Mini Hornets at Selkirk Rhinos Centenary Tournament, Melrose Hornets Junior Rugby Club

Melrose Mini Hornets from P4-7 took part in the Selkirk Rhinos Centenary Tournament at Philiphaugh last Sunday. In addition to international guest teams, there were teams from Duns, Gala, Jedburgh, Langholm, Melrose, Peebles and Selkirk.

The P4 Mini Hornets continued their successful run and lifted their fourth tournament trophy of the season. At P5 level, the team played some of their best rugby to date, with convincing wins over Peebles, Langholm and Selkirk. Unfortunately they lost out to Jedburgh and Gala but finished the tournament a creditable third. The P6 Mini Hornets also provided an excellent display of their skills and were just pipped by Selkirk to finish very close runners up.

At Primary 7 level the tournament organisers had arranged a superb international event. On Saturday evening before the Tournament all P7 players from all the teams attended a formal rugby dinner hosted by the Rhinos. This was a most enjoyable and memorable event for all the youngsters involved.

In addition to the Selkirk Rhinos (Scotland) team, there were visiting teams from Bethune, France; Hollywood, N Ireland; Ilkley, England and, for the first time ever, a Mini Border Reivers side. The Mini Border Reivers team comprised a selection of players from six of the Borders teams. Melrose Minis Hamish McNeill, James Park and Richard Taylor were very proud to be part of this team, along with players from Duns, Gala, Jedforest, Langholm and Peebles. The team had the opportunity to come together for a brief training session prior to last week’s Peebles Mini Tournament where they were worthy runners up. At the Rhinos Centenary tournament the Mini Border Reivers finished third, behind Ilkley and Hollywood.

Throughout all their games, the Mini Border Reivers displayed superb skills and played with great determination. Their team spirit and co-operation was an excellent reflection of the strengths of youth rugby in the Scottish Borders and, indeed, an inspiration!