K R MACDONALD

1956 - France, Wales and Ireland
1957 - Wales, Ireland and England

Keith Macdonald played cricket in the school 1st XI from 1949-51 and rugby for the 1st XV in 1950-51. He was the first Stewart's boy to be picked for Scottish School boys against England but the game was cancelled due to bad weather. He became a regular member of the FP 1st XV when he left school. He played in all the 1955-56 District games and this led to him being selected to play for Scotland against France, Wales and Ireland but a leg injury prevented him from playing in the Calcutta Cup match against England.

The following season injury hampered his opportunities to play and it was not until December that he was back playing regularly. Nonetheless, he forced himself into the Scotland team and he played against Wales, Ireland and England and toured the Midlands with the Barbarians.

Injuries again kept him inactive in 1957-58 until the last few weeks of the season but in 1958-59 he was fit enough to play in District matches and trial games. In fact, he was selected to play against England partnered by Grant Weatherstone, which would have been an historic occasion for the club, but on the morning of the match he had to withdraw due to his recurring knee problems.

He was an outstanding strong running centre with a powerful hand off but it was probably for his defence that he was most respected. This was put to good effect by Scotland at a time when their attacking abilities were seldom put to the test and the press accorded him high praise for his 'devastating tackling' on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, injuries cost him many opportunities of playing more internationals.

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