Regular readers of the HKRU website might recall an article earlier in the year about former Hong Kong international Bob Richardson-Aitken receiving his Colony Cap, and the discovery of Bob’s central role in the formation of the Flying Kukris Rugby Club back in 1978 https://www.hkrugby.com/news/a-christmas-capping  Well, there’s more!  When fellow ex-international Steve Quirke heard the story, he stuck a remarkable historical artefact in the post to the Union – the original programme from the first ever Flying Kukris match, held on 26 August 1978 at Sek Kong against a HKRFU Chairman’s XV.

Bob is of course listed as the Kukris’ first Chairman, while Quirkey was a starter for the Chairman’s XV; amongst the players in both teams are many distinguished names who went on to illustrious rugby careers around the pitches in Asia – Guy Pearson and Bruce Vogel among them.  The programme itself gives a fascinating insight into local rugby at the time, with Bob’s welcome message noting that the French national team were due in town for a game against Hong Kong the following month, and thanking the Joint Service Parachute Centre members who were due to descend from the skies above to deliver the match ball!

The HKRU would like to thank Steve for sharing this fascinating piece of memorabilia with us – the retrospective Colony Caps were in fact his idea as well, so two good reasons to express our appreciation!