On a dreadful day for 3rds rugby (dry, calm, mild), both teams phoned friends to make up the numbers, with Porty drawing from their 2nds, who had had a stroll in the park against an ex-pro stuffed Accies team, and at least one kidnapped passer-by (who handily looked like he had been hewn from nearby Arthur's seat, and was almost as big) whilst the mighty 3rds drew on some 2nds who had seen Selkirk scratch their fixture, and some youngsters who appeared to have escaped from school.

The team had a composition which Bernard Mathews would have loved: some young chicks, a mass of game and tough old birds, and the return from his leg break of our very own turkey: the Prince. Bootiful.

Those in the know bit hard on their gumshields and tucked in their chins on spotting the looming figure of David "Smoking Joe" Boardman , Haddington's best ever boxer, in the Porty 2nd row.

The match was ably and amiably reffed by Old Father Time's dad, Iain Goodall, setting some sort of record since he had refereed yours truly's league debut, some 32 years previously. Some of the youngsters thought he was from the toyshop "look, a talking ref*" where as others when oxygen permitted took the chance to engage in witty banter.

The 3rds made a shocker of start losing a converted try straight from the kick off**, and a subsequent tackling allergy doubled that shortly thereafter. Worse was to follow, as scrums went uncontested when the kidnapped passer-by went off for a breather, much to the frustration of the 3rds well fed trio of Glass, Wallace and Smith.

It was a fierce if error strewn contest, and whilst Mark McLaughlin was making good ground up the middle, the back row truancy rate was at an all time high and he went unsupported. Eventually after a long and point free period Chalmers rocketed over in the corner to make the half-time score 14-5 to Porty,

A stiff talking to at half -time fell on deaf ears, as despite the elements more slack tackling and good running by the excellent Porty number 8, and good support saw the 3rds go 21-5 down.

At last however the 3rds started to play some sweet music, with Sax orchestrating some big double bases up front and some french horns in the backs, rather than the preponderance of pink oboes until that point.

Excellent catch and drive and pick and drive got a glut of possession and some improved passing put Chalmers into space enough times for him to gain a second , avoid a jug*** and for young Tom Hutcheon to bag a brace. With only one conversion, the 3rds clung onto their one point lead with some all out defence, as Goodall seemed reluctant to drew proceedings to a close as darkness loomed.

So the 3rds join Ayr, CQP and a few others as the only unbeaten team as winter beckons!

Best in class: "our very own red arrow" Chalmers; some class and grunt from Gary Glass; but MoM goes to Puds who put in a great shift.

Roll on the rest of the season.

* A common occurrence in the good old days
** It was all Gav Harpers fault, allowing the opposition to score before we had touched the ball, a heinous crime which will seriously help the kitty
*** Strictly speaking young Tom could also have been cited for jug avoidance, but the citing commission has decreed that he was an innocent party and therefore Chalmers has been found guilty of the twin charges of jug avoidance and causing jug avoidance in an other. Again this will seriously help the kitty.