melrose2015

Glasgow Warriors have won the Ladies Cup for the 2nd year in a row after battling back from behind against fellow guest side, Germany in the final to lift the coveted trophy.

After beating Dundee, Gala and Jed Forest en route to the final, the side coached by Kenny Murray were behind 21 / 12 against the Germans but showed grit and determination to run out 36 / 21 winners!

The Warriors kick-started their Melrose 7’s defence with a 2nd round tie against Dundee who beat Stirling County earlier in the day.

After a slow start to the final, last year’s top try scorer for the Warriors in the competition, Rory Hughes darted over and moments later, he rampaged over the line again to give Glasgow a 14 / 0 lead.

After that brace, Glasgow were brimming with confidence and captain, James Eddie touched down to give his side a 19 / 0 lead.

At the break, Niko Matawalu came on and made an instant impact, scoring a converted try using his flair and spark.

The match ended with Rory Hughes racing over for his hat-trick following some sublime Fraser Lyle skill, sealing a 33 / 0 win.

Gregor Hunter made his 1st appearance in a Warriors shirt, coming back from 19-months out injured with a knee injury and was on kicking duty throughout the afternoon.

The shock of the day arrived in the quarter-finals when guest side, Wasps were defeated by the hosts, Melrose much to the home crowds delight.

In their own quarter-final tie, the Warriors took on Gala.

It didn’t go to plan in the opening stages with Glasgow threatening little and Chris Auld capitalised by motoring down the wing, avoiding numerous tackles before diving over.

The Warriors then immediately responded through try machine, Rory Hughes who battled tacklers before reaching out a hand and scoring.

After Gregor Hunter’s conversion, Hugh Blake then showed his speed credentials by stepping out of defenders way before running over the whitewash.

Fresh from his new 1-year deal, Glenn Bryce also touched down before Gala notched a consolation score from George Graham.

Just before the final whistle, some determined play from Niko Matawalu allowed Rory Hughes to be released and score his 5th try of the day.

Lyle converted and the Warriors won 26 / 12 where they faced Jed Forest in the semi-final who had already shone earlier on in the tournament having reached the final of the Gala 7’s last week.

Germany reached the final after defeating hosts, Melrose 22 / 12.

Glasgow’s semi-final didn’t go to plan to begin with when Jed-Forest took an early lead, bursting beyond some defenders.

Glasgow got back into it though, when Glenn Bryce scored 1 of the tries of the day when he fended off defenders before embarking on a run at the halfway line and running through to score.

Rory Hughes then continued his try scoring form and dotted down in the corner with Will Bordill also notching a try.

In the 2nd period, Jed scored another try, putting them within a converted score of winning but the Warriors held on strong with a securing Glasgow’s place in the final against Germany.

Glasgow received some disappointing news before the final match with top try scorer Rory Hughes ruled out through injury meaning Gregor Young from Jed Forest was drafted in for the last match.

In the showpiece event, the Warriors got off to a blistering start with Niko Matawalu running in from halfway and Fraser Lyle also dotted down for the 1st time to put Glasgow 12 / 0 ahead. Germany pulled 1 back before the break and the reigning champions led 12 / 7.

The Germans were a determined outfit and they were soon ahead 14 / 12 after scoring a try.

Moments later their lead was extended and they were 21 / 12 in front.

Despite being behind, Glasgow were resilient with Fraser Lyle barging beyond bodies to collect a converted try.

As the clock ran down, Glasgow were 3 points behind but soon scored through Gregor Young from Jed Forest after jinking play from Niko to put his side 24 / 21 ahead. Murray McConnell then dived over to seal the win and complete the comeback and put the black and blues 31 / 21 up.

The win was then sealed when Niko Matawalu produced an audacious kick which Gregor Young collected and touched down, meaning the Warriors won 36 / 21.

Afterwards Fraser Lyle said: “It was exhausting but an incredibly enjoyable day. To reach the final was excellent and we faced a tough Germany side but the guys showed great character to battle back from behind and get the win.

“I enjoyed playing for Scotland 7’s in the IRB World Series so to win at Melrose just caps it all off. Winning the Melrose 7’s is a dream come true.”

glasgowwarriors

 

Melrose Sevens 2015 Results

Round 1

Glasgow Hawks 22 / 12 GHA
Aberdeen Grammar 19 / 12 Peebles
Watsonians 19 / 7 Boroughmuir
Stewarts Melville 7 / 26 Ayr
Kelso 35 / 21 Livingston
JedForest 22 / 5 Heriots
Selkirk 15 / 31 Currie
Dundee HSFP 24 / 12 Stirling County

 

Round 2

Glasgow Hawks 17 / 35 Melrose
Aberdeen Grammar 0 / 49 Wasps
Watsonians 38 / 0 Hawick
Ayr 10 / 24 Germany
Kelos 12 / 17 Edinburgh Accies
JedForest 21 / 17 North West University
Currie 7 / 19 Gala
Dundee HSFP 0 / 31 Glasgow Warriors

 

Quarter Finals

Melrose 19 / 15 Wasps
Watsonians 14 / 22 Germany
Edinburgh Accies 17 / 19 JedForest
Gala 12 / 26 Glasgow Warriors

 

Semi Finals

Melrose 12 / 22 Germany
JedForest 12 / 17 Glasgow Warriors

 

Final

Germany 21 / 36 Glasgow Warriors

3 Responses to Melrose Sevens: Glasgow Warriors retain title at 125th event

  • 1

    Updated the article now with all the scores Tired

  • 2

    Pity Northwest University (NWU/Pukke) lost the only match they played, but I guess their focus in on the Varsity Cup final. They joined the tournament in the second round and lost to JedForest who had beaten Heriots in the first round, JedForest went on to make the semi finals where they lost against pro team Glasgow Warriors.

  • 3

    Teams from South Africa have won 5 of the last 12 Melrose Sevens, with Maties winning it 2 times, and Shimlas, University of Jhb and Hamilton each winning it once during this period. I remember first time I saw Jean de Villiers it was at Melrose 7s in the early 2000s and his class was clear for all to see.

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