Tynedale Colts sponsored by Arnold Clark began the new season with a weekend of Seven's rugby in the Scottish Border "King of Sevens" series.
Saturday saw them at Langholm and the first game was against Hawick PSA and it was Tyne who started the strongest with forwards Chris Harvey, Dave Batey and Adam Telfer dominating their opposite numbers. Possession and pressure told and Jateth Main finished off a good move by running in the 1st try of the season.
This was soon followed by Rory Dixon going in under the posts for a try he converted to put Tynedale on top 12-0. PSA finished the half strongly going over the line twice but unable to get the ball down. In the second half the Dale boys were second best and shipped 3 tries losing 17-12. Fortunately the teams were in pools of three so Tyne had another game to play this time against Berwick. Having got their second wind they ripped straight into the lads in Black, again Jareth led the way in for a try, Rory got 2, Matt Williams had a very good game scoring another pair. Angus White got rewarded for his hard work with a try and Martin Hutton scored 2 with Rory kicking 5 conversions it ended 48-0.
On Sunday it was up to Melrose with a few changes to the squad and Langholm waiting in the 1st Round.
Just like the day before the Tyne boys got off to a flyer this time it was Rory running in closely followed by Rich Ridley then Adam all converted by Rory to give a 21-0 lead. Langholm did threaten and came back with a try but Guy Pike finished the game off with a fine effort under the posts that he also converted to give a 28-5 final score.
Next up Hawick Wands even the old elephant brain of Aga could not remember the last time that Tynedale had come out on top of Wands at Seven's. Undaunted the Colts started the brightest controlling possession and exerting most of the pressure. They were soon rewarded when Rory was found in space wide out to get the try worked for by the whole team while he tried to get his breath back across on the other wing he again was fed the ball to run in and make it 10-0. Hawick were stung into action and despite some good defensive work scored wide out to halve the lead with half time approaching the next score was vital and following a good Chris Lambert kick Adam showed his speed and foot balling skills to get a crucial try. After the break Tyne worked hard in defence impact players Simon Candy and Dave Batey adding fresh legs to the cause and it was Tynedale who had the last word with Guy going through on a loose ball to finish the scoring 20-5.
The Semi Final against hosts Melrose was 1 game too many for the Tynedale squad going down 32-5 to a fresher fitter team for the record it was Rory who scored giving him 6 tries over the weekend.