The Shield Final was contested by Uddingston and one of the four East Kilbride teams in the competition. Uddingston showed more composure and better passing and were soon 14-0 ahead. EK’s lack of recent experience of sevens showed in their play, albeit this criticism could be extended to most of the sides, as sevens has recently been a neglected form of the game.

In the second half, EK hit back with a converted try through JB Timmons and followed this up with a surging break by Sandy Bruce, for some 40 metres. His link pass allowed JB to score again but the drop kick conversion was missed. 14-12 for Uddingston.

Uddingston responded with an immediate try for five points. EK almost had the final say through a good try by Fraser Little following up his chip over the top, but then lost possession at the restart for Uddingston to secure their victory with a converted try for a 26-17 win.

The Main Final was contested by a Samba 7 (a mix of Boroughmuir and Watsonian players) and the surprise package of the day, the Auldhouse Polar Bears (a combo of EK players and anyone who had once passed through Auldhouse – well, is there any reason to stop?).

The Samba 7s scored first, when the Bears tried to break out of their 22, but the Polar Bears responded with a fantastic try to draw level at 7 points each.

EK hopes were high when Darren Beattie, a former EK player turning out for Bears, intercepted to put the Auldhouse team in the lead 12-7, followed up by a blast by Scott Johnston to stretch the Polar Bear’s lead to 19-7.

However, the Samba 7s responded by a long distance try by their winger and then their best player of the day, wearing No 6, created a score for the Samba side to snatch the trophy 21-19.

It was a good afternoon’s rugby, which followed seamlessly after the EK Mini Rugby Tournament in the morning. Well done to the sevens organisers, ably led by Polar Bear Calum “Bert” Blackwood and his pack of helpers.