Kelso High School S2 40
Crewe and Nantwich 5
CHARLIE STEWART CHALLENGE CUP
THE only rugby game in Kelso on Saturday was the grand match for the inaugural Charlie Stewart Challenge Cup, played between Kelso High School S2 and Crewe and Nantwich RFC.
The match was arranged between the son and son-in-law of Charlie Stewart, who was a past captain and president of Kelso, as well as being a past president of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Charlie’s grandsons Charlie Stewart (Kelso) and Calum Meakin (Crewe and Nantwich) captained their respective teams.
The Cheshire boys were on a mini-tour taking in Kelso and Duns and the game was played in excellent conditions and spirit.
The Crewe crew made the better start, but once the Kelso boys found their feet, the tries came.
The first came from Fraser Kerr, who looks a buzz bomb of a wing forward, and then two long distance gallops by Robbie McKinlay took the home side into a comfortable lead, especially as Gary Young slotted all the conversions which came his way. Kerr scored a second just before half-time.
Kelso had to work harder for their success in the second half. Kerr scored his third and Connor Gillan added a further try, which went unconverted.
Near the end of the game, Tom Shallcross crossed for an opportunistic try with a 25m dash up the touchline to get the visitors on the scoreboard.
The game gave the boys a chance to play on Poynder Park and also gave an opportunity to foster cross-border relationships.
The trophy was presented to the Kelso captain by John Jeffrey.