A golf colleague of the local legend told The Wee Paper: “Iain has been complaining of aching legs all week, but I think that may just be an excuse for playing bad golf.”

Paxton joined nine other rugby youth development officers last Friday for a marathon sponsored goal-kicking challenge which started at Berwick’s Scremerston ground before moving on to Duns, Kelso, Jed, Langholm, Hawick, Melrose, Gala and Selkirk and finishing at Peebles 200 miles and nine hours later.

Each YDO took three goal kicks, worth a total of 10 points, from in front of the posts (two points), 15m from the touchline (three points) and 5m from the touchline (5 points).

With a total points tally of 100 per player on offer, hopes were high of scoring the maximum 1,000. Wishful thinking.

The total of points scored was just below 50 per cent with the top scorer being Greg Walker of Jed.

Following a poor start at the seaside venue, it later became obvious to all that the 36-cap lock was saving himself for his home ground at Philiphaugh where he kicked three out of three, grabbing the maximum 10 points.

Some wayward efforts earlier in the day, however, resulted in a final score of 41 points.

Speaking to The Wee Paper at the Selkirk venue, Paxton said: “It’s been a great day. I wouldn’t say the kicking had been of a world-class standard, but considering I haven’t been practicing and that I had to get up at 5.30am to be at Berwick for 7.30, I haven’t done too badly.

“The first kick at Berwick this morning was OK, but it went downhill from there. I picked up a bit the nearer I got to Selkirk, although Melrose is one that I don’t really want to talk about, and I got the whole three here, so I’m well chuffed about that.

“It’s been good fun – and all in a good cause.”

Event organiser Ian Millar added: “There has been some nice friendly Border rivalry throughout the day and it has been really good fun. Iain certainly turned on the style when he came to Selkirk, but it has been rather hit and miss all day.

“Well done to all the development officers for giving up their time to take part in what was a great fun event. Thanks go to Iain Heard (SRU referee manager) who made sure there was no cheating and regional development manager Brian Renwick, who came in as a late replacement and finished in the top three.