THE spring sevens circuit moves to the picturesque Milntown ground at Langholm on Saturday, where Jed-Forest will defend the Scott Cup after defeating Dumfries 42-12 in the final last year, writes John Smith.
There is no chance of a repeat final as the two teams will clash in the last tie of the first round on this occasion.
The Edinburgh Woollen Mill will once again sponsor the tournament and 16 teams will line up to compete for the Scott Cup and to gain points in the Kings of the Sevens table.
Jed head the table at present with 34 points, with Melrose on 20, followed by Hawick on 13, Heriots on 12 and Edinburgh Accies on nine.
With tournaments at Langholm, Peebles, Kelso, Earlston, Selkirk and Jed still to come, there is still plenty to play for.
Melrose look capable of advancing to the semi-finals at Langholm and meet Berwick, improved by reaching the semi-final at their own tournament, in the opening round.
The winners meet either Peebles or Musselburgh, who open the proceedings.
Newly-crowned Scottish Cup winners Gala face the National League champions Hawick YM and there is a repeat of the 2010 final when Kelso face Edinburgh University.
Hosts Langholm take on an unknown quantity in the shape of Carlisle Barbarians and the winners will come up against either Watsonians or Selkirk, who have both been rather disappointing so far on the circuit.
Hawick last lifted the cup at Milntown in 2009 when they ended the run of four successive tournament wins by Newcastle Falcons, but will need to show good form against Edinburgh Accies.
Jed have reached all four finals this season, with two wins so far, and if they get the better of Dumfries there is the possibility of an intriguing clash with Hawick.
The tournament gets underway at 2pm and the committee will be hoping the weather is kind.
Draw
Peebles v Musselburgh
Melrose v Berwick
Gala v Hawick YM
Kelso v Edinburgh University
Langholm v Carlisle Barbarians
Watsonians v Selkirk
Hawick v Edinburgh Accies
Jed-Forest v Dumfries