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Seven-a-sides
The Stewart's F.P. Football Club did not take
part regularly in seven a side tournaments until after the
First World War. Nonetheless, the club had contested two
finals, the first at Melrose in 1913 when Hawick were the
winners and the second at Gala in 1914 when the host club
were successful.
In 1920 the club had its first ever success
at Melrose and the Edinburgh Infirmary Charity tournament
at Inverleith. The Inverleith tournament was won again in
1928 and 1930 but the only other successes between the wars
were at Jedforest in 1934 and Hawick in 1937.
It was after the war that the club started
to gain a reputation in the 'art' of playing sevens. In
the 'forties' the club was served well by an impressive
trio of forwards. On one occasion when Craig, Koren and
Govan took the field a local supporter at Jedforest was
heard to shout "Man, they're high buggers, they Stewart's!"
These forwards secured good possession and the backs such
as Anderson, Foubister, Tait, Baird and Bennett had plenty
of opportunities to show their skills. C Ross was an accomplished
sevens centre and A Lowes a wide ranging forward both of
whom figured in winning teams, the most notable year being
1948 when Murrayfield, Jedforest and Langholm Tournaments
were won.
Click on picture to enlarge
In the 'Fifties' the Club was no less successful
- winning several tournaments including Melrose in 1956.
A new half back pairing of Sharp and Robertson were as capable
at sevens as their predecessors and Weatherstone and Ireland
were strong runners out wide. The forward trio of J C M
Sharp, Relph and Pryde lacked the physique of previous sevens
forwards but had those particular skills needed in the abbreviated
game. Clark Sharp's quick wittedness was a feature of their
play, never better shown than on an occasion when, waiting
to catch a high ball with no support near him and two of
the opposition about to envelop him, he calmly headed the
ball into touch!
Click on picture to enlarge
In 1959 Murrayfield, Hawick were won with
Sinclair now in the centre and John Douglas in the forwards.
From 1957 to 1965 the club figured in the final at Murrayfield
and for every year bar one they were winners on six occasions.
Ironically, it was the year that the club was invited to
the Twickenham sevens. They played exceptionally well and
only lost to the brilliant London Scottish team. The teams
in the 'Sixties' included Hinshelwood and Forsyth as three
quarters with J Miller at scrum half and Cartwright at hooker.
By 1973, the club had played in 50 sevens
finals and had won on 26 occasions. Click here
for the full record.
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