Edinburgh beat Jed in final to win Melrose Sevens

Edinburgh celebrate with the trophy after winning the final of the Melrose Seven, at the Greenyards. Picture Ian Rutherford

Edinburgh Rugby added their name to the list of Melrose winners after defeating Jed-Forest 29-19 in a thrilling final at the Greenyards.

It was a heartbreak for Jed who came close to matching their professional opponents, hitting back with late tries by Ross Combe and Ian Chishom to narrow Edinburgh’s lead. Jed’s other try was scored by Lewis Young.

Edinburgh’s triumph means the Ladies Cup has been lifted by a professional side five years in a row, with Saracens enjoying a double in 2012 and 2013.

Edinburgh were pushed hard by the local sides in the semi-final against Melrose and the final but, in the end, they just had too much quality and were deserved winners of the tournament.

Edinburgh's Will Helu scores a try despite being tackled by tackled by Jed's Ian Chisholm and Gregor Young during the final. Picture: Ian Rutherford

“It feels so special. Such a different set of emotions from playing,” said Edinburgh coach Roddy Grant. “I’m so proud of the guys. The skills were good but there was guts too. We had some tough games there against Melrose and Jed but came through.”

Edinburgh had reached the final by edging out hosts, Melrose, in the second of the semi-finals, the match going to the wire before the professional side finished winners by 26-24.

For their part, Jed went past Selkirk before knocking out guest side Belgium in the quarters. Then in the semi-final Jed were comfortable winners over Edinburgh Accies by 31-15.

RESULTS

First round: Howe of Fife 5 Edinburgh Accies 27; Peebles 17 Boroughmuir 29; Hawick 5 Selkirk 21; Glasgow Hawks 15 Aberdeen Rugby 19; Kelso 12 Watsonians 45; Currie 22 Dundee High 5; Marr 24 Stirling County 5; GHA 28 Stewart’s Melville 17.

Second round: Edinburgh Accies 33 Ayr 17; Boroughmuir 12 Gala 33; Selkirk 10 Jed-Forest 24; Aberdeen Rugby 14 Belgium 34; Watsonians 24 Seventise 19; Currie 12 Melrose 17; Marr 21 Heriot’s 22

GHA 14 Edinburgh Rugby 36.

Quarter-finals: Edinburgh Accies 28 Gala 14; Belgium 14 Jed-Forest 24; Watsonians 24 Melrose 29; Heriot’s 0 Edinburgh

Rugby 22.

Semi-finals: Jed-Forest 31 Edinburgh Accies 15; Melrose 24 Edinburgh Rugby 26.

Final: Jed-Forest 19 Edinburgh Rugby 29.

FINAL SQUADS

Jed-Forest: G Law, C Cowan, F Harkness, C Gillon, L Young, I Chisholm, R Shirra-Gibb, R Hogg, G Young, R Combe

Edinburgh Rugby: W Helu, A Strauss, G Turner, N Fowles, S Beard, C Dean, D Hoyland, S Tofilau, T Galbraith, O Katoa