Beattie’s delight as Scottish Thistles triumph in Melrose

On the way to the showpiece game, Ciaran Beattie’s development side defeated Musselburgh, Peebles, Melrose and Kelso before setting up a final showdown where they showed their class and won in style with Freddie Owsley, Brent Jackson, Isaac Coates all scoring tries.

Ciaran Beattie, heads up the Great Britain and Scotland Sevens programmes, run out of Oriam, and having had a career steeped in Sevens rugby, he achieved a lifelong dream of winning the coveted Melrose Sevens.

MELROSE, SCOTLAND – MAY 23: Thistles celebrate at full time during a Howden Melrose Sevens match at The Greenyards, on May 23, 2026, in Melrose, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

After lifting the trophy Beattie said: “It’s hard to take in. I was emotional in those last three minutes as the eyes of Scotland were watching us and we wanted to impress. The last minute or so was a tough watch and I had a real tear in my eye.

“There was a lot of humility and showing that accuracy when we really needed it. There was a range of experience throughout the squad, all from a range of academies, some club players and two guys with World Championship experience, so to do it like this, it’s just unreal.

MELROSE, SCOTLAND – MAY 23: Scottish Thistle’s Isaac Coates races through to score a try against Musselburgh during a Howden Melrose Sevens match at The Greenyards, on May 23, 2026, in Melrose, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

“People may have thought that it was a foregone conclusion given we’re a Scotland team but we were put to the test by some really strong teams and to produce the level we did, especially against a really well drilled Melrose team, is something for us to be proud of.”

Beattie fielded a group with a mix of youth and experience, and he was delighted with how they stepped up to the plate.

He said: “Murray Waugh is a young man but he just grew and grew throughout the day and he’s got a real bright future ahead of him. Gregor Johnston has hardly been on a sevens pitch but you wouldn’t believe it when you see him. Some have said it’s one of their best rugby experiences.”

It was also a special day for Beattie from a family perspective as he was accompanied by his son Harris who ran water throughout the day.

MELROSE, SCOTLAND – MAY 23: The Scottish Thistles Celebrate during a Howden Melrose Sevens match at The Greenyards, on May 23, 2026, in Melrose, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

He said: “I was delighted to have my son with me today. I’m certain not a single one of those players were thirsty once. He definitely gets his pace from his mum which I’m delighted about. It was really special to have him here today.”

The trophy win is the start of a big three weeks for Beattie who will now lead Great Britain Sevens in the World Championships, in Valladolid and Bordeaux in the next couple of weeks where they aim to retain their place in the World Series.

He said: “We really need to finish in the top eight as things didn’t turn out how we wanted them to in Hong Kong but we need to believe in ourselves to produce the results that we need. The men’s competition in particular is always incredibly close so it could go any way.”

Scottish Thistles Men’s Squad

1. Murray Waugh (Glasgow NTP 2)
2. Ritchie Mitchell (Gala RFC)
3. Finn Callaghan (Scotland 7s) – CAPTAIN
4. Gregor Johnston (Glasgow NTP 3)
5. Mitchell Newell (Strathclyde University)
8. Isaac Coates (Edinburgh Academy)
9. Leo Munro (Stewarts Melville College / Watsonians RFC)
10. Brent Jackson (Glasgow Academy)
11. Freddie Owsley (Chinnor RFC)
13. Stevie Hamilton (Peebles RFC)
14. Lewis Wells (Edinburgh Academy)
15. Sam Leweni (Edinburgh Academy)

Results:

First Round: Scottish Thistles 32-7 Musselburgh
Second Round: Scottish Thistles 28-0 Peebles
Quarter-Final: Scottish Thistles 21-17 Melrose
Semi-Final: Scottish Thistles 33-5 Kelso
Final: Scottish Thistles 22-10 Edinburgh Accies

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Full round-up of the day