Tuesday, 22 March 2011
The clock was turned back at The Greenyards as Melrose and Tynedale rugby clubs celebrated their historic contributions to Seven-a-side rugby, with the host club launching a YouTube homage to veterans rugby from a BAFTA-winning director.
Former Melrose player and Scotland internationalist Doddie Weir joined up with Steve Turnbull, a club stalwart from Tynedale, in replica 19th century playing strips. The Melrose club invented the abbreviated game in 1883, the idea being credited to Ned Haig a player at the time.  In 1894, Tynedale hosted – and won – the first-ever Sevens competition to be played in England.
 

Steve Turnbull (Tynedale) and Doddie Weir (Melrose)
 
Tynedale are for the first time competing at the Melrose Sevens, entering a team into the Davidson Chalmers Melrose Sevens Veterans Tournament.  This year, in addition to Tynedale, other invitational sides are competing in both competitions from South Africa, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the Cayman Islands.
Tynedale play in National League 1 and have appeared in 27 Northumberland Senior Cup Finals, winning the Cup on 23 occasions.  Last season, the club finished 5th in National League 1, ranking it the 29th team in England.
The event also launched this year’s YouTube video, Melrose Sevens Big Impression, directed by Robert Sproul-Cran, a celebrated programme maker who has won a Royal Television Society award and a BAFTA.  The short film celebrates veterans rugby, reflecting the growing popularity of the Friday veterans event to the Melrose Sevens weekend.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt1WzJO0hF0)
“We’re delighted that Tynedale, who have made such an historic contribution to the game, will be competing this year in the Davidson Chalmers Melrose Sevens Veterans Tournament,” said Andy Drane, a partner in the law firm which is again sponsoring the event.
Tickets for the 128th annual Melrose Sevens (9th April), priced from £20, are available at www.melroserugbyshop.co.uk or direct from the club, and concessions are available. You can also follow the tournament on Facebook or Twitter  (http://twitter.com/Melrose7s#) or go to www.melrose7s.com  Alternatively, get updates via SMS by texting follow Melrose7s to 86444. 
The draw for both the Melrose Sevens and the Davidson Chalmers Melrose Sevens Veterans Tournament will take place at Melrose RFC on Saturday 2nd April.
The Melrose Sevens is once again being supported by the national events agency, EventScotland.
Chief Operating Officer Paul Bush OBE said: “Rugby sevens has a rich history and the growth of the sport to its current global status is testament to the exciting nature of the abbreviated game. We are pleased to be supporting the event through our International Funding Programme, to help attract spectators from far and wide to share the wonderful weekend of rugby that is planned next month.”
Director of Macmillan in Scotland, Elspeth Atkinson, said: “Melrose Sevens is a bit older than us but we have been helping people affected by cancer for 100-years and we are now looking to the next 100 years.  There are around 190,000 people in Scotland living with a cancer diagnosis and its consequences.  Macmillan wants to be there to support them during and beyond their treatment.”
Doddie Weir won six Scottish club championships with Melrose, winning 61 Scottish caps, and playing with the British and Irish Lions.
Steve Turnbull has won county competitions at all levels for Tyndale RFC, including Sevens.
Melrose RFC was founded in 1877 and was elected to full membership of the SRU in 1880.  It has provided 22 internationalists, with Craig Chalmers, the club’s present coach, winning 60 caps.  Melrose Sevens coupled with the name of Ned Haig has been inducted to the International Rugby Board’s Hall of Fame.02011 is the 128th playing of the Melrose Sevens.
Tynedale RFC was founded in 1876, a year before Melrose, as the result of a letter to the non-existent “Captain of Hexham Rugby Club.”  In 1880, Tynedale and five other clubs founded the Northumberland Rugby Union and in 1883 appeared in their first Northumberland Cup Final, finally winning the trophy for the first time in 1887.  In 1894, the club hosted – and won – the first Sevens competition to be played in England.
2011 Melrose Sevens:  Hamilton, Waikato, Hong Kong Scottish, Melrose, Selkirk, Hawick, Kelso, Langholm, Gala, Jedforest, Peebles, Ayr, Heriots, West of Scotland, Watsonians, Boroughmuir, Currie, Dundee HS, Glasgow Hawks, Stirling County, Stewarts Melville, Falkirk, Aberdeen Grammar, Edinburgh Academicals.
2011 Davidson Chalmers Melrose Sevens Veterans Tournament: Cayman Islands & Hawick Harlequins, Hamilton (South Africa), Tynedale, Orkney, Morgan Old Blacks, Edinburgh Accies, Melrose, Islay, Hawks Legends (Glasgow Hawks), Puffin Gannets (North Berwick).
Notes to editors:  Robert Sproul-Cran worked for the BBC before launching his own independent corporate, web and multimedia production company, Northlight Productions.  In 2001, he launched Tartan TV, an overseas showcase for Scotland.  His work has been recognised with a Royal Television Society award and a BAFTA.  He wrote and directed the short film The Elemental which was shown at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and is this year’s British nomination to the International Fantasy Film Festival in Spain.  He is currently project manager for VOMO in the Scottish Borders, helping young people to express themselves through film.

This article was posted on 22-Mar-2011, 20:30 by Hugh Barrow.