Scots sink Auld Enemy to retain London Sevens

JUBILANT scotland last night won the HSBC London sevens title for a second consecutive year after a pulsating 12-7 win over england in the final.

And it marked the end of an era for coach Calum Macrae, as well as soon-to-retire pair scott Wight and Mark robertson, who inspired the side to a superb triumph and sparked celebrations at Twickenham (below).

The Auld enemy had taken the lead through dan norton’s superb solo effort before a try from captain scott riddell and another from Hugh Blake capped a courageous third scottish comeback of the day.

Two years after the SRU reversed plans to scrap sevens, the team opened day two with an historic first win over new Zealand — at sevens or 15s — with tries from dougie Fife (2) and Jamie Farndale (2) overturning a 21-0 half-time deficit.

They then beat the USA 21-14, with scores from Fife, Joe nayacavou and glenn Bryce in the semi-finals.

‘it’s crazy,’ said riddell. ‘something like this is just so special.

‘i’m extremely proud of those boys and our friends and family in the stands... i’m lost for words. it was a tough first half for us but we hung on in there, battling, fighting, and we took our chances.’

it was the final tournament for Macrae, before he returns to the 15-a-side game as an assistant coach at edinburgh, as well as Wight and robertson. The Melrose duo now teach sevens rugby across the UK and Wight will take charge of the scotland women’s team.

robertson, an Olympic silver medallist with Team GB, was voted ‘Player of the Final’ despite carrying a shoulder injury.

He admitted: ‘it’s a fairytale. When we (Wight and robertson) were six or seven, we used to slide in front of his house pretending to beat england at Twickenham so to actually do it is incredible.’ riddell added: ‘You couldn’t write this — back-to-back Twickenham titles. i’m so proud of Mark and scott because they have put so much into the jersey.’