Selkirk celebrate record year

Published 23 May 2010 12:02 0 Comments

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FOND FAREWELL. Selkirk 1st XV captain Michael McVie presents outgoing coaches Michael Jaffray (left) and Kevin Barrie with engraved quaichs.

THE 2009/2010 season might have been one of the longest, most weather-affected and most difficult in Selkirk Rugby Club's 103-year history, but it will also go down as one of the Philiphaugh club's most successful.

This was the upbeat message Selkirk president Donald Macleod delivered to the 130 members and guests who packed the Philiphaugh Suite on Saturday night for the club's annual dinner.

"Winning the Radio Borders Border League title for the third season in a row was an incredible achievement," he said, "and reflects great credit on the players, coaches and team management.

"Securing our place in Premier One was an equally impressive achievement, underlining just how hard everybody worked to put things right after a difficult start to the campaign, which had seen the 1st XV lose its first five league matches. The team's fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude has been an inspiration to us all."

The president had demonstrated his own resilience by completing the 'Hearts & Heroes' 29-mile charity trek just hours before the dinner. Other Selkirk participants included development officer Iain Paxton, junior vice-president Gordon Hunter, 'A' coach Guy Blair, 'A' XV captain Fraser Jack, committee member David Williamson and former players Jim Ross and Denver Rumney.

The toast to "The Game & Club" was proposed by former Scotland and British Lions wing threequarter Roger Baird, replete in Japanese pilot livery, who went on to present the 2010 players awards later in the evening. He congratulated the club on its Border League triumph, and said Selkirk's far-sighted youth policy was at the heart of the club's recent successes.

Selkirk 1st XV skipper Michael McVie made suitable reply, thanking the players for the tremendous support he had received throughout the season. He had a special word of thanks for outgoing coaches Kevin Barrie and Michael Jaffray, and on behalf of the players presented the pair with engraved quaichs and an etching by Bryan Hoggan.

Michael also congratulated the 'A' XV for finishing top of the Border Farm Supplies Championship and reaching the final play-off for the second successive year. Other highlights had included Selkirk winning its own sevens tournament for the third season in a row, lifting the Berwick Sevens cup for the first time, the 'A' team winning Selkirk Junior Sevens and the newly formed Stormers side fulfilling every single one of its fixtures and finishing seventh in the league.

The skipper also had a special word of praise for the outstanding achievements of Selkirk Youth Club in the season gone by. "They have done the whole town proud. Winning the Border Semi-Junior League title with an unbeaten record was an incredible achievement, and to win every single sevens tournament bar one was also a tremendous feat.

"We are looking forward to seeing the bulk of this side up here at Philiphaugh next season, and I can assure each of these players that they'll receive a warm welcome and plenty of support and encouragement."

The toast to 'Our Guests' was proposed by Selkirk's 1st XV assistant team manager John Smail, with St Boswells vet Nigel Brown (proud father of internationalist Kelly Brown) making a typically witty and insightful reply. A vote of thanks by Selkirk's senior vice-president Eric Forster brought a successful evening to a close, with musical entertainment throughout the night having been provided by Tommy Knox.

Earlier an engraved tankard had been presented to 2010 Royal Burgh Standard Bearer Douglas Gunn to mark his term of office, while special salvers were presented to Lee Jones and Alex Dunbar to commemorate their involvement with the Scotland sevens and under-20 squads. Both players were wished every success in their new pro. careers with Edinburgh and Glasgow.

2010 PLAYER AWARDS

Boag Cup (Selkirk RFC Player of the Year) - Scott Hendrie.

Oliver Lawson Quaich (top 1st XV try scorer) - Fraser Harkness (13 tries).

Neil Redpath Cup (most committed 'A' XV player) - Selkirk 'A' squad.

Wat Henderson Quaich (outstanding performer in first season at Philiphaugh) - Darren Clapperton.

Tom Henderson Trophy (special achievement by 1st XV player) - Lee Jones.

Bell Cup (club's best tackler) - Darren Scott.

Gary Selkirk Cup (club's best trainer) - Gordon Patterson.

Brian Roden Cup (most improved Stormers player) - Willie McClymont.

1st XV Player's Player of the Year - Scott Hendrie.

'A' XV Player's Player of the Year - Rory Banks.

Stormers Player's Player of the Year - Willie McClymont.

* It was announced at the dinner that Selkirk 1st XV's captain next season will be full-back Fraser Harkness, with wing forward Neil Darling acting as vice-captain.

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