Impressive Jed-forest lay down marker with victory in Peebles final

Jed-forest aim to put last season’s disappointing sevens performances behind them with victory in the opening Kings of the Sevens series at Peebles on Saturday on a day when Borders clubs sent out a warning that they mean business this time.

Jed defeated Hawick 26-7 in the final after overcoming Kelso, Selkirk and holders Melrose for their first success at The Gytes since 2000, while Hawick, who have lost all of their four Peebles finals, accounted for Berwick, Peebles and Gala.

The club’s Calum Young, who was awarded the player-of-the-tournament award, said that Jed wanted to atone for last season and they now had greater depth in the squad.

Bruce Mcneil, the Hawick captain, added that it had been a hard afternoon. “I think that everyone just wanted to get the ball in their hands and play a bit of rugby. There were a lot of new faces here and that is good for the game.”

Jed led 14-0 at the interval on a perfect day for sevens rugby with tries from Robbie Shirragibb and Calum Young, both converted by Gary Munro. Gregor Young stretched the lead on the restart followed by a score from Dom Buckley, pictured.

Mcneill scored a consolation try for Hawick, converted by Aaron Redpath, but too late to break the Mansfield Park’s duck at Peebles.

The first of the semi-finals between Jed and Melrose was nip and tuck with tries from Robbie Yourston and Buckley putting Jed ahead before scores by Gregor Young and Calum Young proved crucial.

In the second semi, two tries from Andrew Mitchell put Hawick in the driving seat until Richie Todd and Daniel Nicholson hit back by halftime for Gala, but the Greens held out in a pulsating second half to ease into the final.

Kings title holders, Watsonians, with a much changed side, were pipped for a semifinal place by Gala, who defeated the Edinburgh side in their pool tie.