Phew!!! Saturday’s Murrayfield Cup Final was decidedly not for the nervous and far too close for comfort. The boys established a great lead then managed to hang on despite being about out on their feet. Edinburgh Accies deserve great credit for running the Robbie Dyes so close. A big thank you to all who made the journey despite the ridiculously late kick-off time and to all who cheered us on from afar. The double double, which this time round is actually a treble, is still very much on but an old and by now very familiar adversary stand in our way and have every intention of spoiling the party. A big welcome once again to Currie President Charles Mullins, Director of Rugby Sean Scott, the coaches, players and bus-loads of supporters who have travelled down today from Malleny Park.
We’ve made it. Season 2023-2024’s last Hurrah. This will be my last President’s welcome. My time at the helm of our famous Club could not have gone better on the field – incredibly only one defeat in two seasons, a remarkable achievement by a band of brothers who have worn the iconic green jersey with such distinction including our Force lads who have carried all before them this season.
How most fittingly to celebrate this season’s 150th anniversary of the Club engaged the minds of our HRFC 150 sub-committee for three years beforehand. There were many dreams and schemes suggested and many ideas didn’t come to fruition but many did. The mural, unveiled by Greens’ legend Kevin Reid has been much admired. The re-enactment of the first ever game against Langholm with players in period dress playing, or at least supposed to be, to the laws of 1874 drew a large crowd to the cricket field. The two great exhibitions celebrating what would have been Bill McLaren’s 100th birthday and Hawick RFC’s sesqui-centenary continue to attract appreciative visitors to Hawick Museum. Please note that the Calcutta Cup is coming for a special one day only visit on Friday, 24th May. The “Voices of Hawick Rugby” book has sold well and had great feedback. The many Hawick players and members, who gave their lives in the two great conflicts of last century have now thanks to Bernie Armstrong a superbly crafted memorial seat overlooking the Mansfield turf which meant so much to them. Our celebratory dinner in the marquee on the pitch was years in the planning and was truly a night which the almost six hundred people privileged to attend will never forget – a truly special occasion. The big raffle, the lecture by Ron Smith and Allan McCredie, and Club Captain Shawn laying a wreath at the grave of Robert Michie who captained the first ever Hawick team all added to the commemoration. It had been intended to play a Hawick v the South match this Thursday night to culminate the celebration but sadly we have been informed that the South cannot get a team. It would be good to think this fixture will can be played at a later date but given the continuing uncertainty about next season’s structure realistically this is unlikely. We hope through time to be able to get the last piece into the 150th jigsaw if Hawick’s flood protection scheme – the most ambitious flood prevention project since Noah built the ark – is ever completed. We intend then to instal an entrance pathway with all our internationalists names on individual stones along the lines of the Hollywood walk of fame.
It is our hope that our 150th anniversary commemoration has done justice to the players who pulled on the Hawick jersey in that first ever game. I’m sure they would have been pleased to know that a century and a half on from its founding the club would still be going strong and be renowned throughout the rugby playing world.
Thank you on behalf of the players, coaches and committee, for your valued support and for sharing this remarkable journey with us.