William Cross

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Cross played for Glasgow Academicals, and Merchistonians.

Provincial career

He played in the world's first provincial district match in 1872; the 'inter-city' - a match between Glasgow District and Edinburgh District. Cross played for Glasgow as a half-back.

International career

Cross was one of the first international half-backs, along with J.W. Arthur and their English counterparts.

The scoring system of the time gave no points for a try itself, but entitled the side to try to convert it into a goal (one point). So Cross, not Buchanan, was the first to put points on the board. In fact, this was the only score in the match.

Cross rounded off the game with a second try, ninety seconds before the final whistle, when with their forwards running riot, J.W. Arthur knocked on from a line-out and the ball looped over the English defenders, with the quick thinking Cross picking it up for Scotland's second try.

Referee career

After his international playing career was over, Cross became Scotland's second international rugby referee when he officiated an early encounter between Scotland and England. This was his only international game as a referee.

He refereed the 1882 inter-city match between Glasgow District and Edinburgh District.

Administrative career

Cross took up a role within the Scottish Rugby Union and he continued promoting Scottish rugby, becoming President of the Scottish Rugby Union for the 1882–83 season.

Family

His brother Malcolm Cross gained nine caps for Scotland.