Saracens leave it late to retain cup

SARACENS triumphed at the Melrose Sevens yesterday, seeing off Clermont Auvergne in a dramatic final at the Greenyards. With seconds left, Joe Maddock scored a try which Nils Mordt converted to secure a 24-22 victory.

There were no major shocks in rounds one and two, although Gala thumped guest side India 45-0 and Watsonians pushed hosts Melrose close.

In the first quarter-final, Ayr skipper Grant Anderson scored a hat-trick of tries in a 33-17 win over Worcester Warriors. Gala then pushed Clermont Auvergne hard, but the French side had too much quality and ran up a 28-10 win.

The home crowd groaned as Murray Douglas scored the winning try in Aberdeen Grammar’s 17-14 victory over Melrose, while Saracens saw off Heriot’s 31-10.

In the first semi-final Ayr scored two tries, through Anderson and Ross Curle, to give them some hope before Clermont Auvergne eventually came through 22-12.

Aberdeen Grammar were 14-7 up at half-time in their semi against Saracens but the English side went 19-14 ahead. In the dying seconds James Fleming’s try made it 19-19, only for Ben Spencer to score a winning try for Saracens in extra time.

James Short opened the scoring for Saracens early in the final and Nick Tompkins went over soon after for a 12-0 advantage. The French battled back to lead 17-12 at the break.

Jack Wilson’s try for Saracens with a few minutes to go made it 17-17. Jean Ric pounced on the ball before it went dead to put Clermont 22-17 up, but Maddock’s late intervention ensured the trophy headed south again – adding to Saracens’ 50-21 win over Jed-Forest last year.