JACK Dun received an honours cap from Melrose Rugby Club earlier this month after attending his 80th Sevens tournament.
Jack was inducted into the Melrose Sevens’ hall of fame to celebrate the milestone in a competition he started attending in 1934.
And of a possible 82 tournaments, the Mansfield Care resident missed only two while he was serving with the British Army in India in 1947 and 1948.
President of the Melrose Rugby Club in 1983 – marking the centenary year of the Sevens competition – Jack was presented with his cap by former Scotland and British & Irish Lions player, John Jeffrey, during the honours presentation with his grandson Matthew.
Jack, 96, who now lives in St John’ Care Home in Melrose said: “It came as a total shock to be inducted into the hall of fame, but a surprise I am absolutely thrilled about. Melrose Sevens has played such an important role in my life and is the bedrock of bringing the local community together. I am extremely grateful for this tremendous honour the rugby club has bestowed on me.”
Jack started going to the Melrose Sevens tournament at the age of eight, when he was introduced to the event by his mother who took him to watch the final from the Weirhill just in front of the church in 1934.
After playing in the tournament for a number of years, and racking up 176 appearances for the first 15, Jack joined the ranks of match officials, and was later on the Scottish Rugby Union’s referee selection panel for many years.
The hall of famer has seen many players grace the turf at The Greenyards, but believes one particular player shone brighter than most.
Jack added: “The greatest player I recall was the magnificent Eddie Oxley. He should have been the first black player to be capped by Scotland, but society at the time prevented this from happening.
“He was terrific, and a natural leader, he played when I was a young boy and seeing him on the pitch certainly inspired me to get involved in the sport. One of the best players I’ve had the privilege of seeing.”
The Melrose Rugby Sevens is the oldest competition of its type in the world dating back to its inaugural tournament in 1883.
St John’s care home manager, Alison Grant, said: “This is a tremendous accolade for Jack, he has always talked about his enthusiasm for the Melrose Sevens, and for him to receive hall of fame status is a momentous occasion for him.”
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