston was there to take it. Some big men on this team, take a lot of

stopping. There is Chris Mulligan. Heriots again working the ball into

the space. Light footwork and acceleration, now Rae again, chance

for Marr. A lot of tired bodies out there for Marr defensively. Great

footwork but unfortunately the ball didn't get a hand and now a knock-on

in their own 22. Stevie was speaking about Premiership rugby for the

Heriots. It's a difference in what they have experienced as 15 A-side

players in the season, but obviously Marr throwing all caution to the

wind here and giving as good as they get. They have done themselves and

their club proud, Marr, being here. Tom Watson forced into touch. The

referee wants them to take that throw again. Three men in that

line-out, sometimes they just have a couple. The throw in by Grant Baird,

back it comes to Baird again. A change in tactics.

Boisseau is back covering. Heriots have their chances. Wilson trying to

size up their options, on the Heriots ten metres line. There is

Carmichael, a long ball to the far side. He glides and just sort of

slips through gaps, Mulligan. Didn't fancy bringing it this way.

Boisseau looking for runners. A very good tackle. It was on Rudy

Carmichael and he will know all about that one. Mulligan trying to

break the tackle. Well played to Fraser Grant. Marr have not released

the tackle, they have conceded the penalty. That was tight. Didn't

release the ball when he was at the back of his feet and now it is a

penalty. Here come Marr again. Wilson, the wee playmaker. Smith is

on the inside. Clarke Smith, can he get there? After some very patient

build-up work, Heriots get the try and that puts them ahead. You look

at the body language of the Marr players now and they are very tired,

looking forward to the half-time break. Rehydration is very important

in any game, whether you are in the wet or the dry but particularly on a

day like this. The players are perspiring a lot and it is very warm

out there on the field. Played up through the middle, good off-load.

It comes to the man on the outside. There is that inside pass, difficult

to defend. It is a good score. He's such a big man. By the time you've

tackled him two or three times your beginning to feel pretty tired.

Looking at the crowd here, having a beautiful day, just in front of the

main stand, the sun is shining, all enjoying themselves. They're not

only enjoying what they are seeing on the pitch, they have got

beautiful surroundings, as I said before. And the opportunity to be on

television for them. There is a big television monitor, a huge screen

down the way to the left. They can all see themselves on it but you can

see they are enjoying it, sunglasses on and basking in the warmth. We are

at 20 to four in the afternoon. This is Heriots kicking off in the second

half against Marr. It is Marr's scrum half, Grant Baird, who gets

the ball. Out it goes along the line. Doesn't quite have the

blistering pace needed but he is persistent. Look at that, where are

you? Get out the road! This wee lad, Grant Baird, knows what to do. This

is a very good try in the making for Marr, if they can get there. Kyle

Vallance, did he go into touch? There is Kyle Vallance, who has

appeared as a sub. Well, did he make it or not? That is a big decision.

The high tackle has prevented what would have been a definite score

given. As a result, Neil Paterson has gone under the sticks and it's a

penalty try. Five points to Marr, and Herriot 's may rue that, because

the original try would have been out on the touchline but now' Marr has

an opportunity to extend their lead. Colin Sturgeon with the conversion,

14-10 to Marr. Here it is. Talk us through this one, then. Vallance has

just come on, high tackle, no grounding. That's an interesting

decision. That is obviously what the touch judge and the referee decided.

They try would probably have been scored. The decision was correct.

I'm sure there will be a debate about it later on. Now, what can

they do? There are some tired lads out here. This wee fellow, Grant

Baird, has really given a tremendous performance. Ben Johnston, as strong

as a horse on the touchline there. You see the pressure starting to

mount an Heriots, two breakdowns and two penalties in a row they have

given away. There is a nervous looking Marr bench. He will be a bit

worried. With his team leading by these four points. It is still a

long time to go in seven aside rugby. Marr have got it again, Grant

well tackled by Carmichael. The ball went back, or did it? The referee

says it went forward. Not an thereby a Marr player, Bickerstaff I think

it was. You just see that Marr are starting to get tired, no depth in

their attack outside the original breakdown. You look at the Marr

bench and they will be anxious. Here is Wilson, with the put-in.

That is on the Heriots 22. The wee number ten at stand-off with the

yellow boots, there he is. Marr pressing up. They have to make their

tackles count. Patients may tell, as Mulligan puts it out this way. In

field they go, Jordan Webster with deep as in. Mulligan. Marr doing be

passing. They have got to get the ball back. Not this time, Heriots

have done very well to get it out to Wilson. They have got 80 metres to

go, a long way to go. They do, they are hoping for one piece of magic or

one missed tackle. To be fair, Marr have defended really well but they

have got to hold out. I bet with your time as Scottish coach you have

been in a similar position, hoping for a piece of magic. Great tackle

by Johnson on Mulligan. Marr takes his time and picks it up. Good

tackle by the fresh lad who has come on. Difficult time here for Marr,

they have to be very careful not to concede the penalty. That was Angus

Johnston, out to his brother. Here they come again, the brothers in

harmony. Come on come he says, get alongside me. As he got the legs to

get there? Yes he has. What a brilliant piece of play by Angus

Johnston and his brother Ben. Brilliant running by the Marr boys.

That has put them ahead by 19 points to ten. You can see how much they

enjoyed that, the two brothers together. Willing the other to go

and keep running. No, you have it back, I'm not running 40 metres!

Long strides by Angus Johnston, difficult to tackle. Suddenly it is

21-10. You get folk who don't like to run the long distances but they

are excellent playmakers. Neither of my brothers enjoyed running long

distances playing rugby, either at school or when they were men! It is

a long way away, 80 metres in front of you and one defender. That is a

very comfy lead, 11 points, for Marr. Heriots up against it. Into

the last minute. Out it comes to Boisseau, he might produce the bit

of magic. What he taken out? I think so, penalty. Boisseau trying to

create something, but the kick ahead and I think the two Marr boys just

closed the gap. You want it as far up the field as possible. Simmons is

the wee playmaker. John Ray in the middle of it. Putting unnecessary

pressure on Tom Wilson, here's the captain. Can he score captain's try?

A wee sidestep and a shimmy, lovely play. Great stuff from Boisseau,

what a pass. Out the act door it went. That was a beautiful piece of

play by Heriots. Brilliant work by Wilson, the captain. Stepped back

inside. The score was converted and it looks

like the referee is going to give them time from the restart. Well,

we've seen some ties today which have been won at the death, so to

speak. Will this be another one? It's going to be about the last

play. Heriots have got the ball and that is what matters. The referee

was very close to calling it as a maul and that would have been a

turnover but they managed to get possession. I think they could have

fought a bit harder to hold them up. Here come Heriots. Knight picked up

by Mason. Going to feed it out. He has got Wilson out wide! The pass

went all over the place! This is an important tackle. In the corner...

Big, powerful lad. Heading for the corner. Heriots with the upper hand

although they are trailing on the scoreline. There goes Webster. Out

it comes, that is a vital tackle by Marr, and another couple of tackles

by Marr. Oh! They have won their turnover but they have conceded a

penalty. Great tackle but then they went off the field which did not

allow Heriots to play. Unfortunately it's a penalty, so they are playing

away. Heriots have had two chances and both times they have messed it

up. Is Rae going to go through? Not if Marr have anything to say about

it. What a catalogue of errors, what a pantomime. This is more like it,

Webster in the corner for the winner! Is there! He has got it. He

has got it! 22-21. What a finale to that tie. Look, it can be a cruel,

cruel game. Marr would have thought they had the game won, Heriots

scored that try and converted it. They have got possession back and

they have retained it. Great off-load round the back. Great

finish. So there we are, then. By the narrowest of margins, Heriots go

through, having beaten Marr by 22 points to 21. That was a great tie.

STUDIO Yes, real skin of the teeth stuff,

Heriots through to the next round. Glasgow not here, they won the last

two years and this was them in the final last year against Germany.

They won that match 36-21. Absolutely fantastic side it was as

well. Glasgow not there, but can Edinburgh do the same thing as

Glasgow? The other pool team in Scotland. Can they do that here at

the Greenyards? Direction GHA will have something to say about it!

COMMENTATOR: They sure will. It's going to be GHA on the left. They

have got Damien Hoyland, who can run rings past most people. That was

some game we just watched, because we had both written Marr off. Very

cruel game, John. You've got to go right to the end. A bit disappointed

the referee played so many minutes at the end, but that is the game.

We're on for a very exciting game. It's going to be interesting,

because acrid temp too had a good game in the first round and they

have got a game under their belt and Edinburgh are coming in what we call

cold. Chris Dean, sevens player, has Hoyland outside him. The cow much

more quickly the professionals are onto the ball. Old Scotland under 18

player, great player in his day but now a physiotherapist. You've got

the classic case here of the professionals up against the

amateurs and everyone expects Edinburgh, as Glasgow did the last

couple of years, to blow everyone away. But they going to have to win

these games if they are to do that, as well. Watching Edinburgh last

week, their defence, they are sharp. A bit of pace and a bit of

confidence to play with. Dean just knocked on, nothing quite going

Edinburgh's way. Beautiful day here at Melrose, sunny day. The perfect

menu for what is the perfect game in the modern era now, the Olympic

sport of sevens. Look at that, you cannot beat that shot, 10,000,

11,000 people here basking in the spring sunshine. Edinburgh are the

exception but a lot of the other teams here today will not have

played in front of so many people and that just adds a wee bit of

confidence, a wee bit of showboating. Good running here. That

is an incredible break by the former sevens star himself, and the two

brothers are on the field and he just went right the way through some

pretty slack defending by the professionals, and the first try to

GHA in the first two minutes. Very silky running. He was the stand-off

at one stage in the Glasgow setup. There is a lot of rugby in Peter. As

you mention, GHA are an amateur team. Good step, there. A bit of gas

as well. That's what you need, a good combination of those things, a

step and a bit of gas and able to hand off if required. But also,

playing against a professional side, that sometimes obscure game by ten

or 20%. Taken by Baird, who is on the ten metre line. That was George

Turner. We saw George Turner play a great game down at Wales. Dean

straight back into it. The power of Chris Dean, the captain, just too

much strength for GHA. Turner started it and then Dean, the

captain, eight good sevens player and making his name in the Edinburgh

team. He has played a game and scored a try at the near post and

that is what he'd deserved! Good goal! But that goal gets no points

in this game, young man. Is that payback? Are you saying that's

payback because he wasn't playing the game by the rolls, by the

spirit? This is Turner. And there is the off-load, to Dean. Striding

through the tackle. This is where Edinburgh support of the ball,

running with the ball in hand. They are now into their stride, aren't

they? Sam Baird. I think they are saying enough is enough and we will

let you have the one try. They have got the likes of Baird and all these

players, and there is the drop-kick. Edinburgh looking pretty comfortable

now. Time off for injury at the moment. Sometimes this is what

happens, strong running. We talk about it quite often hear on the

commentary, it's the support that scored a try and they are certainly

doing that well at the moment. Some strong runners breaking the first

line of defence, the second one coming on at pace, at speed. Good

angle taking the ball. Just too quick for GHA. Let's not forget...

Oh, that's bad news. That is Grant Nielsen coming off. No one likes to

see an injury and let's hope he's fine. Let's hope it's just a short

time off from the game. Hoyland can really fly. Oh boy. Outside, that is

pace. That just shows you, when you know you have got someone who can

fly on the wing, beautiful try by Edinburgh, round the outside. Pace

and power in abundance, there. Very simple, along the line, not much on

and backing yourself, the ball in the correct hand for the handoff

twice. There's nothing much you can do apart from make the tackles.

Acrid temp to have got to not let their heads go down too much or this

could be a big score. We have seen him as a good kicker in the

fifteens, and Nathan Fauliss can run and pass and he has got a good route

on him. The defence is good in the fifteens for Edinburgh, they won't

miss too many tackles. Saying that, the first three minutes they were

struggling. They have just found their pace.

He goes through the pros again. Needs support, quick ball. Oh!

Another break by Dean. Hoyland comes up the inside. He can dance on a

sixpence. He looks up and found Turner, Turner there as well to

break. Baird, going to be a penalty. Given back to Dean. Dean, the ball

in the one hand, he skipped three people and off-loads. Straight

through and Edinburgh again just showing enough class to put GHA a

bit to the sword in this first half. The first half of this really key

game. I think everyone will be watching, wanting to see how

Edinburgh can do, will they be the same as the Warriors? They will be

very confident in what they do. The drop outs have been spot on, his

running and passing and his awareness. But that last try was set

up by Strauss, he understands the game. Able to see where the ball was

and able to win the ball back for Edinburgh Accies score. I am here

with the Heriot's coach, his team sneaking through, you must have been

relieved? The boys did well, just kept going, looks like we ran out of

gas a little but kept going until the end which was pleasing. We think

you might face Edinburgh, what have you made of their performance so

far? They are being pushed all the way by GHA, they scored a good try

at the start but Edinburgh look pretty strong. A lot of good

ballplayers with pace and power. If it is Edinburgh we will have to try

and match them. But it's not over yet, GHA are giving them a run for

their money. Thank you for joining us.

GHA playing right to left, the professionals against the amateurs.

Coming up to 4pm here at the Greenyards, little venue. --

beautiful little venue. That's what you do, you praise

somebody, and just as we were seeing how well he is playing, and he has

played really well, but just put that one straight into touch.

Edinburgh ball. Cracking short ball to turn, brought to ground,

knock-on. It will be a scrum to GHA. That's the difference in the sides,

Edinburgh Accies in a lot of opportunities for themselves,

understanding the game a little bit more, being more creative as well

because they are offering space and when they come onto the ball they

come on with power as well. But they do make mistakes. GHA have the ball.

Straight out to the side to Tom Galbraith who is dumped by Turner.

Penalty for not releasing. Up to half way almost. Grant Suttee

cannot compete. You have two stay up, you cannot just Bridge in,

cannot just dive in and put your body beyond the ball. Another

penalty to GHA. Lots of running in him. Leeds

helpers off the shoulder. -- needs. Straightens up and sees the posts,

gets dragged down, beautiful off-load. This is GHA with the good

fight back. That is the way to do it. Come on at pace, when you get in

the tackle off-load. The referee allowing the pass off the ground,

good supporting drive. It's all about the support. If you have the

support in sevens you go on to score points. This time using his boot to

good advantage. Just supported the ball carrier. We reckon 10,000,

11,000 people of all ages, all well-behaved, enjoying this great

spectacle. he started it and he finishes it at

the other end for Edinburgh, great team try. Very good team try. Direct

running at some stages by the big men but when they want to open it up

they can. The hard work done 50, 60 yards by this man. He has been

instrumental in making Edinburgh win this tie at the moment. 29-14, three

minutes left. Too much power and pace, he started it and he finished

it. When you were playing, you could think you were back in it, we

thought GHA were back in it, but one try puts that distance and the heads

go down. But they have still got a chance. I know Gregor Townsend says

you don't count the try until really... I think he might be

nicknamed Krakatoa because that was and there is the knock-on... This is

when you get hit to win you don't know where it's coming from. He can

see where it's coming from because the ball came from his left and the

tackle came from blindside right. You also have to thank the person

who passed you the ball! The hospital pass. Yes. Too easy, he's

already scored one and look at the power. Just drifted out, ball to his

right hand side, hand off with the left and he looks like a good

player. He does and he is. Makes it so easy. I don't know about you but

I think Edinburgh look like the best team so far. Belgium worked OK.

Melrose will be fighting tooth and nail to stay in the competition. But

so far Edinburgh look the most complete team, with that be fair? I

would agree with that. You have stars in the side, people who can

run, people who can handoff, people who have a lot of understanding in

the game. Belgium could come into the game as well, that would be

quite exciting and the Borders sides will be playing with grit and

determination. This is the last second round game. Some very good

teams in the quarterfinals. Makes his man turn, just too far to go.

Well rescued. Strauss picks it up. David to Dean and he knows if he

just keeps going, this is good courage by some of these GHA

players. Chasing back. They can take some heart, the GHA

players, not giving in. Behind but playing right to the final whistle.

The only arbiter of time is the referee, I don't think he is hooked

up to our time, it is his time they play too. They have just been told

that is it. Edinburgh Castle winners, 36-14. -- Edinburgh

comfortable winners. STUDIO: Edinburgh look like good

winners, the most impressive teams so far. The second round is

complete, the quarterfinal coming up very soon indeed.

Watsonians won this competition 20 years ago this weekend, and they are

going very well, knocking out the French side fairly comfortably.

Heriot's getting through by the skin of their teeth.

It all carries on to the live-action, people sitting in the

sunshine and enjoying some fantastic play and you are enjoying it here on

BBC Two Scotland. Stay with us all afternoon, this is the first of the

quarterfinals, Edinburgh Accies against Gala. Gala last won this

competition in 1999. COMMENTATOR: Both teams looking to

get their name on the couple because they've not done it for some time.

Trying to get away from you and Scott.

Lovelier running. He's a very willowy runner, gliding through the

gaps. Talented player, played full-back for Scotland under 18 's

last year. Accies building up very patiently. Looking good. Just been

forced out into the corner. That was a great tackle by James Parker. Look

at the muscles on that guy. He is all power. It was that power which

forced the touch in the corner. Great cover tackle by Jamie Parker.

Looking at both the teams, slightly different, Gala look a lot more

physical than Edinburgh Accies. There might be a contrast in styles

here. Long throw over the tale came to nothing.

Jack Patterson in the distance. One is a prop the other is the winger

today. Chance for Accies up the narrow side. That could be him in at

the corner. Good try for Accies. Came from a messy scrummage. Was a

bit of turnover. Good vision by the former Scotland sevens player. Great

food work, stood up the last defender and stretched out for the

scorer. -- footwork. He's done it from the touchline. Young Ben

Appleson adding another couple of points. He gets the try and he

converts it. Great conversion from the touchline, great start for

Accies. They're well having another one if Gala not careful. Scrummage

five metres out. Ewan Scott to the rescue. This is identical position

that the last score came from so interesting to see what Gala do to

try to counter Accies on this occasion.

The ball comes out again. Was it knocked on? I think it was.

Interesting, Gala reckon may have the upper hand in the scrummage and

had a go at the Edinburgh Accies scrum, pressure applied, some

uncertainty as the ball came out. Didn't get down on the ball quick

enough, turnover, Gala scrum. Here is Scott, he is a strong laddie.

Lovely play, Craig dogs. The flick of the wrists to get the ball out to

the far side, James Parker, crashing tackle by jack Patterson. Little

shimmy and wiggle but not enough. Here is Scott. Accies backtracking

as they get into space. Robson. He is either kicked it ahead or had it

knocked out his grasp, could not quite see that the referee says play

on. Seize the gap and goes through it,

he is away. He can relax a little bit, but he doesn't know that. There

we are, touching down under the crossbar. There we go, another try

for Edinburgh Accies. Just shows the way the game can swing. Gala

struggling, their pace man out injured for this tie. Got the ball

in his own 22, stepped inside, saw the gap and managed to go 70, 80

metres. Adds the conversion, full points again, 14-0. There is no

substitution for pace in this game. Accies have got a few players who

can go the length. Accies have won the penalty. It's all about

possession, and angry words to the referee, back ten metres. Off they

go. Gala having to do all the tackling.

Accies in command and control. That is known as the agricultural belt in

the Borders. Young Ben Appleson backing himself, straight through

the gap. That is a high tackle. Brilliant running and a terrible

tackle by Ewan Scott. An absolute shocker. It was high and

unnecessary. Probably in the heat of the moment he's got to go. Correct

decision by the referee. Ben Appleson making the break, just

blindsided high tackle. Not for the faint-hearted. Rightly so the

referee has dealt with that in the appropriate fashion. Two minutes in

the sin-bin. Very difficult defending with six players, believe

me. Good to see Ben Appleson backed up. Gets a round of applause from

the spectators and an opportunity with the extra man for Edinburgh

Accies. Clean through. Without the extra man, without the seventh man,

the Gala defence is a bit leaky. 19-0 with the conversion to come

from in front of the posts. Accies are striding away with this and we

are still in the first half. The first of the quarterfinals.

Difficult enough defending with seven players let alone six. What

will be disappointing for a Gala is they did not make Accies work for

the scorer. He is a great wee player, Alex

Glasheen Eden. The extra two points are so

important as well. Absolutely, we always said in sevens, 22 points was

the key number, if you could get more than three scorers away. Gala

in the huddle, they will be questioning how do you get back in

this game. You have seven minutes, Accies have shown you can score

three tries in seven minutes so Gala will be looking to get hold of the

ball and set the tempo. Accies now the next score is critical survey

will be talking about getting their hands on the ball, getting the next

score and taking the game away from Gala. Gala have done most of the

defending and it's a lot harder than attacking. As you can see from that

glorious shot the weather is still holding here in Melrose. Ewan Scott

who was sin-binned for a couple of minutes for a head high tackle. And

that is the man who scored the last driver Edinburgh Accies. -- the last

try for Edinburgh Accies. I don't think anybody would have thought

this would be the score at half-time, Gala have it all to do

but they have got runners and some good rugby players in the team.

Parker is one of these runners. Patterson has him. Big tackle there.

On Stevie Cairns. The touch judge has his flag up, good defence by

Edinburgh Accies. Parker trying to use his power to breakthrough but

solid defence, lineout for Accies. Lovely take by Accies. Jack

Patterson, tackle by Robson, interception by Graham Spiers. Here

come Gala. William tackle there. It was a tries -- try saver. Robson not

quite sure which way to go. Tries to give the runaround but can't. The

head goes back and the disappointment and exasperation.

Work hard to try and create space because they are a man down. That's

him coming back on now. Looks as though Ewan Scott will remain off

the field. Dwayne Burrows replacing him. They are back up to full

complement. Edinburgh Accies able to capitalise on Galashiels being a man

down. Simon Fairbairn is on as number ten. Noted

little sidestep. Brilliant interception. Gala still have,

Burroughs, big and strong and relatively fresh. Here they come,

Graham Spiers with pace. Lovely try by Graham Spiers for Gala. That is

their first try in this quarterfinal, they need another two

to get level or anywhere close to Edinburgh Accies. Good finish by

Graham Spiers. Just over four minutes to go. 21-7, two converted

tries in it. Just another short. It was a magnificent conversion. It was

and they are critical as we said. What is a centre doing in the thick

of that? He will be wondering that himself. That's the beauty of

sevens, you need to be interchangeable, every player on the

field needs to be able to deal with the kick-off. Takes it up, tackle by

Craig Keddie who has come on as a replacement for Galashiels. Here

goes Ben Appleson, that is brilliant running. The change of pace, little

wiggle and one goal and then the change of pace. That surely has

sealed Galashiels fate? What are try. Outstanding, tucking it on the

left-hand and a little goose-step and under the post. His father

played sevens for Scotland years ago and he will be proud to see that.

He's a very exciting young player. Played for Scotland under 18's last

week. Great to see him coming out here and expressing himself. And

having the confidence in the senior game to do that sort of stuff is

tremendous. Granted there is more space but he has the confidence to

do it. What can Galashiels do now because that was a ball out of the

blue. Accies have stolen the ball again. The whole of Gala waiting for

them. Evans has come on for Accies, number ten. That looked as though it

might have gone forward. Gala with advantage. Accies with the ball.

Here they come again. Trying to get outside.

Good pick-up, Graham Spiers, that is the right tactic, kick and chase.

Graham Spiers has the pace you see. Evans doesn't. It's a long way, well

the ball bounced kindly, watch it closely, he is there. Another great

try by Graham Spiers for Gala. That might be a lifeline. Gala turned the

ball over, Graham Spiers with great vision, knew the sweeper wasn't at

home. And then great pace, and converted, 28-14 with a minute to

go. Here, Gala again. Has to release. Just a rush of blood to the

head. Very good defence by Accies to get over the ball. Had ago, got

isolated, had no support so held onto the Accies got over the ball

and that is probably the game. Accies again taking their time and

working this ball the way they want. Gets the ball back cleanly, look at

that, out it goes. They have a decent margin between them and Gala,

so they bring on fresh legs to try to keep the tempo up, not do

anything silly. Put down in a thumping tackle but Accies going

away at the far touchline. Little one round the back. I don't think it

was what he meant, penalty coming Accies way. Penalty out and a good

victory. The Gala defender taking the Accies player without the ball

so that was a penalty. Great victory for Accies, they are a young team

but looking strong. Very convincing for Accies.

Impressive style, is that your team in Top Gear or is there more to

come? Hopefully there is more to come, second half of the first round

proper we played really well, that was exceptional sevens. Half that

team are under 20, just young boys, a couple of 17-year-olds, it's been

great. Ben Appleson was very impressive, you look to have a

special talent there. Looks like it, has just come back from Wales,

playing under 18 is for Scotland, talented kid. Best of luck in the

semifinals. Thank you. COMMENTATOR: Welcome to the second

semifinal, a small borders town, Jed-Forest from Jedburgh playing

right-to-left in the iconic blue up against Belgium in their national

colours. This will be a great game because Belgium look good and to be

fair Jed looked good as well. Strike runners are very important in the

game of sevens, we are on for a very exciting game. You could also see

that Jed was a country in its own. Back inside to Lewis Young, what a

break. Just commanding display. I've seen him play here a few times and

if you've not seen him play before, Lewis Young, he's got everything

sevens player needs. Size and crucially he has and vision. Belgium

went from a big hit, didn't wrap the hands around him, let him go and

when you do that against this kind of man, the talent he's got, he's

only going to go one way, to the line and score. Sometimes you can

get mistaken for his brother, they look very alike and Campbell run.

Luckily they have different numbers on their back.

That was Lewis Young who played really well last year too. It is Jed

up against the Belgians. The shadows just lengthening, as the ball goes

skyward. They showed enough power to get through Aberdeen Grammar. Some

really good tries in the early game the Belgium. Jed just making it

difficult for the Belgians. He got the spark going for the Belgians in

the first half and he did exactly the same there. Great tackle by

Jedforest. You do that just to try to stop that off-load. Stop the

strike coming in. A big front row for the Belgians. Into this wide

expanse that Jed love so much. Just called for obstruction there.

Harkness just looks on. The Belgians are powerful players but it's all

about sevens expertise and it is Jed playing right to left. Hogg, It was.

Out to Young on that right wing. Harkness always available. This is

him now. Look at that, the ball in his left hand. Inside pass by

Chisholm. Inside to the big front row.

Off-load. That could have been a high tackle too. That is a couple of

silly high tackles. Not moving away too quickly. A couple of high

tackles and Vermont not happy at all, as is his right. He was just

taken out. It is inexcusable there. No excuse for that whatsoever. His

reaction is maybe not quite as quick as they should be but there was no

excuse for that. I think they were trying to get the maul. It's going

to be a Belgian ball. I think he was tackled early, going to be a penalty

to Belgium. It's going to be a sin-binning. I think this was just

tackling before the man had the ball. That just gives Loic enough

space to get the Belgian try number two. He has been on the try sheet

already. Jed have got a man in the sin-bin for two minutes, make the

advantage count. He seems to be taking his time, Loic Lechien. Well

spotted. Here is the penalty. Five and a half minutes gone, Jed 5-7

Belgium. This is the try. It all came as the man was heading away,

through the man, good try by Lechien, just taking advantage of

the extra space. Young had his eyes on the kick. Lechien. Confident on

the ball. He keeps changing pace, changing direction. Now to the big

man on the far side, huge man. This could be over the line again and it

is all Belgium now, isn't it? Is another's sin-binning. This is

extraordinary. This is going to be Jed down to five men for two cynical

penalties. The big man goes for it, well tackled. Hold him up, don't let

the ball out. Justifiably a yellow card. That is two men down. This is

the playmaker. Knocked on by the Belgian. Harkness. Can Jed conjure

something out of real adversity? Dancing behind their own try line.

This could be weight of numbers, Belgium trying to get the ball. This

is extraordinary, five against seven. Five against seven, I have

never seen this before in my life. This is Loic Lechien, Harkness, his

side two men down. He can afford to waste a bit of time! If ever there

was a bit of time to waste, putting the ball between the posts, this is

it. He's been sporting he's put the ball down now. He's been there and

done it before, he knows what it's all about. So,

Jed two men down and winning at half-time against Belgium. Finding

quick man but when you have got five players against seven, you can

afford one against one. Belgium should be kicking themselves for

that one. I'm sure they will be. It has been a nice warm sunny day and

we have got some great games coming out. Edinburgh Accies through to the

semifinal. Next up, what Sony and against Melrose. And then an all

conquering Edinburgh side. We will bring you the final. This is one of

the great tournaments in the world. One of the is that we don't have

though many of the all conquering overseas teams who come here, it's

much more to do with clubs like Jed, Melrose, bringing your Edinburghs

against an international team like Belgium. Aljamaaheer fought a good

time, it gives the local clubs a chance. You can see the supporters

like that, they love the minnows. What is exciting, we mentioned

before, the fact that we have had five hours of rugby and they are

still keen to keep watching and excited. Your point before the match

was, you could watch this all day. Look at the crowd, it's a different

menu every time. Two teams come on and play different ways. It's a

different menu. A very exciting menu it is as well. Gregor Young. The

ball taken back. Jed trying to turn this over, the big man sends it out.

Van Trappen Hands off one man. It's going to be a scrum to Jed, they

will just take their time and tried to run down the clock. Now six men

against seven. He's coming back like a scalded rabbit. There he is.

Jed... I've never seen that before. Five men... Belgium have to look at

the way they are playing and how they allow that to happen. Every bit

of the game is important but we are entering into an important phase

now. If Belgian get a try now, they are right back in the game. If Jed

can get back on the pitch, it's doubly difficult. It does, and also

the conversion. Try and keep them in the corners. He has a Mac!

-- he has a mesmeric sidestep, Harkness. One of the great sevens

players. We've got to stop praising players sometimes like that because

when we do, they make a massive mistake. My friend to the left's

heart is going... This is good, this is a good game. We talked about

Fraser Harkness before and you mention it, not built for sevens but

it's lovely to see from a sevens player. Van Trappen steps inside,

the Belgian has got a try back. So, Belgian, it was 12-7 and it is now

12-12. They are on the second grade circuit, aren't they? Some of these

players are pretty good and they were a bit overawed by the start

that Jed had, but they are fighting back. Unfortunately there is no real

creation there. Van Trappen did very well. But it was just a loose tackle

by Jed and they can't afford to do that at this level. If you do, this

is what happens. I remember the Glasgow Warriors coach would say you