South see silverware on the horizon

Published 18 Dec 2009 10:26 0 Comments

BORDER League secretary John Thorburn celebrated the return of district rugby this week - by unveiling a new trophy.

South of Scotland are due to tackle Northumberland at Mansfield Park in Hawick on Wednesday, December 30 (kick-off 7.30pm).

They will play for this piece of silverware which has been put up by sponsors Qube UK Ltd, here represented by Darren Bunker. It was unveiled at an informal press conference at Netherdale in Galashiels on Monday.

The South has not played a match in more than a decade after the advent of professional rugby led to its demise. It drew its players from over the South of Scotland, mainly the Scottish Borders, where there has always been a proud tradition of rugby union.

Attendances at 'South' games often numbered well into the thousands, with an attendance of 10,000 reported at the South versus New Zealand match at Hawick in 1972.

As many of the Border sides, most notably Gala, Hawick, Selkirk and Jed Forest, produced many international players and even Lions, the South proved worthy competition for the touring sides from the Southern Hemisphere.

The South twice drew with South African touring sides (1931-32 and 1969-70) and twice beat Australian touring teams (1966-67 and 1984-85).

The revival of the side, and its famous red and white strip, has been widely welcomed across the Borders and beyond.

The initial 35-man training squad announced earlier this month features players from all of the area's Premier 1 and 2 teams.

Head Coach Craig Chalmers will be in charge, along with John Dalziel, both of Melrose, when the squad - which includes Ryan McConnell of Peebles - meets for its first training session on December 16.

Border League secretary John Thorburn said: "The Border League are the driving force behind this initiative and we are all keen for it to be a success."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 18 Dec 09

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