Charlie Beaton...a talented sportsman

Charlie Beaton, who was born in 1888, scored the first ever try on Rugby Park for Pirates against Blues in 1908.  John Beaton his grandson has sent in photos and newspaper clippings.
Charlie Beaton was born in Bluff, and played rugby for the Bluff Rugby Club second division.  Along with other young players from the club he decided to head to the big smoke of Invercargill and play for Pirates Seniors.
Rugby Park, back in the day had two rugby fields, running North South.  The first ever rugby game played there was Pirates V Invercargill (Blues) and Charlie ran in the one and only try to beat Invercargill that day 5-0.
A talented sportsman, Charlie not only played rugby but was a gun wrestler and also went on to play soccer.