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

[Bob Jefferson]

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]

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

[Bob Jefferson]

Did you wear number 8?

[Porty]

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]

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]

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]

[Porty]

[Bob Jefferson]

[Bob Jefferson]

[Poppy]

[Pal of Porty]

[portyfrog]

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]

[portyfrog]

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....