SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD student Gary Robertson made a dream first team debut for Gala Rugby Club last week - despite only getting a call-up just two hours before kick-off and then facing an hour long drive to get there.

He collected a winners medal in the Border League final victory over local rivals Melrose after coming on as a replacement at Berwick on Wednesday night.

The rising star, who had just returned from Poland with the Scotland under 18 squad, revealed he had been on the way to the gym when Gala Head Coach George Graham, who was driving to the match from his home in Carlisle at the time, asked him to step in after Samoan star Opeta Palepoi pulled out with an injury.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph after getting his hands on the oldest rugby union league trophy in the world, Robertson said: “I’m fair chuffed.” But he joked: “When I came back from Scotland duty I thought I’d get a week’s rest.” The former Langlee Primary and Galashiels Academy pupil came through the ranks at Netherdale, representing Gala Minis, Red Triangle, Wanderers and, ultimately, their senior side.

He has represented every Borders regional select available to date (under-16 and U18), the Borders South Schools at U17, as well as his country at under-16 and under-18 - including the 2014 FIRA-AER European Championship in Poland.

Gary was also the Scottish Schools shot putting champion for three years and Border Schools champion for five years. His oldest brother Craig and sister Lisa both have honours for their respective men’s and women’s Scotland age-grade rugby teams: Craig for U16, U17 and Club international, Lisa at age-grade through to senior level.

Recalling the dramatic turn of events which led to his first team debut, Robertson said: “I turned out at training last night (Tuesday) for a wee muck about, and then got the phone call at 4pm today (Wednesday) asking if I wanted to play because of one of the call-offs so I said 'yeah’, and just quickly got my bag ready and then off I came here.

“This is my first appearance (for the first team). I’ve had about five games for the Seconds and then that was me away with the Scotland squad. And then I was just back and into the first team. I’m just delighted, it is a brilliant end to the season, absolutely amazing.” Scotland under 18 teammate Ruairi Howarth was another making his first team debut for Gala last week.

And the club admitted it might not have to look far if it is to add to the squad during the close season.

Graham said: “Gary Robertson is a powerful, powerful boy. I think he’s maybe three stone heavier than his brother but maybe just as quick.

“I called him on the way up here (Scremerston) to ask him to play after OP called off and I was very impressed. I just need to teach him how to scrummage now and then he will probably be another one that I lose to the pros in the first season, but that’s my job.” “Ruari Howarth is another talented laddie that will do well. But there’s loads of boys there. Ewan Gunter has been playing well. I thought his service was very crisp. He got caught a couple of times at the back of the scrum but I was very pleased with him.”