Mill makes his mark as rejuvenated Accies see off Watsonians in final

Edinburgh Accies made it third time lucky as the club lifted the Gala Sevens trophy for the first time with a 21-10 win over Watsonians in an all-city final on Saturday at Netherdale.

Following defeats in finals to Watsonians two seasons ago and Melrose in 2010, Accies delivered a sevens lesson as they scored 110 points in four ties and reserved their best performance for the last game to shock the favourites.

Accies moved into joint first place with Melrose, who crashed out of the tournament when they lost their pool match to Boroughmuir, on 13 points in the Ned Haig Kings of the Sevens table, one point ahead of Watsonians.

Former Melrose player Richard Mill, pictured, in his third season at the club, proved to be the hero in an allround team effort, scoring a try and adding three conversions in the final.

“We have a belief. This is a huge boost for the club and we want to keep it going,” he said. Accies turned on the style in the second half as Watsonians ran out of ideas and steam in a tournament which saw three sides pull out due to league commitments.

They led 14-10 at the break with tries from Ruari Campbell and Max Love, both converted by Mill, to tries from Lewis Berg and Scott Mckean, but Accies’ ball retention and extra pace told in the second half and a further score from Mill, who added the conversion, sealed a successful day.

Accies had earlier accounted for Gala, Edinburgh University and Boroughmuir while Watsonians saw off a Select side, Hawick and St Andrews University.

The win over Boroughmuir, who had earlier knocked out Kings of the Sevens holders Melrose, set up an absorbing final, but Accies proved that they will be an asset on the sevens circuit following a disappointing league season.