Selkirk Sevens draw pits home club against old rivals Gala

THE draw for this Sunday's staging of the Selkirk Centenary Season Sevens at Philiphaugh has thrown up a number of excellent ties, but none will be anticipated as keenly as the first round clash between Selkirk and the 'auld enemy' Gala. On last season's Borders spring circuit, Selkirk lost out to the Maroons in the qualifying round at Melrose Sevens, but gained revenge with a first round victory over Gala at Peebles Sports. And at last year's Selkirk event, the Souters just edged out the Maroons in a no-holds-barred quarter-final tie. Sunday's tournament boasts one of the strongest line-ups seen at Philiphaugh for a number of years. Four teams were seeded in the draw - holders Royal Scots, guest team Cardiff, and top-placed Kings of the Sevens teams Jed-Forest and Melrose. What makes the competition even more wide-open than usual is the presence of so many Division One clubs - champions Glasgow Hawks, Heriot's FP and Boroughmuir all agreeing to help Selkirk celebrate its Centenary Season Sevens in style.
"We're very grateful to all of the clubs for so willingly accepting invitations to participate in this year's special event," Selkirk's sevens convener Bert Duffy told the selkirkrfc.com web site this week.
"A cracking tournament is in prospect, and another special attraction will be the appearance of Selkirk Pipe Band to entertain the crowds prior to the competition getting under way, and again between the last semi-final and the final."
Other attractions include a beer tent and a jazz band playing throughout the afternoon, while at night an over-18s disco will take place. "The one thing we can't have any control over is the weather," added Bert, "but I'm sure the gods will smile on us come Sunday!"

The full draw for Sunday's Selkirk Centenary Sevens is as follows (first tie 1.30pm):

Kelso v Boroughmuir

Langholm v Royal Scots

Hawick v Watsonians

Glasgow Hawks v Melrose

Heriot's FP v Peebles

Berwick v Cardiff

Selkirk v Gala

SRU Junior Academy v Jed-Forest

This article was posted on 15-Aug-2006, 07:13 by Hugh Barrow.