I just to want to share this little message with you, to remind you that at Selkirk Rugby Club we have something
special which has given us great times, great memories and has helped us get through tough times in the past.
The difficulties we are facing at present will be overcome by our resilience and if everyone pulls together - something
we have always done at Philiphaugh. You can be assured that the board and general committee will always put the
club first as we have done in the past. So please look after yourself, your families and others in our community.
GRAHAM MARSHALL IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS CLUB PAYS
TRIBUTE TO HIS REMARKABLE LEGACY Former Scotland &
British Lions coach Jim Telfer presents Graham Marshall with his special award.
Top table guests at the dinner (from left) – George McNeill, Richard Cockerill, Jim Harold and John Rutherford.
Scotland Club XV players Ewan MacDougall and Aaron McColm receive their photos from Finlay Calder.
Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill is interviewed by dinner chairman John Rutherford.
Ewan MacDougall, Ross Nixon, Henry Bithray, Aaron McColm, Luke Pettie and Graeme Mcgauchrane (Luke Pettie’s player
sponsor) enjoy the night.
Andrew McColm, Matthew Stanners, Liam Cassidy, Matthew Francis (at back), Robbie Reilly, Fraser Easson, Derry Alexander
and Scott Clark in jovial mood.
Kelso Rugby Club’s representatives at the dinner - Jim Hewit, Mike Minto and Keith Hook.
Bryan Hoggan is congratulated by quizmaster John Smail on winning the three-way tie-break.
Well-known running
coach Charlie Russell & George McNeill.
John Rutherford congratulates
draw winner Brian Cassidy.
[Photos by GRANT
KINGHORN PICS]
SELKIRK rugby would not be in the excellent shape it finds itself today, had it not been for the massive contribution
made to its development and wellbeing by former Selkirk player and coach Graham Marshall.
The debt the local rugby world owes Graham was recognised at a special sports dinner held last Friday night at
Philiphaugh, where the retired Selkirk High School Depute Headteacher received a surprise presentation from Selkirk
Rugby Club to mark his 32-year involvement with rugby in the town.
Dinner chairman John Rutherford told the 190-strong audience that Graham’s coaching and wise guidance had been
instrumental in helping no fewer than 26 Selkirk players* gain international honours at every level - from full
Scotland cap Lee Jones and Scotland 7s cap Ciaran Beattie, to Scotland under-18 ‘A’ player Ally Lyall and Scotland
under-17s player Colin Wood.
On the plinth of the trophy, made by local firm Caddon Design and presented to Graham by ex-Scotland and British
Lions coach Jim Telfer, appear the words: ‘To Marsh, for outstanding service and commitment to rugby in Selkirk’.
Genuinely taken aback by the award, Graham spoke of the huge impact living and working in Selkirk had had on both
him and his family.
“Although not my home town, after 32 years here I have a sense of belonging and being part of the community, and
it’s down to rugby and the kind of place this is.
“At Selkirk we have a reputation for producing some decent players. For the last three years that I coached at
Philiphaugh, out of every Saturday 1st XV squad no fewer than 14 out of the 20 players were Selkirk born and bred.
The number never fell below 70 per cent.
“I think that’s a massive statement about what goes on in this club, from minis, to the schools, to the Youth Club
and on to the senior Selkirk team.
“Over the years I’ve had lots of support, including John Rutherford (who does a massive amount of work for this
club), through to the teachers at the High School who have always committed to school rugby: not something that
happens at every school, even here in the Borders. I’ve also had massive support here at Philiphaugh.
“I’ve given a couple of chats to sixth year pupils as they leave Selkirk High, and the one thing I say to them
is that this town is like an anchor. They can go away and ply their trade in cities and far afield, and that’s
good.
“However, this place holds on to them, there’s always a connection, and that anchor always pulls them back. I believe
that sense of belonging in Selkirk is really, really special.
“I’m sure if you’re from Kelso, from Melrose or from another Border town, you have that as well, but I just think
it’s so special here and it’s something we need to hang on to.
“So thank you very much for this, it’s an absolute surprise but very much appreciated. Thanks a lot.”
Graham Marshall played rugby for Scottish Schools while a pupil at Currie High School, but for a while it looked
as though his sporting future might lie in the football sphere.
While playing for Hutchinson Vale Boys Club (alongside future Selkirk & Scotland team-mate Iwan Tukalo) he
was spotted by a Dundee Untied scout, and spent a season at Tannadice Park playing for the reserves.
Deciding rugby was a better option, Graham turned out for Jordanhill College while training to be a PE teacher,
and in 1988 joined Selkirk after taking up a post in the High School’s PE Department. He rose to become the school’s
Assistant and then Depute Headteacher, retiring in 2019.
Marshall made 67 appearances for Selkirk, scoring a total of 14 tries. He made his debut for the South against
Australia at Mansfield Park in November, 1988, before going on to win four caps for Scotland.
He began his coaching career with the Selkirk High 1st year team, and coached Selkirk Youth Club for a total of
15 years, taking them to three consecutive Murrayfield u-18 youth finals (winning the title by defeating Royal
High).
He also held coaching posts with Scottish Schools, Scotland u-18s & Scotland u-19s, and as well as having two
spells as Selkirk’s head coach, also spent a season at Goldenacre as coach of Heriot’s FP (a club his son Callum
continues to represent at Super6 level, and who has been capped for Scotland’s Club XV).
Other speakers at last Friday’s Sports Dinner were Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill and former world professional
sprint champion George McNeill, both of whom gave superb speeches.
The evening’s sports quiz was won by the ‘Hoggan’s Heroes’ team, after team captain Bryan Hoggan won a tie-break
against Ewen Robbie and Alan Wheelans.
Perhaps the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for former Selkirk player and coach Brian Cassidy, who along
with his wife Diane won the evening’s star prize – a champagne meal for two at Edinburgh’s prestigious Prestonfield
House Hotel.
As well as a silent auction, dinner organiser John Rutherford had arranged a bidding auction for one of Bill McLaren’s
‘Big Sheets’. The auctioneer was Skip Houston, and after some lively bidding the item was knocked down to Selkirk
RFC vice-president Jim Harold.
Finally, the Selkirk club is to make a donation to the Royal Signals Association from money raised at the event,
which will be in memory of former Selkirk RFC president Gus Boag.
*Selkirk players coached by Graham Marshall who have gone on to win international & national honours (for Scotland
sides, unless stated) –
Lee Jones, Alan Clark (Hong Kong), Scott Jeffrey, Darren Hoggan, Scott Tomlinson, Andrew Renwick, Colin Wood, Fraser
Harkness, Michael Rutherford, Ewan MacDougall, Aaron McColm, Nyle Godsmark and Ryan Godsmark (Belgium).
Ciaran Beattie, Callum Marshall, Angus Duckett, Gavin Craig, Mhairi Grieve, David Nichol, Ally Lyall, Fraser Irvine,
Grant Ruthven, Josh Welsh, Scott Hendrie, Craig Hunter (Scotland RL ‘A’ team) and Steven Laurie. (There may be
more, so apologies if your name has been unintentionally omitted!).
Upcoming Fixtures
/ Events
ALL RUGBY CURRENTLY
IN LOCKDOWN
A full list of games for season 2019 / 2020 can be
viewed on our 'Fixtures'
page
07/03 Selkirk ‘A’ 17, Heriot’s Blues 2nds 5 Report
A full list of results and reports for
all games played this season and the past 18 seasons can be accessed by clicking on the 'Results' link above.
.
Apologies for any bad language that
may be heard during this recording.
.
ROSS LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
AFTER FRUTILESS JOURNEY TO WALES
Welsh flanker Josh
Navidi and Ross Purves
USUALLY a trip to Cardiff to see the Six Nations
match between Wales and Scotland is a highlight of the year for rugby supporters north of the border.
However, this year’s ‘Welsh weekend’ proved a massive disappointment for Scotland fans, after the Welsh Rugby Union
called off the fixture at the 11th hour because of coronavirus concerns.
Three Selkirk players were among those who had already made the 400-mile journey south, only to have their hopes
of seeing the match dashed at the last moment.
“We left Selkirk at eight o’ clock on Friday morning,” Selkirk utility forward Ross Purves told the selkirkrfc.com
website, “and were just 10 minutes away from Cardiff when we heard that the game had been cancelled.”
Ross’s travelling companions were Sean Nixon and Mikey Davies, and the trio decided to book into their Airbnb accommodation
and then examine their options.
“It was definitely a big anti-climax,” said Ross, “and a bit surreal seeing both sets of supporters milling around
the centre of Cardiff not really knowing what to do.”
There was a silver lining to the trio’s cancellation cloud, however. Later that evening the Selkirk lads discovered
that four players from the Welsh team were inside the same pub.
The quartet were skipper Alun Wyn Jones, scrum-half Rhys Webb, centre Hadleigh Parkes and number eight Josh Navidi.
“It was a bit of a bonus seeing the Welsh players,” said Ross, “and despite there being no match we still managed
to have a good night.”
On Saturday morning the Selkirk lads decided the best thing to do would be to head back up to the Borders.
“I guess there were a lot of Scotland supporters in the same boat,” said Ross, “so at the end of the day everybody
just had to make the best of it.”
.
GOVERNING BODY ORDERS COMPLETE
HALT TO COUNTRY’S RUGBY PROGRAMME
SCOTTISH Rugby has suspended all rugby in Scotland
following the global spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
In the light of government restrictions on public gatherings and the resulting pressure on emergency services and
healthcare provision, Scottish Rugby has decreed there will be a short period without domestic competition (or
training) whilst a further assessment can be made. This ruling will be in effect up to, and including, March 29,
2020.
This will affect rugby in all domestic league and cup fixtures, training, festivals and other rugby events as well
as the FOSROC Super6 tournament, which come under Scottish Rugby's jurisdiction. During this suspension period,
Scottish Rugby will undertake further assessment and advise on any further action that may be required.
The Scottish Rugby Age-Grade Programme (male and female) will also be cancelled with immediate effect for the remainder
of the season. This includes all training sessions that were planned for the age-grade teams as well as all other
age-grade internationals for the rest of the season.
A Scottish Rugby spokesperson told the selkirkrfc.com website: “We have taken on board all expert medical advice
before now and we are taking a precautionary approach to give time to assess what the impact of coronavirus will
be on Scottish society in the coming weeks before deciding on next steps.
"This decision has been taken with the best interest of everyone involved in the game and in support of the
country's work to address the impact of coronavirus."
. . . BUT FINANCIAL SUPPORT IS
MADE AVAILABLE FOR CASH-STRAPPED CLUBS
A NEW £500,000 Club Hardship Fund (CHF) has
been set up by Scottish Rugby to offer financial assistance to grassroots clubs facing cash flow and immediate
financial challenges through the impact of coronavirus.
Designed to help clubs through the period of uncertainty created by the coronavirus outbreak, the CHF would release
funds to support identified financial issues caused by a lack of fixtures or pressures on other revenue streams.
With a lack of fixtures and reduction on public gatherings clubs may struggle for cash-flow and Scottish Rugby
wishes to help and support them.
In addition to the £500K Club Hardship Fund, Scottish Rugby is also accelerating its collective club support
payments by a month, to April from May, which will in itself exceed £500,000 in funding to ease the financial
burden.
Scottish Rugby will also be talking to all its key partners and stakeholders to generate wider support for the
CHF and to offer further practical support to our local clubs across Scotland.
Scottish Rugby chief executive, Mark Dodson said: “These are unprecedented times, and we are acutely aware of the
significant day-to-day financial challenges our member clubs will face in the coming weeks if fixtures cannot be
resumed in the mid to long-term, and if other planned fund-raising initiatives are curtailed.”
1st XV
(up to & including March 7th, 2020)
P 23 W 13 L 8 D 2
LEADING TRY SCORERS (after 23 matches): 9 – Henry
Bithray; 6 – Ewan MacDougall, Scott McClymont, Josh Welsh, Ryan Cottrell; 5 – Luke Pettie, James Bett; 4 – Callum
McNeill; 3 - Frazer Anderson, Peter Forrest, Aaron McColm, Jacob Henry; 2 – Bruce Riddell, Sean Rankin, Luca Berte,
Donald Nichol, Andrew McColm, Callum Anderson; 1 – Josh Mackay, Andrew Renwick, Luca Merolle, Jack Houston, Robert
Cook, Michael Waldron, Ross Purves, Nathaniel Armstrong. Tries scored: 80. Tries conceded: 70.
LEADING POINTS SCORERS (after 23 matches): 99 – Aaron McColm (3 tries, 10 penalties, 27 conversions); 55 - Henry
Bithray (9 tries, 5 conversions). Total points scored: 540. Total points conceded: 495.
MOST APPEARANCES (after 23 matches): 23 – Luca Berte; 22 – Peter Forrest; 21 – Luke Pettie, Ewan MacDougall, Luca
Merolle, Josh Welsh, Scott McClymont, Callum Anderson, Ryan Cottrell, Bruce Riddell; 20 – James Bett; 19 – Aaron
McColm; 18 – Frazer Anderson, Henry Bithray, Andy Mackay; 17 – Ross Nixon, Sean Rankin; 12 – Josh Mackay, Donald
Nichol; 9 – Callum McNeill.
‘A’ XV
(up to & including March 7th, 2020)
P 20 W 13 L 6 D 1
LEADING TRY SCORERS (after 20 matches): 9 – David
Cassidy; 8 – Nathaniel Armstrong; 5 – Jy Griffin, Kieran Monks; 4 – Lewis Martin, Robert Cook; 3 – Michael Waldron,
Ross Purves, Matthew Francis, Andrew Renwick; 2 – Robbie Reilly, Clark Young, Mark Rutter, Liam Blair, Gary Robertson,
Donald Nichol; 1 – Rory Hamilton, Matthew Brass, Andrew McColm, Matthew Mackay, Callum McNeill, Ryan Cottrell,
Josh Bain, Liam Cassidy, Grant Forrest, Peter Forrest, Bruce Riddell, Henry Bithray. Total tries scored: 72. Total
conceded: 58.
LEADING POINTS SCORERS (after 20 matches): 126 – Scott Clark (14 penalties, 42 conversions); 37 – David Cassidy
(6 tries, 1 penalty, 2 conversions); 35 – Nathaniel Armstrong (7 tries); Total points scored: 460. Total points
conceded: 365.
MOST APPEARANCES (after 20 matches): 18 – Liam Cassidy, Nathaniel Armstrong; 17 – Matthew Mackay, Mark Rutter,
Matthew Francis; 16 – Kieran Thomson, David Cassidy; 15 – Scott Clark; 14 – Harris Macdonell; 13 – Lewis Martin;
11 – Jy Griffin, Robbie Reilly, Jamie Turnbull, Paul Smail; 10 – Harry Aynsley, Ross Purves; 9 - Derry Alexander,
Matty Brass, Michael Waldron; 8 – Moray Haldane, Andrew Davidson, Liam Blair; 7 – Rory Hamilton, Kieran Monks,
Robert Cook, Andrew McColm; 6 – Grant Forrest, Harry Borthwick.
*********
TENNENT’S PREMIERSHIP
P
W
L
D
Pts
Marr RFC
16
14
1
1
69
Currie Chieftains
17
13
4
0
67
Hawick
16
12
3
1
60
SELKIRK
18
9
7
2
49
Aberdeen Grammar
18
8
10
0
39
Jed-Forest
18
6
12
0
36
GHA
18
6
12
0
34
Musselburgh
18
5
11
2
34
Glasgow Hawks
17
5
12
0
32
Edinburgh Accies
16
4
10
2
27
*****************************************
BOOKERS BORDER
LEAGUE (Pool ‘B’)
P
W
L
D
Pts
SELKIRK
3
2
1
0
11
Hawick
1
1
0
0
4
Peebles
1
0
1
0
1
Kelso
1
0
1
0
0
*****************************************
TENNENT’S RESERVE
LEAGUE EAST 1
P
W
L
D
Pts
Hawick Force
16
15
1
0
77
Musselburgh 2nds
16
12
4
0
63
Stew/Mel. 2nds
18
10
8
0
60
SELKIRK ‘A’
17
11
5
1
60
Edin. Accies 2nds
16
7
8
1
53
Heriot's Blues 2nds
15
7
7
1
45
Biggar 2nds
16
7
9
0
44
Currie Chieftains ‘A’
16
5
11
0
38
Boroughmuir 2A
16
3
10
3
33
Jed-Forest ‘A’
16
1
15
0
15
Sponsors
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LOOKING to celebrate in style? Selkirk Rugby Club’s
Philiphaugh Function Suite offers free room hire… and more! Professional DJ and party planner LAYLA ANDERSON is
available to hire for your party requirements. Photos can be projected on the suite’s big screen via our personalised
photo projection package. If you would like to book an event don't hesitate to get in touch with Selkirk Rugby
Club’s bar and events manager LAYLA ANDERSON on 07563 617 471.
… AND A GREAT VENUE FOR WEDDINGS!
The Philiphaugh Function Suite at Selkirk Rugby
Football Club is available to hire for weddings and receptions. Affordable and competitive rates. Professional
wedding decoration design and DJ hire also available. If you would like to book, don't hesitate to get in touch
with Selkirk Rugby Club’s bar and events manager LAYLA ANDERSON on 07563 617 471.
Photos and content of this site are the property of
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redistributed without the owner's prior written permission. Thank you. (Copyright 2000-2017)
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