Edinburgh 7s - 30/5/26

Edinburgh Sevens – 30/5/26

The final, and 11th, “Kings of the Sevens” Tournaments for 2025/26 was the inaugural Edinburgh Sevens co-hosted by Edinburgh Accies, Heriots and Watsonians and played at Raeburn Place. Requiring three points for a potential “countback” victory in this year’s “Kings of the Sevens” Melrose set about gaining the three points by putting Selkirk to the sword by winning the first Pool “A” match by 46-0, then, taking the tally to five points by beating Stewarts Melville 45-7, also in the pool, before reaching seven points by beating Kelso 47-10 in the semi-final.

The final started off with Corey Goldsbrough being yellow carded for preventing Accies from taking a quick lineout and, almost immediately, Robbie Chalmers crossed for a try converted by Charlie Shiell. At the kick-off an Accie was ahead of the kicker with Melrose being given a free kick which Doug Crawford took quickly, chipped the ball ahead and brother Donald Crawford latching onto it to score with Doug Crawford converting. Just short of the break Doug Crawford took a penalty quickly then “squirrled” over for an unconverted try which gave Melrose a 12 - 7 lead at the break.  Following a penalty on the right, early in the second half, Accies spun the ball left with Joe Townshend scoring an unconverted try in the left corner. Accies scored a replica try later on with, this time, Robbie Kent scoring an unconverted try in the left corner. Try as they might Melrose were unable to score again. Victory for Accies gave them 73 “Kings of the Sevens” points, second place and, again, the Cup for the most successful non-Borders team in the competition. Melrose, scoring 77 points, retained the Championship.

This was the last transmission for “Rugby Radio” and “Borders Rugby Television” and grateful thanks for all their efforts over the years are extended to Stuart Cameron and his numerous assistants. Thank you.

Pool “A” - Melrose 46 Selkirk 0; MELROSE 45 Stewarts Melville 7; Selkirk 26 Stewarts Melville 12.

Pool “B” - Kelso 26 Watsonians 17; Kelso 29 President’s VII 12; Watsonians 40 President’s VII 7.

Pool “C” - Gala 34 Jed-Forest 14; Gala 7 Heriots 29; Jed-Forest 5 Heriots 47.

Pool “D” - Edinburgh Accies 49 Musselburgh 0; Edinburgh Accies 19 Boroughmuir 12; Musselburgh 7 Boroughmuir 24.

Semi-finals - MELROSE 47 Kelso 10; Heriots 0 Edinburgh Accies 24.

Final - Melrose 12 Edinburgh Accies 17.

MELROSE Squad - Donald Crawford, Harry Makowski, Hamish Weir, Bruce Colvine, Corey Goldsbrough, Scott Clark, Doug Crawford, Ru Campbell, Connor Spence, Paddy Anderson©.

B.E.Uniforms “Kings of the Sevens” – final results

MELROSE 77 points, Edinburgh Accies 73, Kelso 58, Gala 25, Selkirk 24, Boroughmuir 22, Watsonians 20, Jed-Forest & Heriots 19, Durham University 13, Hawick 11, Currie & Edinburgh University 10, Stirling County & Peebles 8 points.

Thanks to Malcolm Changleng for the superb photos!