Coming soon to Portobelly Telly... (Portobello Rugby 70s)

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 25 Feb 2010, 22:28

You are going to love this! Currently in the editing suite - never before seen footage of Portobello High School First XV v Leith circa 1972.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 25 Feb 2010, 23:13

Ooooh before my time but that will be very interesting. I'm really looking forward to that.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 25 Feb 2010, 23:14

Did you wear number 8?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 26 Feb 2010, 00:07

Yes but I also wore: 6, . If its the period your thinking of I believe number 8 may be a Scot Hunter. Are the jerseys hooped or dark with a V on the chest?If itd the latter its post 1975.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 26 Feb 2010, 07:18

Hoops. The no 7 looks like he has ginger hair if that helps. We think it is 1972 or possibly 1973. Hope to work on it over the weekend.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 26 Feb 2010, 10:33

If the season was 1972 to 1973 then I remember this quite well. I was in 4th year and this was my first season in the first XV.

The back row contained Alex Preston (Number Eight) and Stewart Graham (No.7) who were truly brilliant players and only in their 5th year at the time. I was just a young pup and not good enough for the back row so I played in the second row with a guy called Andrew McKenzie (we would be Nos. 4 & 5). The only other 4th year player in the team was Mark Forrest who played as prop in the front row. Mark now works in the Oman as a Civil Engineer but still comes over to Porty a couple of times a year. He hosts an annual summer mega wine fest under the guise of a BBQ!

The captain of the team that year was Dean Berry.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Feb 2010, 17:26

I now have a rough edit of the game on YouTube, which you can view at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50G-faEDBZA

I will be adding titles and perhaps even a commentary at some point. In the meantime, I'm looking for names of the participants. We still think it's the 72/73 season. The game is against Leith Academy and played at Hawkhill. Alan Mekie is no 9 and David Mekie no 10. Filmed in Super 8 by David Mekie senior.

It would be nice to know the score as well if someone could retrieve that information from the record books. I assume Portobello High were victorious on this occasion.

Still a few more treats to come from David's film archive, including a girls rugby match he organised in 1987.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 27 Feb 2010, 18:02

Superb- think POP is the ginger, recognise both mekies and its John Campbell on the left wing. POP will def provide more info. Those playing fields are housing now. They were crap. Much better facilities at Leith Accies now.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Feb 2010, 18:42

The next film is now available to view at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSefp-bReM8

I think this is either 1970 or 1971. Opponents may be Royal High. Again, any info gratefully received.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 27 Feb 2010, 20:06

And one more for you at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxfzcbsnusA

It's the girls' turn this time from January 1987. Anyone there you recognise?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 27 Feb 2010, 21:02

Mr Poppy says that the second film is also versus Leith Academy at Hawkhill.

The girls rugby puts me in mind of the football in Gregory's Girl!

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 03 Mar 2010, 16:50

Bob your first film is not 1972/73 but actually the season following - 1973/74 when I was in my 5th year.

Stewart Graham was the captain and others I could identify include Alex Preston, Stuart Nickerson, Scott Hunter, John Campbell, both Mekie brothers and Mark Forest. I will have a closer look later and see who else I can see. What a team!

portyfrog · Post by **portyfrog** » 25 Oct 2012, 09:18

If it is 1973/74 (and I think it may be) the team (from the year photo, so not necessarily exactly the same on that day) was:
Stuart Nickerson (hooker), Malcolm Gentle (prop), Mark Forrest (prop), Scott Hunter (2nd row), Andy McKenzie (2nd row), Stuart Graham (flanker), David (Dozy) Davidson (flanker), Alex Preston (No. 8 ), Alan Mekie (scrum-half), David Mekie (fly-half), Mike Deveney (centre), Davie Stevenson (centre), John Grady (wing), John Campbell (wing), Bill Adair (full back). The coach was Alistair Cuthberston, who was also head of the Art dept.

The team played 27, won 23 - lost 4, 799 pts for - 87 against, 153 tries for - 9 against.

Can't remember the result on that day.

Also won the Edinburgh Schools Sevens at Murrayfield, beating Stewart's-Melville in the final.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 25 Oct 2012, 18:04

portyfrog wrote:....Also won the Edinburgh Schools Sevens at Murrayfield, beating Stewart's-Melville in the final.

Remember it like yesterday and a truly brilliant day for Porty playing the final on the hallowed Murrayfield turf. Stewart's Melville had a great team with three Calder brothers in the forwards, John, Finlay and Jim and guys like Simon Scott in the backs. Fantastic stuff and if I ever move house I would probably find some photos or the medal in some darkened corner of the loft!

portyfrog · Post by **portyfrog** » 25 Oct 2012, 21:29

Yes, it was great day. I think we were the first state school to win it (can anyone confirm?) Cubby was never the emotional type, but there was a tear in his eye that day (he was an old Heriots boy). We thought they were invincible, but quietly discovered that somehow we were too. Was there medals? I must check my loft ....

For the record, I tried to remember the 4 defeats - I have (wild guess):

Watsons (sure)
Dundee
North Berwick
Heriots

Can anyone correct.....

Also, is their any record of the 74/75 side, in my opinion just as good, but sadly I have no record....

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Coming soon to Portobelly Telly... (Portobello Rugby 70s)

Coming soon to Portobelly Telly... (Portobello Rugby 70s)

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