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A remarkable Melrose run has seen them power to the top of the Kings of the Sevens winning at both the Gala and Earlston Sevens this weekend.

With just one leg remaining of the 09/10 Series, it looks set to go down to the wire at this weekend’s final event at Jedforest. 

With coach Craig Chalmers able to pick his strongest squad, the Greenyards side were a cut above the rest and have now won three consecutive legs on the 09/10 Series.

Melrose now hold a slim two point advantage over Kelso and Selkirk, with Jedforest still in with a shout in fourth.
Edinburgh Accies were Melrose’s opponents in the final at Gala’s Netherdale at the knockout style format. Craig Jackson looked elusive all day and got on the end of Allan Dodds’ break to open the scoring.

The Accies threatened but Melrose were disciplined and structured in defence and after winning a penalty Scott Wight started and finished a lung bursting move to double the Melrose advantage. Whght was in again just before half-time and at 19-0 Melrose looked comfortable.

Edinburgh Accies, with Scotland Under-20 flanker David Denton, threatened to get back into the game but when Callum Anderson went over for Melrose it was too big a mountain to climb for the Accies.

Drennan and Brown got the Accies on the board but when John Dalziel got on the end of a sweeping Melrose extended it to 33-10 and thats how it remained.

In the semi-finals Accies winger David Rattray impressed, as his side saw off Watsonians in the second round then proved much too strong for Edinburgh University to win the first semi 29-10. In the other semi Melrose cruised past Hawick despite two second-half tries by Greens winger Craig Robertson.

Impressive Melrose comeback

On Sunday at Earlston Melrose turned around a 19-5 deficit against Selkirk in the final, with two second-half tries from Allan Dodds and one by Craig Jackson with Fraser Harkness replying for Selkirk.

Brothers Graham and Allan Dodds and Jamie Murray added further scores with Gavin Craig and Lee Jones replying for Selkirk.

Allan Dodds, scorer of eight tries, collected the Player of the Tournament award.

Apart from being run close by Hawick in the first round (19-14), Melrose looked comfortable all day beating Stewarts Melville (31-14) and Jedforest (26-5) in the semi-finals.