Loading Number 59-The tournament conceived and founded by Alexander’ Sandy’ Milne Christie. In May 1961 Kenya Harlequins played hosts to two teams their big brothers Pretoria Harlequins from South Africa & London Harlequins from England. As the teams battled at the RFUEA Grounds-Nairobi-Kenya a discussion went on back & forth in the stands between the officers and out of it a tournament was born.
1st March 1964- A combined Kenya Police and Eldoret RFC
After two false starts, the 1964 event eventually kicked off well. Ten teams attended that event. Impala club, Royal Air Force, and Kenya Harlequins, provided two teams each, while Nakuru Athletics Club, the Scots guard and Strathmore College provided one team each.
In the first round Scots Guards beat RAF B, Kenya Harlequins beat Strathmore College, RAF A beat Kenya Harlequins Wanderers, Impala got a walkover, while Nakuru and the Police, Eldoret side got byes. In the second round Impala B defeated Scots Guards, RAF A defeated Kenya Harlequins, Police/Eldoret, defeated Nakuru while Impala A got a bye. At the semi-finals Police/Eldoret beat Impala A and RAF defeated Impala B.
A combined Kenya Police and Eldoret RFC completed the list and provided the first winners of the tournament, beating Royal Air force ‘A’ by 8 points to three in the final.
Ian Ross, Hon Secretary of Kenya Police writing in the Clubs 1964 program, ‘Eldoret arrived short so we decided to combine with them as it was felt that we could not let such enthusiasm on their part go unrewarded. Two of their side were-ex-policemen anyway so it was virtually a full Police team.’
The winning side consisted of: Allan Mackay-(Kenya Police), Rob F.Rowland (Kenya Police), A.Barnard (Eldoret), W.C.Collins (Eldoret), Collin E.Pell (Kenya Police), Alex. Sandy Munro (Eldoret), Douglas Allen Walker (Kenya Police) and J.Ball (Eldoret)
The tournament was named ‘Christie’ in honour of the outgoing Kenya Harlequins President
Article By Sir Paul Okong’ o’
East Africa Rugby Historian
