Visitors to picturesque Riverside Park on Saturday can be guaranteed a warm welcome and an enjoyable day for what will be the finale to the domestic rugby season.
The ‘friendly’ tag of course refers to the pleasant Jethart welcome, rather than the action on the field, which should be as hard fought and eagerly contested as ever, as 16 teams compete in the last tournament on the 2014 Kings of the Sevens circuit.
Local firm Mainetti are sponsoring the Jed-Forest tournament for the second year and there will be a double celebration in the corporate tent where Mainetti are celebrating 40 years in Jedburgh along with the Jed Sevens team that won the Melrose tournament 40 years ago.
Jed Forest always look forward to hosting the final tournament in the Kings of the Sevens competition and, although the competition has already been won by Melrose, there is still prize money up for grabs for the top four finishers which should ensure a competitive days rugby, the Kings of the Sevens trophy will be presented after the final by the Border league president Chris Budzynski.
As it stands only seven points separate second and sixth teams (see full points standings on page 76).
If Melrose win on Saturday it will put them on 88 with 8 wins - but even now they have ripped up the record books and broken the previous highest total of 65 held by their own 2011 squad.
If Gala make the final they will come second. Hawick, Edinburgh Accies, Selkirk, Watsonians and hosts Jed-Forest are also in the mix.
The hugely popular event, now in its 104th year of playing will attract 16 quality teams from all over the country.
Jed-Forest president Billy Grieve told TheSouthern: “All the teams taking part are Scottish club sides which gives the ordinary club players the opportunity to play against the best Sevens sides in the country.
“The unique format of the tournament has city clubs playing borders clubs in the first round, the four seeded teams are Jed Forest as last year’s winners and the top three teams from the kings table, we believe this format makes for a fair and even draw and look forward to welcoming all the players, officials and supporters to our tournament.
He added: “Everyone from Jed-Forest RFC is delighted that Mainetti are sponsoring the tournament for a second year and help keep our fine reputation as a quality club tournament.”
This important day in the club’s calendar will also yield revenue from the ever-bustling beer tent.
And after the final both beer tents will remain open to the public until dusk while the main bar in the clubrooms will remain open throughout the evening. As ever though, the main action will be on the field and, in what has been an exciting sevens season, the battle for the Jed-Forest Cup looks set to be as thrilling as it has been regularly in recent years.
J Renwick Bookmakers will be present throughout the afternoon for anyone who wants to add a bit more excitement to what is already set to be a thrilling afternoon of rugby.
Tickets & Entry: Stand Tickets – £16; Adults – £12; Concessions – £8; School Children 12-18 – £8; School Children U12 - free with adult.
Please note that in agreement with Lothian and Borders Police and Scottish Borders Council Licensing Board that it is a condition of entry that alcohol cannot be brought into the ground.
First Tie 1.30pm
Hamilton v Selkirk
Berwick v Jed-Forest
Heriots v Hawick
Watsonians v Gala
Edinburgh Uni v Kelso
Stewarts Melville v Melrose
Musselburgh v Langholm
Edinburgh Accies v Peebles