The Gryphons

Shetland Mid Summer 7's
Strathmore Gryphons / Angus Mercenaries win Plate

Four Strathie men made the trip to the Shetland Mid Summer 7's along with Ronne MacLennan from Arbroath and Shagger from the SPS, joined well by big John from Shetland, Orkney Dave and a few others throughout the afternoon. Managed by Inspector Gadget the men in Black defeated the Shetland Old Boy's to win the plate. The main event was won by the hosts beating Aberdeenshire who included James & Stuart in their final line up. More incriminating eveidence to follow

Four of Strathie's over 35's (Fred Crowe, Grahame Low, Ian Matheson & Gary MacGregor) joined Aberdeen Strollers and Blairgowrie to form the Tayside Strollers at the 2nd Scottish Golden Oldies Rugby Festival in Perth.

Six 20 minute matches with a ten minute break between each one in an afternoon was hard work for the forward pack who included 81year old Alistair Urquhart ( the festivals oldest player) who managed all the matches, SRU President Jim Stevenson donned his boots and joined us for a match.

The day started with a tough match against a strong Perthshire side followed by Waid, Mackie, Cartha Queens Park, Kirkcaldy/Hillfoots and finally Biggar. With an afternoons free whiskey from Famous Grouse the beer tent was a busy place Inveralmond Brewery provided the beer and Perthshire provided a dead (by the end of the day) pig and burgers for the barbecue a great time was had by all.

Photo's to follow

Hong Kong Phooey at the Golden Oldies WC

Report to follow!

Shetland Mid Summer 7's June 2010

With only 6 travelling up for the Shetland Mid Summer 7's it was always going to be a tough ask for the men in black, Aberdeenshire took one look at the impressive Mr Gadget and asked if they could merge rather than face the onslaught of the big man! Thankfully there were Shetland rugby players a plenty all willing to take a game not knowing the forfeits to await them during the evenings entertainment.

An eventful choppy ferry crossing was followed by the Shetland breakfast on a cold and windy day while the rest of the UK was bathed in warm sunshine. The wind had to be used to the advantage and the Mercenaries captained by Ronny kicked a long ball to set the tournament alight against the Shetland Old Boys. Aberdeenshire were impressive throughout with 5 forward players pushing through and young Harrod showing an amazing turn of pace which helped him to being the tournaments leading try scorrer
( he's fast but not bright - he plunged naked into the ice beer bucket for 30 seconds but kept his socks on in case his feet got cold in the water).

A great weekend away and well worth the long trip on the ferry, fantastic hospitality from the Shetland boy's - can't wait to get back!!

GOLDEN OLDIES FESTIVAL Perth 2nd May 2010

The day started with a tough match against a strong Perthshire side followed by Waid, Mackie, Cartha Queens Park, Kirkcaldy/Hillfoots and finally Biggar.

With an afternoons free whiskey from Famous Grouse the beer tent was a busy place Inveralmond Brewery provided the beer and Perthshire provided a dead (by the end of the day) pig and burgers for the barbecue a great time was had by all.

GOLDEN OLDIES FESTIVAL Perth 19th April 2009

Strathmore Gryphons played 3 matches, all in glorious sunshine on rock solid dusty pitches against some well drilled opposition with the odd dubious 'over' 35. First up were the Forth Valley Fossils followed by Dunfermline and Blairgowrie. In the spirit of Golden Oldies there are no scores kept, suffice to say we did win the toss on all three occasions.

Fred Crowe, 1 week short of his 71st Birthday played in Purple Shorts (GO Rule Not to be touched or obstructed in any way) but was straight into the first maul which confused the referee, this continued through the day as Fred made some crunching tackles. Fred was the oldest player in the festival unfortunately he missed the presentation - he was in his favoured place - the bar!

With free Famous Grouse Whiskey all afternoon, a good day was had by all with only a few knocks to Fergal and Ronnie (I've got a Digger) from Arbroath.

Photographs to follow:

Howe of Fife 23 - 20 Strathmore

This fixture was lucky to go ahead after the Howe' had a number of late call offs and made up their team with a couple of teenagers who inflicted most of the damage on the 'blacks' who themselves were depleted but Fred Crowe and Deek 'Fat Boy Slim', Road Runner and Vice President Bob Baldie stepped in to fill the gaps.