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'Dirty Daniels'
The Club has never lost its reputation for
uncompromising forward play and it seems to have been about
this time that the description the 'Dirty Daniels' came
into use. The players used this epithet as a rallying call
and eventually the Daniels song emerged from an unknown
poet:
They say that the Daniels ain't got
any style,
But they're style all the while, style all the while,
They say that the Daniels ain't got any style,
But they're style all the while, all the while
D -A - N - I - E - L - S Daniels!
The tune bore a passing resemblance to the
English Folk song ' Come to the Fair' and it was heard in
many a Clubhouse or changing room whether in praise of victory
or defiance in defeat.
Roaring Twenties
The loss of J C R Buchanan and C V Hendry
to appointments in England robbed the club of great experience
which was very hard to fill and meant that there were several
mediocre seasons. The only highlight being the selection
of J W Scott for a cap against France. Indeed, the club
was devastated by the death of Finlay Kennedy at the tragically
early age of 33. He had contracted Malaria while serving
with the Lovat Scouts in the Middle East and the Club and
Scottish rugby lost a great sportsman and gentleman.
Results of the 1st XV were mixed during the
this period but the club itself was thriving. Five teams
played virtually throughout the season and were very successful.
The Depression
During the Thirties the Club had some excellent
teams and far from being depressed by the economic outlook,
the Club continued to grow and develop.
In 1929-30 good wins were achieved against
Kelvinside, Heriot's, West of Scotland, Edinburgh Wanderers
and a 5-3 triumph over Hawick. This was the best showing
of the club in the championship since 1921. This was the
first time the 1st XV had scored over 300 points. There
had been 79 tries scored, 62 by backs and 17 by forwards.
H P Mather, J Graham and H B Johnson played
for Edinburgh and Bill Agnew was selected for Scotland against
Wales and Ireland. He is the youngest Stewart's FP ever
to be capped at nineteen years of age. The following season
M S Stewart was capped against South Africa Wales and Ireland.
Click on picture
J B Borthwick became captain in 1937-38 and
an excellent team was developed. The introduction of E Anderson
at scrum half coupled with L G Doig at stand off improved
the back play despite early losses against Kelvinside and
Heriot's. However, wins at Hillhead, Selkirk and Glasgow
High followed by easy victories against Melrose and Edinburgh
Academicals set the Club up for a challenge for the Championship.
Wins against Watsonians, Melville, Hawick and Edinburgh
Wanderers secured the Championship. It was unfortunate that
they lost the final match of the season at Goldenacre 18-7.
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