Edinburgh 2000
In 2000 the Blue Sox XV tour squad packed their bags and on this occasion headed for Edinburgh. Twenty-six tourists of all ages and size travelled and most arrived in one piece. A quiet evening was spent taking in the sites of the ancient city before returning for the pre match brief. On the Saturday our hosts were the historic club Edinburgh Academicals RFC. However, in true Blue Sox fashion the tour party began the day as a search party as a couple of senior tourists lost all sense of time and direction.
Lineout.
We did however manage to make it to the ground on time. Once again the tourists were complimented on their turnout on arrival (number one dress as usual)
The game was against an Edinburgh Accies select whose tour name was Edinburgh Apatheticals. The Accies started strongly but once the Sox got started they ran out very comfortable winners, notching up their first tour win on "foreign soil".
The Apatheticals were excellent hosts and once the exchanging of ties and plaques and speeches was over, the pleasantries began. This of course meant the production of the tour mascot "The Boot". After some initial hesitation the Accies soon got the hang of it and were more than pleasantly surprised with it's cultured taste. Needless to say a great night was had by all.
On the way home the usual court was held and our thanks go to His Honour Judge Damian Tucker for the most lenient sentences ever. Not! Thanks also to the three wise men who kept order through out the tour and added to the kitty with their fines policy.
The tourists were; Paul Cairns, Brian Clinghan, Kris Eadie, Michael Ewbanks, Don Ferris, Stevie Gilmore, Sandy Heak, Austin Hewitson, Oliver Howe, Johnny Johns, Gareth Kelly, Wayne Kerrigan, Ally Lewis, Mark Lewis, Ian Liddle, Richy Longmore, Rob MacAuley, Johnny Maxwell, Barney McKevitt, Stevie Nicholl, Michael Oliver, James Porter, George Scott, Ian Scott, Michael Sneddon, Damian Tucker and Neil Williamson
Captain for the match was Paul Cairns.
Scottie takes a breather.
Ali, Richy, Kris and Mark relax.
A wet day in Edinburgh.
1997 - Oldham 1998 - Newcastle 1999 - Cardiff 2001 - Netherlands 2002 - Isle of Man 2003 - Czech Republic 2004 - Uxbridge 2005 - Estonia 2006 - Blackpool 2007 - Germany 2008 - Devon 2009 - Portugal 2010 - Irvine 2011 - Italy 2012 - Leeds