A 'seriously' stupendous Newton 7s
Saturday saw Newton Stewart Rugby Club host the ninth Seriously Strong Sevens and at the end of a yet another fine day's rugby it was Carlisle who stepped up to collect the Bladnoch Whisky Quaich – and their £500 prize money for their third win in this excellent competition.
As the popularity of this event swells so does the quality of rugby and this year was no exception with the arrival of Melrose, Newcastle Pirates, Dundee HSFP, and Kelso Turtles adding to the list of regular teams.
A sixteen team - four group draw looked promising but an unexpected call-off from Stewartry left the organisers with no alternative but to run three groups of five and the challenge of six games for the eventual finalists.
The opening fixture of Group A on Pitch 1 saw Melrose and Newcastle Pirates set out their stall and in an absolute nail-biter it was favourites Melrose who narrowly triumphed 17–10 and with further victories against Edinburgh Agrics., Newton Stewart and Wigtownshire they assured themselves a place in the semi-finals.
Group B had in its midst the Wigtownshire Dinosaurs, and to their credit they managed to score more tries than the "elite" 'Shire squad, but unfortunately Carlisle, Kelso, Hamilton and Cumnock were all too much for the lads and as quality gave way to quantity it was Carlisle who took the four victories and the assured semis place.
However, with a fine try count of 30 it was from this section that Kelso eventually took the best second place spot from the Newcastle Pirates for inclusion in the closing stages.
Group C had the highly fancied Dundee High but the long journey had taken its toll.
Hillhead/Jordanhill never fail to appear with a reasonable squad, Kelso Turtles were not "turtle-like" at all, and Newton Stewart Fossils did take the only try which Dumfries Saints conceded while blowing away all their opposition and moving to the semi-finals as hot favourites.
As usual the Newton Stewart minis kept the gallery entertained while the semi-finals were drawn and with first out Carlisle getting Melrose the second semi was to be a repeat of last years final between Dumfries and Kelso.
Dumfries were on fire and although the margin was closer than in their previous encounter it was again the Saints who triumphed by two tries and 31 points to 19.
Melrose against Carlisle could not have been closer and at 31-24 a solitary try was the difference with Carlisle the benefactors, and a place in the final the prize.
Starting as favourites Dumfries had looked the fitter team throughout the tournament but as the final unfolded Carlisle proved to be the more skilful side and a couple of tries in quick succession succeeded in forcing Dumfries to play catch-up.
However, catch-up they never quite managed and in what was a highly entertaining game it was Carlisle who triumphed with six tries to the Saints three and the final score of 40-17.
An appreciative crowd had been treated to six hours of non-stop rugby action and with some 279 tries scored throughout the day no one could say rugby sevens was a dull affair.
Once again this event could not be staged without the support of the sponsors Bladnoch Distillery and Seriously Strong Cheese.
In the absence of Raymond Armstrong owner of Bladnoch Distillery it was left to Matt Glover and Sue Walker from the main sponsors, the Caledonian Cheese Co. in Stranraer, to preside over the prize-giving and thereafter all that was left was to indulge in the usual revelry with a five-hour mega-set from local rock band, Touch the Snake.
r More pictures from the sevens on page 41
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
