Melrose 7s 2011


DYNAMITERS SECURE SECOND INTERNATIONAL TITLE


Twelve months after annexing the Kowloon Tens title in Hong Kong, the Dynamiters triumphed on foreign soil once more, this time conquering what Proud Edwards army could not, the Brave-hearts of Scotland!!



The Melrose Sevens is the oldest tournament of its kind and therefore the fore-runner to a game which shortly becomes an Olympic event, an indication as to how the game has evolved in both participation numbers and popularity. Melrose therefore carries with it much history and tradition, and this title is sought after by clubs from all over the world. Hammies First team won this prestigious title in 2010, and were back to defend their title this year. But not before the merry band of Dynamiters entered into the Melrose Vets Tens, the precursor to the main event. Hamiltons are the first international club ever to enter both competitions, so once again our proud club is part of history.



Hammies Firsts played some scintillating rugby all day, but especially to beat the NZ Provincial not club champions, Waikato, in a bruising semi-final in the main event on the Saturday. This monumental effort, and with only a short break before final, meant that the boys had to really lift their game to take on a well drilled and fit looking Melrose home outfit. It was a bridge just a little too far and we lost 31-26, but not before doing the club proud with a fighting effort. 20 Dynamiters shouting and singing against 10 000 home supporters was almost enough to lift the boys, but Melrose deserved the win on the day. One wonders what the result would have been though, had Melrose drawn Waikato in the semis? No excuses, a fine effort nonetheless.



We were heroic in defence of our

MELROSE SEVENS
title, losing in an exciting final to the hosts.



Our results were:


Hamilton 38 Stewarts Melville 7


Hamilton 41 Heriots FP 5


Semi-Final: Hamilton 17 Waikato 5


Final: Hamilton 26 Melrose 31



The Vets Tens tournament the day before was equally tough. Not that one would have thought so, judging by the results in the Dynamiters two pool games: a 38-0 win over the Auld Reekies, a combined side from Edinburgh, and a 66-10 swatting of Morgan Old Blacks who hailed from Dundee. However, the Dynamiters good form and slick passing game had been noted by the other teams, and the semi final was intensely physical, as the opposition flew into us like the brave-hearts of old. We were up against the Cayman Harlequins, but there was only one player from the Caribbean, the rest were all battle hardened veterans from the famous Hawick Club, including a number of ex-provincial and ex-Scotland U21 players. After securing a handy 12-0 lead, the Dynamiters had to hold on and defended like Trojans to win 19-14. What price did that come at. Two broken ribs including star player Moolie, a damaged shoulder, to our Irish Spaniard Bobby O Brien, and a hurt lower back for the Moose. This in addition to a strained hamstring which had ruled out Chris, our guest player from Scotland. This meant we had 11 fit-ish players for the final against the host club, Melrose Vets. We did borrow two reserves from an eliminated team, but the discussion was around us digging deep and fighting hard one more time for 20 minutes, as the hosts had a number of ex internationals in their ranks, including the 20 foot tall Doddie Weir, a 3 time British Lion



The Dynamiters started slowly and conceded an early try as a week of touring and tiredness set in. But somehow the indomitable Dynamiter spirit re-emerged as Eddie Bredenhann, back in Hammies colours after a number of years, started repeating his scary big hits from the earlier rounds, and thereby inspiring some rhythm once again. Two superb long range tries meant the Dynamiters started wresting control to lead at half time. Back came the Melrose boys with a surfeit of early second half possession, but somehow the red, black and yellow line held. A break-away Lawrence Edwards, ex dirty white and MVP of the tournament for us, try meant a cushion of 12 points for the Dynamiters, and despite wave after wave of Doddie-inspired attacks, Melrose could only score a consolation try on full time to leave the final score at 17-12. Immense guts had carried us through. What great lasting memories!! From being clapped on by our first team, to having our guest players: Woody Barlow, who showed great pace and determination to score a number of quality tries, Steve Begley, who played Hammies in the nineties and was immense for us in the physicality stakes in this tournament, and Chris Richards who showed his pedigree before he pulled his hammy, slot in so seamlessly, to the sheer guts and determination of the whole group Mike and Bryn included to winning what was a very special tournament. We all know old crocks is not supposed to be all about winning, try tell that to this team! Bobby and Eddie, old Hams boys showed what they had been missing, and believe it some opposition players are going to be very sore after experiencing Eddie missile hits. Yet we played in the correct spirit and made many friends. I will not mention all the other names as this would take the whole day, but suffice to say it is a privilege to be enjoying rugby so late in life alongside so many talented and top notch blokes.




  • Dynamiters


Hamiltons 2008 Highlights Video

  
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