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
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Earlston Rugby Football Team, 1932
Press Reports from: Southern Reporter, 22nd
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: 2nd 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
Contributors: James McQuillin and Susan Donaldson of the Auld Earlston Group.
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