In 1996, some 30 years ago, the Watsonians squad made up of Tom Smith, Cammy Mather, Gordon Hannah, Neil Burnett, Duncan Hodge, captain Scott Hastings, Paul Raeburn, Gordon MacRaild and Grant McKelvey won the Melrose Sevens coached by Andrew Ker.
Three decades on there will be a minute’s silence before the Edinburgh club’s first tie at the tournament this time around on Saturday while the Watsonians’ shirts will bear Hastings’ name following his sad recent passing aged 61.
Everyone at The Greenyards will be thinking about the great man this weekend and, it is fair to say, he thought about the 1996 Melrose triumph quite a lot over the years and really treasured it along with his many other rugby accolades earned with Scotland and the British and Irish Lions.
In an interview in 2016 to mark 20 years since the Melrose Sevens success he said: “Wow – it was a very, very special day and something that I had dreamed about for many years, but did not think I would ever achieve.
“On the morning of the competition John Kerr had to drop out of the squad as his son was being born and it meant we had to travel with nine players.
“We had won the Gala Sevens the week before and whilst we thought we may have a chance, it takes a special team and a determination to deliver a winning performance. It is fair to say that the team delivered that day and the same seven players played every minute of every tie.
“One thing that does stick in my mind is that someone came into the changing and said that the way to beat Stellenbosch University in the final was to attack them up front. They had a couple of flyers so we had to deny them the ball and from that point on we completed outplayed them.
“Incidentally, two players in the Stellenbosch team that day, Breyton Paulse and Bobby Skinstad, went on to become outstanding Springbok players and every time I meet them I remind them of our day at Melrose.
“It meant everything and the victory was so sweet as it was in the twilight of my career. To play for Scotland and the Lions is very special, but your club is where you start that wonderful journey.
“That Melrose Sevens medal is one of my most treasured possessions.
“I had joined from school and made my try scoring debut against Devonport Services at the age of 17.
“When I did play for Watsonians it was exciting as the brand of rugby we played was fabulous. We attacked with ball in hand at every opportunity and I have always believed that Watsonians scored tries like no other team. Loyalty is a big thing for me and I stayed with the club throughout my career.”
On May 22 and mainly May 23, The Greenyards will come alive as the Home of Sevens welcomes players, supporters and visitors from across the rugby world for an unforgettable weekend of rugby and atmosphere – more information here