Newcastle 1998
When Lyle Cairns moved on to greater things a stalwart band of dedicated tourists decided to keep the "Socials" alive. Lyle was however, able to make the journey east to join up with the tour.
The 1998 tour was organised for December, the destination Newcastle upon Tyne. It seemed like a good idea at the time to go by sea and bring our own coach with us. A good idea until the snow started! Interest was such that the tour party had to be extended to 29 players, officials and alikadoos. Morpeth Edwardians XV was the opposition and even though the match was lost the overall tour was a great success.
The tourists were; Angus Bicker, Timo Brown, Lyle Cairns, Paul Cairns, Stevie Carlton, Dale Carson, Brian Clinghan, Stevie Cross, Kris Eadie, Davy Edwards, Michael Ewbanks, Kris Eadie, Austin Hewitson, Jonathon Hewitson, Mark Irwin, Andy Jelly, Gareth Jelly, Wayne Kerrigan, Tony Lenaghan, Johnny Maxwell, Alan McDowell, John McIlwaine, Barney McKevitt, Stevie Nelson, James Porter, George Scott, Ian Scott, Michael Sneddon and Neil Williamson.
Evidence that there was snow on the ground!
Contesting lineout as Neil Williamson prepares to pounce.
The tour crew.........well most of them!
All aboard.
A quiet moment of reflection.
Stevies favourite position.
1997 - Oldham 1999 - Cardiff 2000 - Edinburgh 2001 - Netherlands 2002 - Isle of Man 2003 - Czech Republic 2004 - Uxbridge 2005 - Estonia 2006 - Blackpool 2007 - Germany 2008 - Devon