Scots make impression at Rosslyn Park Sevens

Merchiston Castle School and Dollar Academy performed well at the National Schools Sevens tournament over two days at the famous London club, Rosslyn Park .

Merchiston, who have been regular competitors in the Rosslyn Park Sevens, finished the first day with a perfect scorecard, winning all four of their matches to top their group with victories over Giggleswick School (29-7), Myerscough College (57-0), Dulwich College (27-7) and Neath Port Talbot College 38-0.

That group win meant they qualified for the Cup knockout stage but they lost narrowly to Millfield by 28-22. So Merchiston went into a Plate group, losing to a strong Woodhouse Grove side (24-5) and Barnard Castle (38-17) but scoring a good win over Henley College (24-22).

Dollar Academy finished second in their group stage with wins over Bishop Burton College (38-14), Warwick School (19-7) and City of London Freemen’s (35-5) but in their final match were edged out 24-21 by Bedford School.

North of the Border, last Tuesday’s Caritas Sevens tournament at Myreside was cancelled because of the winter weatherbut has been rescheduled for today when Edinburgh Academy will bid to replicate their success at the Goldenacre Sevens ten days ago.

In 15s rugby, St Aloysius College lost 26-24 to Stirling County but won 54-7 at under-16 level against their Bridgehaugh counterparts to confirm their supremacy this season at this age grade.

Gala Wanderers defeated close rivals Melrose Wasps in the final of the Borders under-18 Cup played on the 3G pitch at Hawick.

Meanwhile Carrick Academy’s school rugby captain, 17-year old Benjamin Brown stepped up to senior rugby by playing at fullback for Carrick in the BT National Shield semi final against Hawick Quins and Brown scored Carrick’s fourth try in their win over the Borderers.