The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Scottish rugby’s ‘lucky charm’ keeps remarkable run going
RUGBY: Battling draw means superfan, 73, has still not seen Scots lose to Auld Enemy in London
A former Tayside man who has never seen Scotland lose a rugby game to England at Twickenham remains the team’s lucky charm, after they drew 38-38 in the Six Nations at the weekend.
In more than 60 years Scotland has only ever won twice and drawn once at Twickenham.
As luck would have it, retired banker Peter Murray, 73, was present at every one of these games.
The run continued last weekend when Peter and his brother Phil Murray, 71, travelled south to see Gregor Townsend’s men stage a remarkable comeback.
With Peter, formerly of Dundee and now living in Edinburgh, in the stands, the Scottish team came back from 31-0 down at half-time to retain the Calcutta Cup.
This was the first time that lifelong rugby fan Peter had seen Scotland play at England’s home ground since 1989.
The trip almost did not take place, as Peter struggled to get a ticket for Saturday’s match. In desperation he penned a letter to Guinness – the main sponsors of the Six Nations – in January to request a ticket. To his surprise, the brewery giant replied and sent him two tickets.
In his letter to Guinness, Peter stated: “I have what I believe is a remarkable spectating record in that I have never seen Scotland lose at Twickenham, having been there on three occasions in 1971 and 1983 when Scotland won and, in 1989 when a John Jeffrey try secured a 5-5 draw.
“These three occasions are the only times that Scotland have not lost at Twickenham since before the war.
“At 73 I am slowing down a bit and I quite like having my unbeaten record but, if I could get to this year’s game I would be looking at it as my last hurrah.
“So it would be nice to round off my 63-year connection with the Calcutta Cup with a fourth and final (and hopefully victorious) visit to Twickenham.”
His first Calcutta Cup game was at Murrayfield in 1956, then Peter travelled to London to see Scotland play in 1971 and 1983, when the team won, and in 1989, when the side drew 5-5.
It looked like his luck had finally run out last weekend, though, as a woeful Scotland looked dead and buried at halftime. Thanks to an England collapse in the second half, however, Scotland came back to draw against the old foe.
In a response to Peter sent with his tickets, Guinness stated: “A slice of luck is essential to any successful sports team and we’re intrigued to put your claim to be Scotland’s lucky charm to the test.”
“I have what I believe is a remarkable spectating record in that I have never seen Scotland lose at Twickenham.
PETER MURRAY, IN HIS LETTER TO SIX NATIONS SPONSOR GUINNESS