An argument between two dog walkers resulted in one chasing the other on her mobility scooter, Jedburgh Sheriff Court has been told.

Christina Rowley, suffering from sciatica at the time, pursued Kerry Gwzodz on her electric vehicle to remonstrate with her as their dispute escalated.

The 48-year-old even circled around Ms Gwzodz and drove the scooter at her, forcing her to dodge out of the way.

Eventually Ms Gwzodz fled down a flight of stairs, leaving Rowley unable to pursue her further, and the police were called.

Rowley was initially charged with assaulting the woman with her mobility scooter by trapping her foot under it and spitting on her.

However, she pleaded guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to an amended charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, shouting and swearing and driving the mobility scooter at Ms Gwzodz.

That offence was committed in Glebe Mill Street in Hawick on July 11 last year.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, explained that a row broke out while both women were walking their dogs on a public footpath along the banks of the River Teviot at 9.45am.

Rowley’s dog was not on a lead and it ran towards Ms Gwzodz and her two dogs, leading to words being exchanged.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client insisted that Ms Gwzodz’s reaction to the dog bounding towards her was excessive, but he admitted that Rowley had lost her temper during the ensuing exchange of words.

Rowley, of Earl Street in Hawick, was fined £100 and ordered to pay Ms Gwzodz £150 in compensation.

Police are appealing for information after a daylight break-in at a home in Newcaslteon last yesterday.

Entry was forced into the rear of a house in North Hermitage Street at around 1.15pm on Thursday, March 7, but it appears nothing was stolen.

Segreant Paul Begley said: “This incident occurred during broad daylight, and while Newcastleton is a small town, there is potential that someone will have observed what happened or seen those responsible in the area prior to the break-in.

“If you remember seeing any suspicious activity in North Hermitage Street on Thursday afternoon, or if you have any other information relevant to our ongoing investigation, then please contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland, quoting incident number 1754 of March 7, by calling 101.

Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Around 3000 hardy trail runners will be heading soon to Traquair House, Innerleithen, for a formidable test of their stamina.

The occasion is the Mighty Deerstalker – the biggest and the toughest ‘do it in Tweed’ themed night run to be staged in the UK.

It returns in force on Saturday, March 16 with the Double Stalker – a new, character-building, two-lap option (double distance, double obstacles and double 1824ft ascent).

Having been forced to cancel the 2018 edition because of severe snow conditions, Rat Race Adventure Sports is delighted that The Mighty Deerstalker, with its energy-sapping natural and man-made obstacles and lung-bursting ascents, is back on its event calendar in 2019.

Jim Mee, MD of Rat Race Adventure Sports, said: “We’re thrilled to be back for 2019 after our hiatus, caused by the unseasonally extreme weather of March 2018.

“With our biggest field ever, it is clear the event is much-loved and cherished. When we set out to create the legend of the ‘Stalker back in 2006, we never thought it would become quite as legendary as it has. Long live the notorious Mighty Deerstalker!”

The Rat Race team set the fully waymarked route of this the most outlandish trail running event in the British calendar, whose true distance is a closely guarded secret.

They send tweed clad, head torch-wearing runners off in eight separate timed waves to wade across freezing cold rivers, navigate through dense woodland, vault over straw bales, contend with gloopy super-suction mud covered banks, balance along log beams, scramble up a vertical scree slope and jog up and over a mountain or two – all in the pitch dark of a chilly March night.

This year, Scotland’s original endurance adventure challenge, established in 2006, offers the Half Stalker (half distance), the Full Stalker (full distance) and the new Double Stalker – together with the equally infamous Mighty Beerstalker after party, and the camping and glamping.

With this utterly exhilarating and audacious challenge in the rugged and evocative landscape of the Tweed Valley taking an average of 167 minutes to complete, runners need to be physically and mentally tough.

Yet none more so than those Bravehearts who have signed up to take on the new Double Deerstalker, a gruelling two laps of the Full Stalker course. They will set off with their own special start wave at 3.30pm, running lap one in the relative comfort of at least some daylight.

At the end of their warm-up lap, they will not re-enter the event village but, instead, access a dedicated snack and tea stop before heading out into the dark night of the Scottish wilderness for lap two and the most intense test of mental and physical character.

With 2018 entries automatically deferred to the 2019 event, organisers are looking forward to welcoming at least 3000 elite athletes, weekend warriors and first time have-a-go heroes, 50 per cent of whom will travel to the Scottish Borders from outwith Scotland, to the start line, many of whom missed out on the fun and camaraderie of last year’s event.

Since 2015, Rat Race Adventure Sports have been partnered with Children with Cancer UK, the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer - www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.

Rat Race has already raised £1 million for the charity and are looking to double that in the next three years.

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses to a housebreaking in broad daylight in Newcastleton yesterday afternoon.

The incident happened at around 1.15pm yesterday (Thursday, March 7) at an address in North Hermitage Street.

Entry was forced to the rear of the property, however, it appears nothing was stolen.

Inquiries are continuing and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Segreant Paul Begley said: “This incident occurred during broad daylight, and while Newcastleton is a small town, there is potential that someone will have observed what happened or seen those responsible in the area prior to the break-in.

“If you remember seeing any suspicious activity in North Hermitage Street on Thursday afternoon, or if you have any other information relevant to our ongoing investigation, then please contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland via 101 and quote incident number 1754 of March 7.

Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

It’s been a fantastic indoor season for athlete Ellie O’Hara, from Cardrona.

She finished the term in fine style recently in the English Age Group Championships, at the English Institute of Sport Arena in Sheffield.

Ellie had already won championship titles in both long jump and triple jump at the Scottish Athletics U17 Championships, the U20 Championships and Scottish Schools Championships, so she travelled to the English event in good form.

On the first day of competition in the long jump, Ellie had to accept bronze in a highly competitive contest with a third-round jump of 5.58 metres.

However, on the second day, competing in the triple jump, she took the lead with her first jump – and none of the competition was able to respond. Ellie took gold with a jump of 11.75 metres to maintain her perfect record in triple jump in national championships during the indoor season.

At the conclusion of the season, Ellie, who is part of Live Borders Supported Athlete Programme, had amassed seven gold medals, plus a silver and a bronze, from four national championships, added to which she broke the Scottish Age Group Indoor Record in both long jump and triple jump and broke the Scottish Schools Championships Record for both triple and long jump.

Overall, it was a highly successful season and reward for a hard winter training schedule. The Peebles High School pupil will be getting down now to spring training for the outdoor season .

Young bike riding enthusiasts in Primary 7 are being recruited by Live Borders to help keep them cycling while transitioning into high school.

Lead coach Chris Bryant is heading the annual programme for Live Borders’ Advanced Riding Development Squad, known as ARDS.

And the venture is being endorsed by a rising young champion from Denholm.

Young riders meet weekly in Tweedbank for training and group rides, aimed at developing skills on and off the bike which are fundamental to develop as a cyclist or racer.

Riders start when they are in P7 and the group helps them move through the transition into high school.

This is also often a time the intensity of racing intensifies, and it is important for young people to have a group of peers that share an interest.

The Live Borders team is looking for expressions of interest from new riders for the 2019-20 group.

As well as helping several current national champions, ARDS is about enjoying time on a bike and learning for any enthusiastic bike rider.

“The programme isn’t set on creating athletes but on giving good advice and support to riders who want to develop,” said Chris, who is also Scottish Cycling’s regional MTB coach.

“It might be that some riders just love riding bikes and others need some structure or knowledge about off-bike training.

“By mixing riders from a variety of areas of the Borders, we have had great success, with young athletes returning as volunteers to support our programme, others taking on challenging races at a national level, and others still taking their skill and love for cycling to keep healthy or volunteer at local charities.”

Denholm’s William Brodie, National Downhill and Enduro Champion (for his age category), said: “For me, ARDS was a great way to learn ways of training, as well as exploring new trails.”

William now rides for ‘Team Leslie Bike Shop/Bikers Boutique Downhill Team’.

His mum Georgina added: “They loved the woodland trails and got loads from training side. I remember William coming home and practising his leg speed drills up and down our stairs at home.

“ARDS also inspired him to get involved and give something back to a local club too.”

Chris Bryan added: “Graduating riders from our 2018 group have gone on to become confident participants in their sport, or continue to enjoy the health benefits of regular sport.”

With Scotland hosting the 2023 Cycling World Championships for all cycling disciplines, he said, young Borderers may be setting their sights on emulating Borders athlete Ruaridh Cunningham.

As a junior in 2017, he won a Rainbow Jersey at a home World Championships in Fort William.

“With former ARDS riders now current national champions in Downhill and Enduro, it will be interesting to see who, if any, pursues the opportunity to participate in our next home World Championships,” said Chris.

New riders will start on Friday, May 3. Sessions are from 3pm-4.30pm or 4.30pm to 6pm at Tweedbank.

For more information, contact cbryant@liveborders.org.uk.

A Hawick charity supplying low-cost household furniture to disadvantaged people is hoping to expand by moving into a new home.

Home Basics, currently based in Teviot Crescent, has submitted a planning application to move around the corner into the old Kwik-Fit garage in the town’s Croft Road.

The charity, established 20 years ago at Walkerburn, has been operating in Hawick since 2008, providing cut-price used furniture and household items to those in need.

Home Basics business manager Dennis Fisher said the proposed move would enable the charity to expand and take on extra staff, offering potential for up to eight additional posts to be created.

He added: “We first started in Weensland Road and moved to Teviot Crescent in 2012.

“Our current premises have been highly effective in supporting disadvantaged people and also in recycling and reuse of household items

“We also work with Scottish Borders Council on servicing a re-use cabin based at the Hawick community recycle centre.

“The application will enable us to increase our work in Hawick, providing a larger range of affordable furniture, more employment and volunteering opportunities and some employability training to local people.”

The charity also runs a depot in Walkerburn.

For details of how to donate furniture, call 01450 363974.

The textile industry and further education in the Borders must continue to be an attractive option for students post Brexit.

That’s according to the foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt, who paid a visit to Heriot Watt University’s Galashiels campus yesterday.

He said he will fight to keep Scottish universities as a popular study place for foreign students after the UK leaves the European Union.

Around one third of Heriot Watt University’s 9,000 students come from countries outside the UK.

Mr Hunt said: “We have to demonstrate to all our universities that the Brexit we end up with is a Brexit that is going to be positive for higher education in the UK and the reason for that is it is one of our most important and most successful industries.

“One of the reasons I am here is because when I go around the world and I talk about the great prospects Britain has. I talk about our universities.

“Last week we had rankings that showed that we have four of the world’s top ten universities and a number of Scottish universities are very high up that list of global rankings.

“I have seen fantastic creativity here at Heriot Watt campus.

“I understand there’s uncertainty, but what has powered our universities has been the fact they are so attractive for students all over the world. That is what we want to continue.”

Mr Hunt met with textile and design students, at the Edinburgh-based univesity’s in High Mill building at Netherdale, and praised the region’s creativity in keeping the textile industry alive.

He said: “There are changes happening in all industries.

“We’re on the cusp of the fourth industrial revelation and in textiles, as with other industries, we are in the process of a huge digitisation which means that lots of things are done online, through 3D printing.

“All of these things have a big impact, but the one thing that computers and technology can’t substitute for is creativity.

“And what we have in this country is extraordinary creativity.

“We have always had it. It has always been one of our great gifts and indeed it is one of Scotland’s great gifts.”

Borders MP John Lamont, who accompanied Mr Hunt on his visit, added: “I am pleased that the foreign secretary was able to pay a visit to Galashiels to see for himself the great facilities Heriot Watt University has in the Borders.

“Textiles and design have an important heritage in the Borders but they also represent a great export opportunity for the United Kingdom as we leave the EU and develop links with other markets.

“The foreign secretary was extremely impressed with what he saw and had a useful discussion with staff and students about the future of the sector.”

The pair later visited Borders Conservative activists in Gattonside to discuss the importance of bringing the country together after Brexit and the division that referendums can cause.

South of Scotland MSP Michelle Ballantyne, who met them there, said: “It’s great that the foreign secretary has taken the time to visit the Borders.

“These regular visits from members of the cabinet and senior ministers show how important Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom really is.

“His insightful reflections on Brexit revealed how important it is that we come together to heal the divisions caused by referendums in Scotland.”

Selkirk’s Market Place has had a few finishing touches to its streetscape scheme applied this week.

Following several calls at meetings of the town’s community council for better signage for visitors, Selkirk’s business improvement district (BID) scheme team has come up trumps.

Selkirkshire councillor Caroline Penman told us: “The new board, which has a map on one side and more about the town’s history on the other was organised through the BID scheme.

“We commissioned Alix Lunn to design it, and she has done a fantastic job.

“There are even tear-off maps at the side, which visitors to the town can take away on their tour around Selkirk’s tourist hotspots.

“Other signs will be put up in the top car park and the Auld Kirkyard as well, but this puts the finishing touches to the Market Place.”

Selkirk Merchant Company has also seen its town hall lamp restoration project completed in the last week.

David Heard, master of the merchant company, explained that the original lamp was donated by the company around 1890.

He added: “We were approached some time ago and asked if we would consider doing some restoration work on the lamp to coincide with the Market Place being revamped and the clock tower being refurbished.

“The committee decided that this was something we would be keen to look at, so committee member Stuart Davidson, an architect, was tasked with looking in to what was required and the cost.

“The work required was found to be quite major, with the base section needing full replacement and new glass required all round as well as the brackets needing strengthened. It also needed rewired and a full repaint.”

David said that did not deter the company, and with help from the Selkirk common good fund, the money was found to have the lamp fully restored.

Now looking fantastic, it’s back on the wall above the front door, and David thanked Selkirk electrician Bruce Hastie, Oliver Engineering of Newtown, Wilson Signs in Hawick, Caddon Design at Clovenfords and Bryan Hoggan for the parts they played in restoring it to its former glory.

An insurance company wants to switch premises in Kelso because its staff don’t like being left in the dark on winter evenings.

Border Insurance Brokers has been operating in Kelso town centre for the past 35 years, and its five staff have been based in Oven Wynd for the last year.

However, customers are said to find the location, near Ednam House Hotel, remote from the centre of town and difficult to access.

Additionally, its staff regard the street as “threatening on dark winter evenings”, and those concerns have been raised with the police.

As a result, the company has now submitted a planning application to relocate to 23 to 25 Bridge Street in Kelso, units that occupied by ladieswear shop Liba until a year ago.

That bid is not in line with Scottish Borders Council’s policy of retaining retail premises in town centres, but in a report to planners, a spokesperson for Eyemouth’s Bain Swan Architects, on behalf of the applicant, argues that there are already several empty retail units in the town and that occupancy of a vacant shop would generate footfall.

Its report says: “Their customers find the current location difficult to find, the business has little projection to the public realm and their staff find the location uncomfortable and sometimes threatening on dark winter evenings.

“These safety concerns are known to the police.”

The spokesperson adds: “There are ongoing economic advantages in having the firm contributing to the Kelso business community as an insurance intermediary creating, with others, a mini-financial services hub in a diverse town centre.

“While recognising that the proposal, in so far that it represents a change of use from a retail shop to financial retail insurance, probably falls foul of the council’s town centre policy, the applicant would strongly argue that it would be reasonable to make an exception in this case.”

The firm would employ six people at the new premises, one more than its current complement.

A 53-year-old has been accused of threatening to kill another man during an incident in Hawick.

Steven Melville, formerly of Oliver Crescent in Hawick but now living in Peebles, denies that offence.

It is also alleged that he pushed William Harley against a garage door in Hawick’s McLaren Court on February 2 last year.

A trial date has been set for May 16 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, with an intermediate hearing on April 29.

Actors John Shedden and Finlay McLean are heading to Bowhill this month to tickle your funny bone, with the help of a skeleton.

The pair are set to perform a series of weird and wonderful sketches at the Bowhill Theatre on Thursday, March 21, at 8pm.

You’ll meet a variety of hilarious characters from the land of the living (and the dead).

Judge the judge, be starstruck by the astronomer, eavesdrop on the prime minister and the president, witness two extraordinary interviews as Hamlet and Shylock return to rewrite their stories.

You can even – if it’s your kind of thing – throw your undies at Wolf (the heartthrob) Humperhoven.

Out of this kaleidoscope of theatre, social satire, politics and parody emerges a startling view of the crazy world we live in.

The pair feature in Get a Life!, written by playwright and novelist David Henry Wilson – and they both have remarkable cvs.

McLean has worked extensively in theatre, radio, TV and film.

His theatre career has included seasons at The Marlowe (Canterbury); The Byre (St Andrews) and more recently with Glasgow’s Bard in the Botanics.

McLean has taken part in several productions for the Arches, TAG, Òran Mór, Prime Productions and Theatre Objectiv, while radio credits include: Hatters Castle, Benny Lynch, A Meeting in Seville, McLevy and The Haverstock Hill Murder.

And you may have seen him on telly in such shows as Rebus, Taggart, Rab C Nesbitt, Waterloo Road, Lovesick and Burnistoun, as well as films Regeneration, Senseless, A Risk Worth Taking and Hector.

Shetland-born Shedden’s distinguished career in broadcasting and theatre embraces everything from Shakespeare, Chekhov, Pinter and Beckett to solo fringe plays Every Inch a King (on David Garrick), Port and Lemon (on Sherlock Holmes and Mrs Hudson) and The Bloody Heart (on King James the Second); seasons at the Royal Lyceum, Perth Theatre, the Traverse and the Citizens.

Landmark productions include the premiere of Willie Rough, Galileo and The Thrie Estates.

He created the role of Stan Laurel in Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy which transferred from the Traverse to the Mayfair, London.

His roles range from Robert Louis Stevenson (The Laird of Samoa), JM Barrie, McGonagall, John Knox to Lady Bracknell.

Radio classics include The Master of Ballantrae, Dracula, The 39 Steps, Kidnapped, The Misanthrope, The Falls, Uncle Varrick and McLevy, as well as countless serialised readings such as Travels with a Donkey, Redgauntlet and The Member.

Shedden’s telly appearances include Weir of Hermiston, Taggart, Rab C Nesbitt and Still Game.

He can also be heard on the BBC Burns website dedicated to the Bard of Ayrshire’s work.

Playwright Wilson is also a novelist, children’s author and translator.

His children’s books, especially the Jeremy James series, have been translated into many languages.

Tickets for the show, priced £12 (£10 for under-16s), are available by calling 01750 22204 or booking online at www.bowhillhouse.co.uk

A police officer has been accused of causing a disturbance in a Kelso hotel.

Pierce Solley is alleged to have produced a police warrant card despite being off duty to intimidate bar staff and challenged others to fight at the town’s Cross Keys Hotel on October 27 last year.

It is claimed he refused to leave the venue, in the Square, when asked to do so by event organisers and fellow police officers and behaved in an aggressive and intimidating manner towards customers and staff.

The 23-year-old, of Hawick, pleaded not guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to a charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

A trial date has been fixed for March 19.

Another thrilling netball season reached its climax recently in Peebles with the final matches of Peebles Netball League.

With Gala Netball’s coach, Marion Romeril, entering two teams for the first time, Gala Tempest were playing Jets to decide third and fourth place in Division 1, with Gala Lightning facing Pumas for the Division 2 third and fourth positions.

Starting off the fixtures at Peebles High School, Tempest faced Jets in the first match of the day.

On paper, Jets went into the match as favourites, having beaten the Gala team earlier in the season and recorded a victory recently against the Hotshots.

However, in a fast and furious first quarter, Tempest had the advantage, scoring eight goals to Jets’ six.

The Gala team also made an impression first on the scoreboard during the second quarter, pulling away from the Jets with some superb play, increasing their lead to five goals, 16-11.

The third quarter saw the Jets rally, at one point closing the gap to four goals, but Tempest found their rhythm again towards the end of the quarter to extend their lead by nine goals to 27-18.

It was still all to play for in the final quarter, with Jets opening the scoring and, initially eating up Tempest’s advantage. However, the game soon turned in Tempest’s favour again and, following some fluid play from the Gala team, they increased their lead to take the victory by 38 goals to 24.

GS/GA Sophie Birtwistle was nominated fair play by the Jets.

Next to take to the court was Gala Netball’s developing team, Lightning. It consists of largely young developing players from Galashiels Academy, who play alongside experienced adult player/mentors.

Having suffered a loss against Pumas earlier in the season, Lightning were the underdogs.

The first quarter started with both teams closely matched but it was the Pumas who clawed the advantage to take the lead 11-4.

However, Lightning regrouped and, following some fantastic play and great shooting, they won the second quarter, scoring eight goals to the Puma’s seven, finishing the quarter 12-18 down.

The third quarter saw their fortunes reverse as they struggled to gain possession in their scoring third, while the Pumas repeatedly hit the target, scoring an impressive 14 goals to Lightning’s two to lead 32-14.

Lightning didn’t give up and struck back to take the final quarter, scoring six goals to the Puma’s four. It was enough to ensure Lightning finished with more than half the goals of the Pumas to gain an extra point (36-20 to Pumas), finishing in fourth place in Division 2.

The Pumas nominated Lightning’s GA Emma Brus as Fair Play.

Storm took the victory over Earlston 42-22 to become Division 2 champions, while Borders won the Division 1 title, beating the Hotshots by 31 goals to 17.

Selkirk hit the small screen last week as Channel 5 show Secret Scotland paid a visit to attractions and business across the Borders.

The town featured alongside Heriot, Abbotsford, Bemersyde and Melrose in the fourth episode of the new travel series, aired last Friday evening.

Glasgow-born comedian and programme host Susan Calman turned tourist on her first visit to the region for the five-part series.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star opened the show saying: “Like a lot of people, I have travelled through the Borders by train or by car, but I am really excited to stop and finally have a good look around.”

In Selkirk, she enjoys a tour of DC Dalgleish’s tartan mill with head weaver Crena Bell.

“People laugh at me because I love tartan,” Susan said. “I think it’s just beautiful.”

Explaining why the Dunsdale Road tartan mill is so special, Crena told Susan: “Because everything is hand-woven, everything is done by hand.

“It’s nice because every fabric is unique. There’s nothing too exact about it.”

The firm, which boasts customers including the Duchess of Cornwall, is the only hand-crafted tartan mill left in the world.

Susan added: “The Borders has been the heart of Scotland’s tartan industry since the first mill was built here in 1800, and this is the only remaining mill using the hand-crafted traditional methods.

“It may be a thriving business today, but it’s also a bit like seeing living history.”

She watched the process of hand-warping and remarked: “This is incredibly skilled manual labour work, but 200 years ago the technology seemed impossibly advanced.”

She also learned about the chain-powered loom before watching the three ladies in action making the finished product.

“And that’s how this mill makes the last hand-woven tartan in the world,” she added. “And long may it continue.”

Before she left, Susan met managing director Nick Fiddes to learn about her own clan tartan, the McMillan.

“It’s good to know that the Calmans are a branch of a clan that is not shy of having a large wardrobe,” she joked before trying to strike a deal for two tartan sofas and a pair of curtains in exchange for a fiver.

The show also shines a spotlight on the River Tweed at Bemersyde, Melrose’s abbey and rugby club, Abbotsford House and Neth Hill Farm, near Heriot.

Finals night at Galashiels Squash and Racketball Club (SRC) produced thrilling handicap action in Plate and Quaich sections.

Club captain Del Sharratt summed it up as “a fantastic night of squash.”

He added: “These finals were both quite even contests and it’s great to see some of the lower seeds winning tournaments at the club.”

Next up would be the Annual Club Championship, in which there were generally many participants, and more trophies would be

awarded, he added.”

The long-awaited Handicap Plate Final saw Iain Gorman (+4) take on Pat Spence (-3).

Gorman took aseven-point swing into the match with him and was a strong, powerful player, while Spence played more precise and controlled shots.

Gorman had won the Quaiche previously and Spence, although a perennial semi-finalist at the club, was making his debut in a club final.

Points were being shared in the first game and it wasn’t until Spence had the hand at 3-9 that he managed to rattle off three points on the trot. This was mainly down to Gorman hitting the ball hard but not having the speed to react.

Gorman was 11-7 up before he managed to take control and got to 14-8 and game point when a waywrd serve let Spence back in. He made a

brief attempt to salvage the game but Gorman took it 15-11.

The second game saw Gorman take control fairly quickly. Spence was making some unforced forehand errors, where his usual reliable drop shots were just hitting the tin. Gorman went 7-0 and 11-2 up before taking it 15-7.

In the third game, Gorman was wilting as tiredness set in. Spence would control the T-line and send Gorman running from corner to corner, Spence got the deficit back at 5-5 and seemed to have resolved his low drop shots by simply aiming higher up the wall.

He didn’t make many mistakes in this game and Gorman didn’t have a rhythm, so Spence pulled one back 15-10.

At 2-1 up, Gorman had shown signs of fatigue but came out a different player in the fourth game. He found the speed in his shots again, which took Spence by surprise. Gorman finished off a polished performance to take this one 15-1 for 3-1 – and the title.

The Handicap Quaiche Final featured Iain Laing (+1) against Amir Hosny (-1).

Former club champion Laing was playing in his first club final since 2002 – indeed, he had just come back from injury in 2018 after a 10-year lay-off to prove that, no matter how long you are out of the game, it really is like riding a bike.

Prodigy Hosny, in contrast, had youth on his side and was a big player within the club, improving from month to month.

This game was spectacular to watch, as Hosny has smooth, perfect movement around the court and Laing has the smoothest shot in the club. This made for some great, tight squash – not many loose balls and a good tactical game ensued.

Despite Laing leading 14-10 and having four game balls, Hosny remained focused and brought it back to 14-14. After some tit-for tat scoring until 17-17, Laing put in some cross-court shots and won 19-17.

The second game saw Laing motor away and Hosny almost seemed to relax and ease off. But, from 3-3, Laing hardly put a foot wrong and won 15-6.

At 2-0 down, Hosny again used his party trick – a regular at coming from 2-0 down. Hosny did indeed win the next two games 15-6, 15-12 to tie at 2-2.

Neither man gave up. Both knew trophies and prestige were at stake and some top-drawer squash kept the spectators engrossed in the match. The deciding game was a tale of two halves. Laing started well and seemed in control until 10-3, when a Hosny back hand was out of his reach and Hosny took the next run of points to tie at 10-10.

Hosny took control of the rallies right from the serves, as Laing now seemed to be on the back foot. A great cross-court smash from Laing regained

the hand and the last few points saw Laing keep Hosny to the back of the court, and Laing took it 15-11 for 3-2.

A Borders hostelry has come forward among scores of other pubs and bars across the UK to be voted among the nation’s best rugby pubs.

Queenshead Hotel in Kelso has made it to the finals of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens rugby pub of the year competition.

It faces opposition from Edinburgh and from south of the border, with the reigning title holder, the Merchants Inn (appropriately in Rugby) back in contention.

A special atmosphere appears to be what rugby lovers want from their local watering hole – as it’s the one thing that all the shortlisted venues have in common.

But which one will rise up to take the title of Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens rugby pub of the year 2019?

It’s over to rugby fans to choose the winner by voting in a poll on social media.

Douglas Hardie, president of Melrose Rugby Club, said: “We launched this competition last year and it generated a fantastic response but there have been even more entries this time round.

“It just goes to show how much rugby fans appreciate their local pubs and clubs pulling out all the stops to make match days special.

“Rugby fans all over the country have told us what they love about their locals and, now that entries have been whittled down to a shortlist, it’s over to the public to choose the one that deserves to win the award.”

Customers who have given the Queenshead Hotel a try have left comments like: “Great food,drink and banter. Best cod and chips I have had ever anywhere bar none!”

The other shortlisted venues are the Queen’s Arms in Edinburgh, the Merchants Inn, Rugby, and the Sup & Chow in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Voting is free and easy – choose your winner by completing the simple voting form at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/bestrugbypub2019

Or on the Melrose Sevens social media at Facebook at www.facebook.com/melrose7s, Twitter @melrose7s

The winner will be announced later this month. The pub which gains the most votes will receive the coveted title and an inscribed plaque to recognise the achievement.

Last year, the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in St Boswells was in the running, before losing out to the Merchant Inn.

The Warwickshire pub’s manager, James Reeve, said the win gave the venue an unexpected boost. “First up, it was a massive shock, but also an honour, to win this competition, as we were up against some of the best in the business. We would love to retain the title but we know the competition will be tough.”

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens takes place on Saturday, April 13 and is a great day out for families, couples and rugby fans who enjoy fast and exhilarating sporting action.

Clubs from across Scotland will be competing against each other this year, alongside international teams from England, South Africa and USA, for their chance to win the Aberdeen Standard Investments Melrose Sevens Ladies Cup.

If you can’t make it to Melrose, watch BBC coverage through BBC Scotland, which is available outside Scotland on Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit www.melrose7s.com. Keep up to date with the action on Facebook at www.facebook.com/melrose7s, Twitter @melrose7s and Instagram @melrose7s.

Peebles High School won gold and Earlston High School took home silver from the Scottish East Regional Giant Heptathlon Athletics Finals, held recently in Edinburgh.

The schools joined six other teams from the East Region to fight it out for the National Giant Heptathlon title.

As winners of the East Regional Finals, Peebles High School’s points will now be entered into a league table with the top scorers from across Scotland’s four other regions – Grampian, Tayside/Fife, Central and West – to determine this year’s National Giant Heptathlon winners.

The Giant Heptathlon is a test of speed, endurance, skill and physical ability, with each competitor taking part in seven different events.

Teams include 14 pupils (seven boys and seven girls) from S1 and 2 age groups. Each athlete’s individual score is added to that of their teammates to determine the total score for each school.

Events include 40m sprint, 40m hurdles, step-up challenge, standing long jump, standing triple jump, shot putt and an endurance challenge.

Following the first ever Borders Secondary Giant Heptathlon in January, Peebles and Earlston High Schools went through to represent the region.

“For two Borders teams to go to the East Regional Finals for the first time, and to come home with the top two spots, is just fantastic,” said Gemma Ross, Live Borders Active Schools Co-ordinator for the Earlston cluster.

“Pupils from both schools were a credit to themselves and their schools. The determination and camaraderie they demonstrated on the day was amazing to see.”

Gemma has also extended thanks to Earlston, Peebles and Gala Academy PE staff for buying in to the Border Giant Heptathlon idea earlier this year, and for giving Active Schools the opportunity to pilot the event for the first time.

“Had it not been for this, we would not have been competing in the East Regional Finals and wouldn’t be celebrating this double success,” she added.

Susan Hunter, PE teacher at Peebles High School, said: “The event was so well organised and the pupils loved it.”

Kelso Breezers, along with fellow cyclists from Kelso Wheelers and RubbersideDown Mountain Biking, are celebrating Kelso Breezers’ first birthday.

The Breezer ladies have been running women’s organised bike rides weekly, weather permitting, for the last year, and hope to tell local enthusiasts a bit more about their rides, plus the other cycling opportunities Kelso has to offer.

The group is hosting three different cycle rides before a coffee morning where anyone interested can come and chat with them and find out more over a cuppa and cake/treats.

The coffee morning is on Saturday, March 23 at 11am in Abbey Row Community Centre. There will be plenty of treats for a small donation, with funds raised going back into the community via Kelso Heartbeat.

While finding out all about Breeze rides, the group’s two Kelso ride leaders, Laura Nisbet and Tracey Humphreys, will be able to tell visitors all about what the group does.

Members of our group – and, hopefully, its sister networks, the Jedburgh Breezers, Hawick Belles and Ancrum Spinners – will have information about rides in other parts of the Borders.

Also likely to be in attendance are Just Cycle, from Tweedbank, who recycle bikes and parts, along with bike mechanic Kev Welsh, from RubbersideDown Mountain Biking, who could help with advice and if you need to book your bike in for a service.

Various members of the Kelso Wheelers too will be able to tell people about what’s on.

Regarding the rides themselves, all will start from Abbey Row. Cyclists are asked to make sure their bikes are ready to go at the start time for their chosen ride. All rides will be back in time for coffee morning at 11am.

There will be a mountain bike ride at 9am, led by Kev, featuring a classic local loop. For the speedier riders, there will be a 15-mile road ride at 9.45am, followed at 10am by a social Breeze ride, led by Laura and Tracey, consisting of a really gentle five-mile loop around Kelso, suitable for young riders too, although young riders should be accompanied, as the cyclists will be on main roads as well as cycle paths.

A Peebles woman who believed she was being given a council tax refund has been conned out of money over the phone.

She is the third person to be stung by telephone fraudsters in the past month.

The woman received bogus calls yesterday from a man claiming to be from Scottish Borders Council.

He told he she was due a council tax refund and asked for her bank card details.

These were shared and the woman later discovered money had been taken from her account.

The local authority says it will never call people to either refund or demand council tax payments.

Police Scotland is urging Borderers to remain vigilant.

Police constable Nick Walker said: “Please be very wary of unsolicited phone calls and never give personal details including bank or credit card details.

“Terminate the call and contact the organisation using the number you would normally contact them on not the number given by the caller.”