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Sports events hope to give Borders economy a boost

David Ferguson
Getty Images A crowd of rugby fans stands on a banking to watch a game of rugby at Melrose Greenyards groundGetty Images
The Melrose Sevens has moved from its traditional April date

The annual Melrose Rugby Sevens tournament is kicking off a sporting weekend in the Borders which it is hoped can generate millions of pounds in economic benefit.

More than 12,000 people are expected at the event which has shifted from its traditional April date in a bid to avoid fixture congestion.

It means it will coincide with the Duns-based Jim Clark Rally which starts on Friday.

Finally, horse racing fans are due to flock to the Borders track at Kelso on Sunday when it stages its Ladies Day.

Older man with cap and blue tracksuit top pictured outside hotel entrance.
Sir Gordon Tietjens was inducted into the Melrose Sevens hall of fame

Melrose Sevens director Phil Morris said the response from ers to the new date had been good.

"It's just brilliant," he said.

"We weren't sure what the move would mean for fans, but tickets have flown out the door, all over the country and abroad.

"I hear big crowds are expected for the rally and the races, so it's going to be a massive showcase weekend for the Borders, and economically huge."

An economic report last year put the estimated impact of the rally at about £3m with the Melrose Sevens at more than £2m.

One overseas visitor to the rugby tournament is Sir Gordon Tietjens - considered the "father of sevens coaching" - who flew in from New Zealand to be inducted into the Melrose Sevens hall of fame.

He said: "It is extremely humbling to be invited back here, where it all began for sevens, and me.

"We refer to Melrose as the sevens capital of the world - that's what it's always been - and it's a real honour to be invited back to be part of this weekend."