Melrose campaign ends at semi-final stage

The Army Men’s Sevens team’s attempt to retain its Melrose Sevens title ended at the semi-final stage on Easter Saturday.

Only three teams have retained the title won the previous year this century, testament to the ongoing competitiveness of the world’s oldest Sevens tournament.

The Army opened their campaign against GHA, who had beaten Selkirk in their preliminary round match. Two tries in the space of a minute put the red shirts in control to give them a 14-0 half-time lead, with a further two tries coming after the break, 26-10 the final result.

Next up was Wild Dogs, and for a second game the Army nilled their opponents in the first half to lead 19-0. The Army scored first after the break, too, which set them on their way to a 31-12 result.

This put the Army into the semi-finals against the old rivals, Samurai, in a re-match of the 2022 final. This time the tables were turned on the red shirts, Samurai scoring twice in the opening two minutes, then adding a third try just before the break to lead 21-0.

With Samurai then scoring three minutes into the second half the contest was over, making Gnr Luke Rokomoce’s (7 Para RHA) try in the final play a mere consolation, 26-7 the final score.

Elsewhere over the weekend there was a Women’s Super League debut for Bdr Bethan Dainton (RA), who started for Leeds Rhinos as they welcomed York Valkyrie to Headingley. The first half was competitive, as the teams matched each other try for try in the opening half-hour. But York scored a third try before half-time and then went on to rack up 16 unanswered points in the second half, 12-34 the final score.

Tickets for the 2023 Inter-Services Championship are now on sale.

CLICK HERE for information about the Army v RAF at Kingsholm, Gloucester, on Saturday, April 15^th.

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Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks