An important sporting anniversary has gone entirely unmarked in the media today. On 9 July 1862, 150 years ago today, the first ever sporting contest between England and Scotland on equal terms took place. It was the Elcho Shield match between shooting eights at the National Rifle Association's annual meeting at Wimbledon.
The editor of the Volunteer Service Gazette appointed two captains: Lord Bury for England and Captain Horatio Ross for Scotland. This inspired Lord Elcho, a Scottish peer, to donate the Elcho Challenge Shield (pictured). The first match was won by England by 166 points (890 to 724), and Scotland won for the first time in 1864, the same year that a second international contest was first held, twenty a side, known as the Volunteer Match.
NB There is a link between the Elcho Shield and the early football internationals, as Wingfield Malcolm MP, who played football for Scotland in 1870, was an enthusiastic volunteer and shot for Scotland in 1869, and was non-playing captain in 1876.
To read more, see these links: National Rifle Club of Scotland and English Eight Club.
The editor of the Volunteer Service Gazette appointed two captains: Lord Bury for England and Captain Horatio Ross for Scotland. This inspired Lord Elcho, a Scottish peer, to donate the Elcho Challenge Shield (pictured). The first match was won by England by 166 points (890 to 724), and Scotland won for the first time in 1864, the same year that a second international contest was first held, twenty a side, known as the Volunteer Match.
NB There is a link between the Elcho Shield and the early football internationals, as Wingfield Malcolm MP, who played football for Scotland in 1870, was an enthusiastic volunteer and shot for Scotland in 1869, and was non-playing captain in 1876.
To read more, see these links: National Rifle Club of Scotland and English Eight Club.
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