Earlston Rugby Football Club in Times Past

Earlston Rugby Club is the focus here in our new  series looking at 

Local Clubs and Societies

Its History
The Club is thought to have been formed in the 1870s by two Yorkshiremen who were installing machinery in the local woollen mill.  

One  of their first games was against Kelso in 1876,   the result being a draw. On 7 March 1879, Earlston played Kelso  in one of the first matches staged under electric floodlights. The Club also played in the first Melrose Sevens  in 1883. 

Earlston Rugby Football Team, 1876

In the early years the Club's pitch was located at the Georgefield Road close to where the school pitches are today. In 1921 the present pitch at the Haugh  was leased from A. Brownlie, Timber Merchants. Two years later the first Clubhouse was erected. 

During the Second World War,  the rugby pitch and clubhouse were requisitioned by the military.  One third of the pitch was dug out and concrete laid to make a "hull down" park for the tanks of the Polish Division stationed in the area,  preparing for D. Day. 

In  1968 the clubhouse was extended  with further major work carried out in 1988

************

Earlston Rugby Football Team, 1932 

Press Reports from:   Southern Reporter, 22^nd August  1935

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

At the annual general meeting ol Earlston Rugby Club Mr John Weatherston (president) occupied the chair. The treasurer submitted a financial statement for the past season, which showed a credit balance of £5 7s 1d- The office -bearers elected were : President, Mr John Weatherston; vice-president, Mr R. Geggie;  secretary, Mr D. W. Denham; treasurer, Mr G. D. White; captain, D. D Fleming;       vice-captain, D. W Denham.  Messrs J. L. Turnbull and J. W. Tail, the retiring secretary and treasurer, were cordially thanked for their excellent services to the Club for several years.  Mr John Rutherford, who retired from the Committee, was also thanked for services rendered.

A HANDSOME SILVER CUP

Patrons and friends, including Earlstonians abroad, have generously subscribed a substantial amount to a fund which will enable the Club to purchase a handsome silver cup for competition at their annual September seven-a-side sports. It was decided to name the cup Earlston Rugby Football Challenge Cup, and that it would be competed for on September 7th for the first time.

Press Report From:  Berwickshire News:  2^nd October 1951

MATCH PLAYED SATURDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 1951: 

EARLSTON 8, KIRKCALDY 6

"Earlston Rugby XV had Kirkcaldy as visitors to Earlston. Earlston attacked early on but Clark, Kirkcaldy full back, brought relief with long kick to touch. L. Wilson, Earlston centre, made a great break through, but knocked-on. McLeod, Kirkcaldy half, sent his threes away but Weatherley, Earlston full back, made a great tackle and prevented a score. Kirkcaldy were awarded a free kick and Hamblin, narrowly missed. After a great run Falconer was crash-tackled near the line.

Earlston continued to press and Clark fielding a long ball was nearing Earlston line when he made an effort to pass J. Cowe, who, however, grassed him. Earlston forwards broke away, ably led by G. Wilson, hooker and captain of the team, from a loose rush R. Bell scored. Reid goaled from an easy position, shortly before the half-time whistle blew.

On resuming, Kirkcaldy attacked and from a scrum the ball went to Hamblin, who raced over to score.  The same player failed to convert.   Earlston defence were under pressure for a time, but L. Wilson and J. Weatherly brought relief with good touch kicking. J. Rutherford, Earlston winger, broke away and was going all out for the line, but Clark tackled him.  Earlston threequarters again attacked, but Clark again averted a score.  Reid, the drop goal opportunist, dropped a lovely goal for Earlston.  Nearing full time Kirkcaldy scored another try through McLeod.  Hamblin failed with the kick from an easy position. 

Result: Earlston. one goal, one dropped goal (8 points); Kirkcaldy, two tries (6 points).

Earlston team was: —J. Weatherly; J. Rutherford, W. Falconer. L. Wilson, and A. Dickinson: E. Reid and M. Whiteford; R. Bell, G. Wilson, J. Cowe, W. Kerr, J. Wilson, W. Sheridan, D. Mundell, and R. McQuillin."

Earlston Rugby Football Team 1960

Earlston Rugby Football Team at Biggar 1984 after winning a League title. 

Sources

• Earlston Rugby Club on Wikipedia
• Earlston Rugby Club on Facebook
• British Newspaper Archive 
• Photographs from Auld Earlston Collection  
  

    Contributors:  James McQuillin and Susan Donaldson of the Auld Earlston Group. 

**************