Duns Rugby Club

The Duns RFC clubrooms were full for the Annual Dinner on friday evening, as the season reached a close.

President Tom Thorburn chaired proceedings, which began with an excellent meal prepared by the Ladies Committee. Working in very cramped conditions, the ladies once again produced an excellent dinner which was enjoyed by all, and before beginning the formal part of the evening the chairman proposed a vote of thanks for their hard work.

Before beginning the speeches, a loyal toast was proposed to The Queen.

There were, as usual, three toasts and three replies during the course of the evening. The toast to Duns Rugby Football club was proposed by David 'Dougal' Douglas from Hawick Wanderers RFC, and the reply was delivered by Duns RFC captain Scott Lindsay.

The toast to the game of Rugby Union football was delivered by Robin Dodyk from Kelso, with the reply by Dr. Bruce Auld from Duns.

Finally, the toast to the guests was delivered by Duncan Budge, who will captain Duns RFC next season, with the reply delivered in his own inimitable style by John Gordon from Walkerburn RFC. John had them rolling in the aisles with his risque humour and quickfire gags.

To round off proceedings, Derek Simpson proposed a vote of thanks.

Annual awards were also presented during the course of the evening. These went to :-

First XV
Players' player of the season - Jamie Renton
Committee's player of the season - Stuart Thomson
Most improved player of the season - Chris Williamson

Second XV
Player of the season - Jamie Semple
Most improved player of the season - Scott Turnbull

The Simpson Cup for Endeavour was presented to Michael Reed for his hard and unstinting work on behalf of the club throughout the season.

Guests from other clubs were in attendance, taking away with them the memory of an excellent evening at Duns RFC. However Berwick RFC were not amongst the guests, as they apparently were unable to find anyone willing to attend.

The dinner was once again organised by Eric Robertson, who as usual had gathered together an array of outstanding top table guests, and who deserves enormous praise for his efforts. Here's to next year, Eric !