Melrose 7s Round-Up

Scottish Thistles Men’s Results:

First Round: 10:30 – Scottish Thistles 32-7 Musselburgh

A blink and you’ll miss it try from kick-off set the Thistles up strongly in the first match of the day, before they scored a further two tries before the half-time whistle. A further two tries in the second half, from Ritchie Mitchell and Isaac Coates took the Thistles to a round two face-off against Peebles.

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)

Second Round: 13:12 – Scottish Thistles 28-0 Peebles

Round two set out to be a slow burner for the Scottish Thistles against a strong Peebles side who looked eager to push back but Freddie Owsley took matters into his own hands, soaring past the Peebles defensive line on the outside to dot down underneath the posts. This proved to be the only try of the first half. Setting the second half off, Mitchell Newell charged down the left wing to push the Thistles into a two try lead. Following multiple attacking attempts, a lofty passing play saw Ritchie Mitchell take the ball over the line down the right hand side. Sam Leweni picked up a try of his own just moments later to round the game off and see the Scottish Thistles go through to the Quarter Finals, against Melrose.

Quarter-Final: 16:30 – Scottish Thistles 21 – 17 Melrose

A dominant attacking lineout allowed the Scottish Thistles the space to be the first to score in this quarter final, in front of a partisan crowd, with Freddie Owsley being the one to dot down after a strong break at speed. Owsley didn’t wait long to score again, slipping through the Melrose defensive line to score a try just left of the posts. Melrose responded with a try of their own, with a knock on holding back what could have been a second in quick succession. A line break from Melrose allowed the hosts in for a try, with a further try coming out wide just moments later to put Melrose in a three point lead. The Thistles responded strongly with Isaac Coates taking the ball and dotting down under the posts, regaining the lead and placing the Men’s side into the semi-finals.

MELROSE, SCOTLAND – MAY 23: Thistle’s Murray Waugh scores a try during a Howden Melrose Sevens match at The Greenyards, on May 23, 2026, in Melrose, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Semi-Final: Scottish Thistles 33 – 5 Kelso

It was Gregor Johnston who opened up scoring in the semi final for the Scottish Thistles, with Kelso shortly being man down with a player sent to the sin bin. The Thistles added to their lead with Sam Leweni scoring the second of the match to bolster the lead. A dominant try from Murray Waugh saw the Thistles go into half time with a 21-point lead. Mitchell Newell opened up scoring for the Thistles in the second half, Freddie Owsley followed shortly behind to add to his haul of tries for the day, seeing the Thistles book their spot in the final.

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

Final – Scottish Thistles 22-10 Edinburgh Accies

A strong opening try from Freddie Owsley saw the Scottish Thistles take an early lead in the final, however a quick response soon followed from Edinburgh Accies. A line break from Stevie Hamilton soon saw Brent Jackson open up a channel to slip through Accies defence. Strong attacking play soon opened up room for Isaac Coates to sail in through the Accies defence. Accies then responded quickly with a try of their own to retaliate. Brent Jackson shortly after was able to spot a perfect opening to sprint his way through to place the Scottish Thistles into a dominant lead, and won by 12 points to cement Scottish Thistles as the 2026 1883 Centenary Cup winners!

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)

Squad

1. Murray Waugh (Glasgow National Talent Pathway 2)
2. Ritchie Mitchell (Gala RFC)
3. Fin Callaghan (Scotland 7s) – CAPTAIN
4. Gregor Johnston (Glasgow National Talent Pathway 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)

Scottish Thistles Women’s Results

11:06 – Scottish Thistles 15-29 Monaco Umusa

An early try from Cieron Bell opened up the scoring for the Women’s side, before a second try was scored by Bethan Mathieson to put the Thistles two tries up. Monaco Umusa soon responded with a try of their own. Sky Phimister darted down the left wing to pick up a try of her own. A try for Monaco Umusa just before half time saw a tight 15-14 lead for the Thistles at half-time. Further tries from Monaco Umusa in the second half allowed the side to take the win in the first round, 29-15.

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

12:36 – Scottish Thistles 29-12 Melrose 1883

A double from Nicole Flynn saw the Scottish Thistles open up the scoring in round two. Off the back of a precise offload, Sky Phimister was through to score a third try for the Thistles in the first half. A try for Poppy Mellanby came early in the second half, off the back of a clinical supporting offload from Nicole Marlow. Sky Phimister rounded off the scoring, shooting round the corner and charging over the line on the left wing to pick up her second try of the afternoon.

13:30 – Scottish Thistles 31- 5 Hearts and Balls 

Just seconds into the fixture, Nicole Marlow found space out wide and took full advantage, scoring a try to pick up an early lead. After the Scottish Thistles conceded a try to make the game even, Cieron Bell was able to charge around the outside of the defender opposite her, dotting down to place the Thistles in front. With little time to rest following the last try, Hannah Ramsay displayed a great attacking presence, charging through the defensive line to pick up the Thistles third try of the match. Poppy Mellanby, picking up her second try of the day, broke through the Hearts and Balls defence to reinforce the Thistles lead. in the dying moments of the match, Emily Love was able to soar over the line to pick up a last minute try.

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

14:42 – Scottish Thistles 33-10 Shogun Rugby

Sky Phimister opened up scoring for the Scottish Thistles, sailing round the outside of the Shogun defence. A strong defence from Shogun saw a halt to scoring, until Bethan Mathieson was able to unlock the Thistles attack and reap the rewards. In the final moments of the first half, Nicole Flynn was able to charge over the tryline to pick up the third try of the fixture for Scottish Thistles. Following a perfectly weighted offload, Lisa Brown soared into the tryline for the first try of the second half. Just moments later Poppy Mellanby picked up an attacking opportunity out on the left wing and was able to dot down.

MELROSE, SCOTLAND – MAY 23: Scottish Thistle’s Lisa Brown scores a try against Hearts and Balls during a Howden Melrose Sevens match at The Greenyards, on May 23, 2026, in Melrose, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

After other results didn’t go the way of the Scottish Thistles, the Women’s side bowed out of the competition just before the final. Monaco Umusa went on to win the Doddie Claymore in the final, against Melrose 1883.

Squad

1. Megan Hyland (Heriots / Glasgow Warriors)
2. Nicole Flynn (University of Edinburgh / Glasgow Warriors)
3. Hannah Ramsay (Watsonian FC / Edinburgh Rugby)
4. Cieron Bell (Watsonian FC / Edinburgh Rugby)
5. Lucy MacRae (University of Edinburgh / Edinburgh Rugby)
6. Bethan Mathieson (Heriots / Edinburgh Rugby)
7. Lisa Brown (University of Edinburgh / Edinburgh Rugby)
8. Nicole Marlow (Watsonian FC / Edinburgh Rugby)
9. Ceitidh Ainsworth (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors)
10. Poppy Mellanby (University of Edinburgh / Glasgow Warriors)
11. Emily Love (Watsonian FC / Edinburgh Rugby)
12. Sky Phimister (Stirling County / Glasgow Warriors)

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