IN a world where much is made of being the "original and best" there is something quite refreshing that Saturday’s Aberdeen Standard Investment Melrose Sevens might get something akin to a traditional winner.
Sevens is huge today, with its own circuit and even Olympic and Commonwealth medals to be had. In recent times, that professionalism has ruled the roost at Melrose as well.
But, given Rugby Poland, the US Tigers and the Crusaders select makes up the invitational entrants this year, past winning captain Scott Wight – one of the best exponents of the game in recent years - believes this is the best opportunity in years for one of the more traditional names to get their name on the impressive list of winners.
“This is probably one of the most open years for quite some time, probably since Melrose won it in 2011,” says Wight, the winning captain that year and again four years later when he led Glasgow Warriors to victory.
“Since 2011, Saracens and Warriors won it twice, and Edinburgh and Harlequins last year have also been winners. However, this time around, there isn’t a big national or international team or club coming, or a big English professional outfit. And for me that’s good, because it opens up the field and gives one of the club teams a real opportunity to take the title.
“Poland, Tigers and Crusaders do add some glamour to the competition. But the better club sides will fancy their chances.”
While carving out a successful career as part of the Scotland Sevens squad, little surpasses lifting the Ladies Cup in front of his own the Greenyards.
“The first time, especially, was pretty special; as a youngster, aspiring to play on that pitch, growing up in Melrose, playing with the club, as an amateur, knowing the traditions of the tournament and the sevens, and who had been there before. And then getting to be the winning captain. That was, up until then, the biggest thing I’d done and memorable for all those reasons – and the party afterwards was very memorable as well.
“In the past, yes there were international players who won Melrose, but when Scott Hastings did it with Watsonians, or Chris Paterson won with Gala, or Mike Blair was part of the Boroughmuir team, they were still amateurs, as was Craig Chalmers, Bryan Redpath and Graham Shiel with Melrose.
“Seeing a club name on the roll of honour, for me, would give the tournament and those taking part a real lift, going forward.”
However, even Wight, despite record advances ticket sales ahead of the ‘Sports’ next weekend, realises Sevens is an entirely different games to the one schemed up by Ned Haig 135 years ago.
“Sevens is a sport on its own and has been for some time,” Wight believes. “Perry Baker of the USA is one of the best exponents in Sevens rugby, with his speed, his one v one ability, and the threat he carries from anywhere on the pitch. But he wouldn’t merit a mention at Test level.
“You see what the pro teams and the top invitational sides have done at Melrose over the years, just because they play one and two levels above the good 15’s players. Which would make a win next Saturday all the more appealing to the club players. Because you get the same winners' medal as the superstars of the past.”
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