The Watsonians team shown in the photograph above includes: Back Row -D. S. Paterson, D. R. Harvey, R. J. N. Patrick, A. M. Hunter, R. S. Tolbert, J. B. Mitchell, P. C. A. Baker, D. E. D. Neave, G. Robertson and R. H. Blake. Middle Row - D. D. Mathieson, P. C. Forbes, I. Robertson, A. L. McLaren, P. Gallagher (Captain), A. C. McNish, W. S. Henderson, R. G. Young and D. J. Hood. Front Row - A. I. Gregor and M. Watters.
From the match programme:-
“NOTES”
“Since our lost home game on 8th December against Bristol we have continued in winning vein with creditable away victories over Aberavon and Harlequins. In both games we had to field re-shuffled sides due to Welsh ‘squad’ calls, sickness and injury, so the results prove that we are fortunate in having a flexible nucleus of players strong enough to uphold the prestige of the club. Douglas Boyle who played in our first four games played for us against the Harlequins last Saturday, and he is now available when he has no Services calls. He played for the successful Oxford University XV and Combined Services XV against the South Africans, besides making his third appearance for the Dark Blues against Cambridge Univ.”
“The Watsonians opened their Christmas tour at Swansea two days ago. We welcome them today for our traditional Boxing Day match. This famous ‘Old Boys’ side have over the years played sterling rugby against us, often in atrocious conditions and more than once were triumphant. They were formed in 1872 and we have a long association with them, in fact they recorded wins over us twice between 1904 and 1908. Their outside-half is Ian Robertson who did so much for Scotland on 6th December against the Springboks.”
“The ‘Boks’ second excursion into Wales provided them with two good wins over a Combined Aberavon and Neath XV and Cardiff, but by losing to England they are now faced with the possibility of losing all the international encounters if Ireland and Wales ‘come good’.”
“Tomorrow we are away to Ebbw Vale but we shall not have the services of John Jeffrey, Barrie Llewellyn and Del Haines who have been selected for the Barbarians to play against Leicester. John is an established ‘Baa Baa’ having played for them on their South African tour early this summer. Barrie was selected to play for them against Oxford University but had to cry-off because of sickness, so with Del receiving his first invitation we shall be well represented in their pack.”
“To-day is our last game in ‘69 so we can review our record to date at the half way mark. We have played 22, won 15, lost 6, drawn 1, with 349 points for and 205 points against. Our victory over the South Africans was the highlight. Our six defeats included four away: to Newbridge, Neath, Gloucester and London Welsh and two on this ground to Cardiff and Llanelli. The drawn game was at the Arms Park. We go into 1970 with away games at Bridgend and Swansea and return home on Saturday, 17th January, when Abertillery will be our visitors.”
“A dance will be held in the Rodney Hall tonight, with both teams in attendance.”
“A HAPPY NEW YEAR.”