Melrose Sevens

Melrose Sevens
SportRugby sevens
Instituted1883
Number of teams24
CountryScotland Scotland
HoldersShogun (2024)
Most titlesScotland Hawick (28 titles)
Websitemelrose7s.co.uk
Broadcast partnerBBC Scotland
Related competitionKings of the Sevens

Melrose Sevens is an annual rugby sevens event held by Melrose Rugby Club, at The Greenyards in Melrose, Scotland. It is the oldest rugby sevens competition in the world,[1] dating back to 1883 when the tournament was suggested by former Melrose players Ned Haig[2] and Davie Sanderson.[3] Shogun are the current men and women's holders having won the tournament in 2024.

History

Held every April, the tournament is part of the Kings of the Sevens competition, and has attracted teams from as far afield as Japan, Hong Kong, Uruguay and South Africa.

From 2018 the playing time in the final was cut from twenty minutes to fourteen minutes which is in line with the standard match time.[citation needed]

In September 2019 the organisers had set out plans for the Melrose Sevens to relaunch as a four-day festival of music and rugby.[4] The 2020 event was however postponed and eventually cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.[5] There was no event held in 2021 due to the pandemic.[6]

Media coverage

Domestically, the tournament is broadcast live on YouTube and locally, from the first tie right through to the final, on Borders Rugby Radio

Past winners

Number of wins

See also

References

  1. ^ "Oldest Sevens tournaments in the world". 27 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Ned Haig". 8 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Davie Sanderson". 8 June 2022.
  4. ^ Barnes, David (23 September 2019). "Melrose Sevens to relaunch as four-day festival of music and rugby". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Coronavirus: Melrose Sevens postponed". BBC Sport. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  6. ^ "World famous Melrose Sevens rugby tournament to return in 2022 after Covid-19 cancellations". ITV News. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.