SHOULD, heaven forbid, any of our World Sevens visitors from afar fall
foul of the local law -- nothing trivial, armed robbery, serious assault
or murder all considered -- they could do worse than blow the whistle
for Scotland's refereeing representative in the tournament.
For Ray Megson, an Edinburgh solicitor who specialises in criminal
cases, has a growing reputation for getting people off rather than
sending them off. He pursues both professional and pleasure activities
with much the same intensity.
Ray has just passed the examinations which now allow solicitors to
take cases all the way through the highest courts, and that is decidedly
his intent. Ditto his rugby career.
At 47 Megson prides himself on his fitness, which is probably the
quality which gained him entry to this tournament.
His fellow international referee, Jim Fleming of Boroughmuir, relates:
''Ray trains every day and is a very determined fellow. If he sets his
sights on something he really goes for it. Obviously I would like
Scotland to reach the final of the sevens. If they don't, Ray must be a
candidate to referee the last tie -- that would be a great honour for
him and for our country.''
In fact Ray Megson is qualified to represent at least three different
nations. He was born in Sheffield, spent 12 childhood years in
Australia, and has been a proud Scot ever since.
His father is a former Australian airman and young Ray was soon
playing for his New South Wales school at the age of five. ''With a
full-size ball,'' he is quick to point out, ''and 15 players on each
side. There was no mini or midi-rugby in those days.''
Just after his 12th birthday the marriage of his parents was over and
Ray was sent to Scotland, to Newton Stewart, to complete his secondary
education. ''To say it was a culture shock is something of an
understatement. I recall arriving during the Christmas period with
almost no suitable clothing. At the time I felt pretty hard done by.''
Megson is nothing, however, if not resilient. He was soon turning out,
at centre or fly-half, for Wigtownshire before moving to read law at
Edinburgh University.
''My first East club was Musselburgh before moving to Edinburgh
Wanderers in 1969. There was a young bloke called Alan Lawson joined the
club the same day as me.''
Wanderers were then fielding a number of men who would be able to
retire with caps in their collection -- John Douglas, Erle Mitchell,
Bobby Clark, and Jock Millican among them. Megson did not reach such
heights though he was a regular first-team player and represented
Edinburgh on a couple of occasions.
He was a more than useful sevens exponent and was part of the
Wanderers' side which won the prestigious Amsterdam international
tournament in 1976. Ironically, while attempting to defend the trophy
the following year, Ray received the shoulder injury which ended his
playing career.
''I knew the shoulder was dodgy and had had a pin put in already but I
was still shattered when I was told I had to stop. After such a long
time being involved in the game, I was just not ready to leave the
park.'' Out came the whistle.
In 1978 Megson was back in Amsterdam as one of the tournament
referees. At 15-a-side level he shot fairly quickly up the divisions and
was appointed to the International Panel in 1985.
A fairly tousy duel between England and Wales marked his debut in the
Five Nations championship and he has now had charge of seven major and
five other internationals. Two years ago, on a refereeing trip to
Australia, he had a reunion with the father he had not seen since the
day Ray departed for Scotland.
''He was in great form and it cheered me up that he smoked and drank
more than I did.
''One of the ABC commentators also remembered me. He told the viewers:
''I played against Megson in Edinburgh -- and we stuffed them!'' Sevens
has always been a particular love of Ray's -- ''the speed of the ties
and the big crowds that you get at many tournaments here and abroad
create a lot of excitement'' -- and a special thrill was handling the
final of the Hong Kong tournament a couple of years ago when Fiji
defeated New Zealand.
''The atmosphere at Murrayfield will be terrific. It is bound to be a
hard-fought competition.''
Whether in kit or in court, Ray Megson with his mop of hair and
clipped moustache cuts a rather swashbuckling figure. Players will tell
you he is not a great chatter on the field but, when he does speak, you
would be well advised to listen.
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