Window and door industry sales representatives are well-known for their toughness, resilience and staying power. Hallmark Panels salesman and part-time rugby referee Malcolm McEwan – ‘Mackie’ to his colleagues – proved the point when he was knocked flat by Ricky Kiori, Langholm’s Kiwi flanker during a national league match... and still got up a few minutes later to finish the game.

Mackie, who looks after Scotland for Hallmark and used to play the utility back position for Hawick Harlequins RFC, has been refereeing for 13 years, overseeing many BT National Scottish League matches. The indomitable McEwan managed to find enough breath to blow for a stoppage before he hit the ground, getting up again a few minutes later to finish the game, and was back at work on Monday as usual. He says:

‘In my job you get used to knock-backs, but you don’t let them affect your performance. Rugby is much the same, although I think I got a much better cheer from the Langholm supporters when I went down than when I got back up again.’

Source

Glass Age