News & Views

Stewarts Melville FP Rugby Team Riding High

21st February 2020

RobMac’s continued sponsorship of the StewMel FP Rugby team is looking like a good move as the team are riding high in the Tenant’s National League Division Two.

The club’s objective for the season is to gain promotion back to division one where they were two years ago. With two thirds of the season gone, it’s tight at the top but the team are in pole position with just 7 matches to go.

On Saturday 15th February, RobMac invited some clients to join them for lunch at Inverleith prior to watch the game against Preston Lodge.  The guest speaker was Iwan Tukalo, the former Scottish winger with the enviable record of scoring 15 tries in his 37 caps and playing in the team that last won the Grand Slam in 1990. He was introduced by Lion’s legend Fin Calder (also in the 1990 Scotland team) and took questions from twin brother Jim Calder (also a Lion’s member and scorer of the winning try 1984 Scotland Grand Slam team!). Questions were then thrown to the audience which ranged from a look back into the past and to Scotland’s current form.

Iwan took the opportunity to promote an idea that he had to raise money for the Hearts & Balls charity which supports rugby players and their families that have suffered serious injury or bereavement. He is getting together legends from both the 1984 and 1990 Grand Slam teams for a celebration dinner at the EICC on Friday 8th May 2020. Tickets are available from https://www.grandslam.scot/

The game against Preston Lodge was played in atrocious conditions with strong winds and horizontal rain having a bearing on the way the match was played. StewMel came out on top with a disciplined performance that saw them running out winners 18 – 0.

Supporters gratefully enjoyed the protection of the West stand which was pleasingly full and of great reassurance to the club to see so many turning out given the conditions.

Andrew Hannay of RobMac with Jim and Fin Calder

Andrew Hannay said ” It was a fun day and we are delighted to be to help support the club and wish them well for the rest of the season.”