Watsonians to wear special shirt at Melrose Sevens in memory of Scott Hastings - 30 years after 1996 triumph
The late Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre captained the Edinburgh club to a famous win at the Greenyards three decades ago.
This weekend’s Melrose Sevens will be the 143rd edition of the historic competition and a particularly poignant one for Watsonians.
The Edinburgh club head back to the Greenyards on the 30th anniversary of their 1996 triumph. They were captained on that day by the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions centre Scott Hastings who sadly passed away last week aged just 61-years old.
A minute’s silence will be held before Watsonians first match of the afternoon against Kelso. The club will also pay their own tribute to the great man by wearing a special kit, honouring his memory.
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Each top will carry the number 13 on the front along with Hastings’ name and the club’s moto ‘Ex Corde Caritas’ which translates from Latin as ‘love from the heart’. It was arranged by Watsonian Sevens Manager David Harris, who was involved with the 1996 winning team, and the work to produce the tops was carried out by Loanhead based ‘Superlogo Ltd’ for whom former Watsonian and Scotland international Andrew Dall is a director.
Winning the Melrose Sevens was a special moment for Hastings in a career laden with club and international honours. The team on that day also included fellow Scotland stars Tom Smith, Cammy Mather and Duncan Hodge.
Remembering the achievement in a 2020 interview, Hastings said: “It was a very, very special day and something that I had dreamed about for many years, but did not think I would ever achieve. It meant everything and the victory was so sweet as it was in the twilight of my career.
“To play for Scotland and the Lions is very special, but your club is where you start that wonderful journey. ‘Sonians had won the Premiership, but that Melrose Sevens medal is one of my most treasured possessions.”
Watsonians beat Stellenbosch University from South Africa in the final 30 years ago. This time around they could find themselves coming up against the likes of Scottish Thistles, Durham University and hosts Melrose in a potential route to the final with Edinburgh and Newcastle Red Bulls on the other side of the draw amongst the contenders.
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