Border Telegraph | Sport | Ali's Border connection

Monday, 8th September, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 29th November, 2005 14:26

Ali's Border connection

By Border Telegraph Sport

HE did not play at Murrayfield on Saturday, but one All Black has brought immeasurable delight to at least three Borders families…although all would be cheering on the Scots in their brave 29-10 defeat.

Ali Williams, whose roots are firmly in New Zealand, nevertheless has firm Borders connections and, although unknown to Galaleans at the time, was an interested onlooker at the 1996 Braw Lads’ Gathering.

Williams, a member of the All Blacks’ first XV if one can strike a balance between the two sides, which faced Wales and England and Ireland and Scotland, was also one of the driving forces in the Kiwis’ 3-0 series thrashing of the British and Irish Lions in the summer.

“I have always been a New Zealander,” said the 6ft 7in lock. But I have known about my Borders roots. I remember going to Galashiels in 1996 for the Braw Lads and that was a fantastic occasion.”

Williams’ grandmother is Doreen Fairgrieve, the Braw Lass in 1946. He is also related to former Gala RFC president Donald Fairgrieve and Scotland stand-off of the 1950s, Arthur Dorward.

“He was always a big lad, even at school,” said Arthur (Williams’ grandfather was his cousin). I think he was about 6ft 5in when he was only 15 or 16 years of age. I have always followed his career. He is a very hard player and he gives us an interest in the game.”

Doreen Fairgrieve married Harold Boothman, a Carlisle furniture salesman, in Galashiels and they had a daughter Helen, William’s mother.

She met a former Blackheath player, Ronald Williams, and they emigrated to New Zealand when they were married.

“We used to come across every two years when I was younger and visited North Berwick my late grandfather took me out for a game of golf.”

After the Kiwis’ win in the first test against the Lions, in which Williams won the Man-of-the-Match award, and scored, he telephoned Doreen. “I have spent a lot of time with her and I owe them and my grandpa a lot, and she keeps telling me I still have improvements to make.”

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