The Ladies Cup will sit in Glasgow Warriors' trophy cabinet for a second year after the Scotstoun men successfully defended their Melrose Sevens title, beating newcomers Germany 36-21 in the final of in the 125th edition of the famous tournament on Saturday.
As one of two professional sides taking part at Melrose, Warriors were expected to be in the mix for honours but in the event they were challenged in each of the rounds and not least in the semi-final where Jed-Forest, fielding four Scotland sevens caps, carried the flag for the club game.
"Jed were outstanding," admitted Warriors skipper James Eddie, who added: "It was a lot harder than last year. It was a real squad effort. Germany were physical and tough and pushed us all the way."
Niko Matawalu displayed a complete repertoire of skills and not least his defence, vital in stopping what looked a near-certain try for Jed by Gregor Young in the semi final. The other Glasgow player to impress was Fraser Lyle, who, clearly benefitting from his stint with the Scotland sevens squad, showed both playmaker and defensive skills.
If the semi final was hard for Warriors then so too was the final. The Germans have a proven track record on the Rugby Europe Grand Prix series and are intent on making an impact. "Sevens has a big future in Germany. It's an Olympic sport now and every young player wants to go to the Games and win a medal," said the Germany coach, Reiner Kumm.
Germany gave notice of their ambitions by defeating Ayr and then Watsonians before achieving victory over Melrose, 22-12 in a tough semi-final. In the final Germany's use of the long pass, their sheer physicality and the pace provided by their backs allowed them to establish a 21-12 lead, Warriors having scored tries by Matawalu and Lyle.
The talented Lyle improved matters with his side's third try and from then on it was Warriors who prevailed. Gregor Young, drafted into the Warriors side following an injury to Rory Hughes, scored a brace and Murray McConnell touched down for the final points.
Of the other guest sides North West University from South Africa made a swift exit after losing to Jed-Forest while Wasps, after flattering to deceive with a 49-0 win over Aberdeen, then succumbed to Melrose in the quarter-finals.
Gala and Edinburgh Accies performed well, Gala losing to Warriors and Accies edged out by Jed in the quarters but on a day when Germany ruled uber alles in the top half of the draw, it was the Warriors from Glasgow who provided a home win.
Results
First round: Glasgow Hawks 22 GHA 12, Aberdeen 19 Peebles 12, Watsonians 19 Boroughmuir 7, Stewart's Melville 7 Ayr 26, Kelso 35 Langholm 21, Jedforest 22 Heriot's 5, Selkirk 15 Currie 31, Dundee 24 Stirling County 12.
Second round: Glasgow Hawks 17 Melrose 35, Aberdeen 0 Wasps 49, Watsonians 39 Hawick 0, Ayr 10 Germany 24, Kelso 12 Edinburgh Accies 17 (after extra time), Jed-Forest 21 North West University 17, Currie 7 Gala 19, Dundee 0 Glasgow Warriors 31.
Quarter-finals: Melrose 19 Wasps 15, Watsonians 14 Germany 22, Edinburgh Accies 17 Jed-Forest 19, Gala 12 Glasgow Warriors 26.
Semi-finals: Melrose 12 Germany 22, Jed-Forest 12 Glasgow Warriors 17.
Final: Germany 21 Glasgow Warriors 36.
Germany: A Buchman, C Sortera Merz, C Von Grumbkow, P Mathurin, P Szcyesny, F Heimpel, R Greenhaugh, A Kessen, S Rainger, C Anderson.
Glasgow Warriors: J Eddie, W Bordill, H Blake, T Spinks, M McConnell, F Lyle, G Young, G Bryce, N Matawalu, G Hunter.
Referee D Changleng.
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