The 2013 Kings of the Sevens tournament kicks off on Saturday with the 122nd playing of Gala 7s.
With a new sponsor on board and all the local teams gunning to get their hands on the title, the next seven weeks is likely to be packed full of high-octane action around 10 local pitches.
Selkirk sevens stalwart Fraser Harkness has experienced the abbreviated game at all levels and believes the Borders circuit is truly unique.
He told The Southern: “They talk about it all over the world. Every young player wants to play sevens in the Borders and that makes the whole thing really special.
“It’s not just the rugby, although that is a big part of it, it’s the unique friendly atmosphere of each individual tournament. There is nothing else like it.”
Harkness is one of many who are looking forward to getting down to business on Saturday. Selkirk face a tough challenge, having been drawn in the same pool as title holders Jed-Forest and Hawick, but the 28-year-old plasterer feels that any cracks in the Selkirk performance have been well and truly smoothed out.
“Things didn’t really go our way last season,” he added.
“Graham Marshall has come on board as sevens coach and we have been working on certain areas of our game.
“We have a good squad and hopefully we can challenge the leaders this year. We’ll find out on Saturday.”
Motor group D S Dalgleish and Son Ltd are to sponsor this season’s Kings competition. The motor retail company stepped in to offer the title sponsorship deal for this season after a high-profile backer pulled out.
“We’re putting a substantial sum into the sponsorship as we feel this is an important time for rugby in the Borders,” said the firm’s managing director, Scott Dalgleish.
“Part of the sum we’re putting into the competition will go in prize money of £5,000. That includes £2,500 for the winners, and some will go towards the cost of running the tournaments.”
For more on Gala 7s turn to pages 84 & 85.
Elsewhere this weekend, Selkirk complete their league campaign against Stewart’s Melville FP at Philiphaugh tomorrow night, while Melrose take on Aberdeen at the Greenyards on Saturday in a bid to avoid a play-off with Hawick.