Selkirk went into this penultimate round of the Kings of the Sevens with hopes of claiming the title at the 78th staging of the Earlston event.

But their dreams were dashed in the final tie of the day as city slickers Watsonians cruised to victory with an eye on snatching the crown – and the substantial prize money that goes with it – out of the Souters' grasp.

All is still to play for at this weekend's Jed-Forest event, but for Selkirk, the disappointment was palpable as signs of a gruelling season began to show.

Speaking to TheSouthern after the trophy presentations on Sunday, Selkirk skipper Neil Darling said: "We're all pretty disappointed with that.

"We played well all day to get into the final then got ourselves down a bit and just couldn't pick it back up.

"I can't fault the commitment of the players though. It's been a long, hard season for everyone and they have given 100 per cent all the way through.

"Watsonians are a good side and have a very physical team, but we know what to expect now.

"So, one last push, and hopefully we'll win the trophy."

The Souters saw off Stewart's Melville (31-17) and Peebles (29-5) in the early stages, before meeting Jed-Forest in the semi-finals. Selkirk got off to a great start with two tries in quick succession from Rory Aglen and Fraser Harkness, with one conversion from David Cassidy.

Jed got their act together in the fifth minute, when Gary Hill broke through the Selkirk defence to score and convert.

Three minutes into the second half, Harkness cashed in on a Jed-Forest mistake, and Cassidy's conversion put his side 10 points ahead.

A clever chip and chase try, scored and converted by Cassidy, sealed the game for the Souters.

A Gavin Craig try completed the scoring from the Philiphaugh side before James Hogg added a consolation try for Jed.

In the second semi, the home crowd were willing Kelso on in the hope of an all-Borders final, but it was not to be, despite a brave battle from the Tweedsiders.

Watsonians had already demolished Berwick (14-7) and Heriot's (21-19), whose first-round tie against Hawick was a thriller in itself (36-35).

An early try for Mike Ker was soon cancelled out by Kelso's Richard Minto and the scores remained static for most of the game. Late touchdowns from Andrew Skeen and two from Ali Rowe, plus three conversions from the boot of Ker, sealed a place in the final for the 2005 Earlston winners.

Watsonians were first to show in the final when Guy Hills and Dougie Brown managed to foil Fraser Harkness, for Brown to cross the line. Ali Rowe was next to score when Watsonians turned over the Selkirk scrum, Ker converting both.