He began his rugby career playing for Kelso RFC, Scotland, at the age of 16 and at 18 collected his first, of five, coveted Melrose Sevens Winner's Medals.
While Captain of Kelso Rugby Club (1984/85 and 1987/88) he led the team to become Border League Winners in 1984/85 and to then win the Division 1 Championships in 1987/88.