St Boswells RFC Clubhouse

St Boswells Rugby Football Club

ST BOSWELLS RFC
5 Jenny Moore's Road
St Boswells
Melrose TD6 0AL
Tel: 01835 823792

President John Chick 01835 824766
Secretary Scott Elliot

A Short History
Founded in 1926, St Boswells RFC has, over the years, had many highs and lows. It closed in 1932-33 and went into liquidation at the start of the Second World War. In 1946 it was resurrected and has remained in existence ever since.
Now playing at Jenny Moore's Road, on a Council-owned pitch, the club has played at Newtown St Boswells, the Holmes, near Greycrook, the field at the Curling Pond, and in fact, wherever they could find a flat field which was large enough and not liable to flooding.

Having a "moveable" pitch meant that there could be few fixed facilities; for example, the Club used the ex-Army baths which used to be at the old bus station. In 1951, with the new school and associated ground being made available, the club purchased two huts for changing accommodation. However, soon afterwards, they were on the move again. By 1966 the club was really struggling with a downturn in the interest of the public. The committed men and players of the past were gone, and few younger ones were prepared to turn out to play, never mind to be on the committee. They played on with a very understrength side, and lost all 15 matches that year. Increasing travelling costs made sure that the financial state of the club was always parlous. Fund raising events to cover the running costs became more and more important, even when the cricket club premises were used for serving teas and entertaining visiting sides.

The possibility of getting Scottish Sports Council Grant funding, put even more pressure on fund raising as 50% funding was what was on offer. Plans were drawn up, sums done, and in February 1983, work started on the new pitch and clubhouse at Jenny Moore's Road at a cost of £36, 500, £16,771 of which came from grants. The rest came from fund-raising, loans from Scottish Brewers, members' loans, village groups and other benefactors. The new clubhouse was opened on 21st September 1983.

Now playing in the Edinburgh District League, the club had spawned a second fifteen, had started a 200 club, and at the AGM in 1984, a profit was declared and repayment of loans started. The club finished third in their league and won their own sevens tournament. Profitability continued as the club first fifteen moved into Division 7, then Division 6, then Division 5 of the National Leagues, with the second fifteen now playing in Division 1 of the Edinburgh District Seconds Leagues.

The extra profitability allowed renovation and extension of the clubhouse facilities in 1989. With the first team now playing in Division 3, the clubrooms were again extended, money coming from grants, loans etc again, and the extension opened in 1993.

In 1996, the club, now in National League Division 2, held a 70th Anniversary function when the following was published to sum up the story of the club to that date:

"1926 to 1996 has seen St Boswells Rugby Club rise from humble beginnings, revived in 1946, almost closed in 1966, came into their own in 1983 when they found what they were looking for – a permanent ground and clubhouse, and how members rallied to the call in 1983 and again in 1987 and 1992 to make the present Clubhouse what it is today.

The people of Newtown and St Boswells have given generously to fund raising. The Club is a business now, and owes so much to the Presidents, the Treasurers and Secretaries and to the Committees who have served the Club. Also, the Ladies Committee who have contributed so much to the running of the Club, to its Sponsors and to its members who frequent the Club.

The amateur code is gone, professionalism is here and the talk of money has taken over and some Clubs are more interested in their own development. Let's hope it is not at the expense of the smaller clubs. We are entering the unknown, and our survival depends on how we meet the future. The Committee is hopeful we can take a lead and keep the Club going forward."

Today, in late 2006, the Club is still there, playing, but problems, both on and off the field, are gathering. Let us hope the Club can continue.

SCOTTISH HYDRO ELECTRIC EAST LEAGUE DIVISION 2 2008-09

Saturday 30 August 2008
Moray House v St.Boswells

Saturday 6 September 2008
St.Boswells v Walkerburn

Saturday 13 September 2008
Earlston v St.Boswells

Saturday 20 September 2008
St.Boswells v Free

Saturday 27 September 2008
St.Boswells v Gala YM

Saturday 4 October 2008
Liberton v St.Boswells

Saturday 11 October 2008
St.Boswells v Edinburgh BATs

Saturday 18 October 2008
RDVC v St.Boswells

Saturday 25 October 2008
St.Boswells v Edinburgh Northern

Saturday 1 November 2008
Leith v St.Boswells

Saturday 29 November 2008
St.Boswells v Inverleith

Saturday 6 December 2008
St.Boswells v Moray House

Saturday 13 December 2008
Walkerburn v St.Boswells

Saturday 20 December 2008
St.Boswells v Earlston

Saturday 10 January 2009
Free v St.Boswells

Saturday 17 January 2009
Gala YM v St.Boswells

Saturday 24 January 2009
St.Boswells v Liberton

Saturday 31 January 2009
Edinburgh BATs v St.Boswells

Saturday 7 February 2009
St.Boswells v RDVC

Saturday 21 February 2009
Edinburgh Northern v St.Boswells

Saturday 7 March 2009
St.Boswells v Leith

Saturday 28 March 2009
Inverleith v St.Boswells

KICK-OFF TIMES SEASON 2008-09
LEAGUE FIXTURES
From 30th August up to and including 25th October 2008 3.00pm
1st November 2008 to 24th January 2009 2.00pm
Remainder of Season 3.00pm