SPORTING DIGEST

BOWLING

Abbotsford

The A team played Jedburgh at home last week on a night where the match started off in sunshine, but ended with the players having to battle to play their bowls through the hailstones which covered the green.

The match was close throughout, but once again the home team lost, this time by 71-77.

The first round of the Scottish ties was played last week and through to the next round are the two junior singles, the single, and the triple.

BBA

A perfect summer’s day was a welcome sight for both the Borders and Stirling County East when they met in an Andrew Hamilton Trophy match at Spittal on Saturday.

Despite getting off to a good start, at 15 ends there was only one point in it (79- 78). Three ends later, however, the Borderers had re-established their lead and took this through to the final ends with the overall score Borders 124 Stirling County East 104.

Earlston

The sun shone brightly on Earlston Bowling Club on Sunday and there were some hotly-contested ties in the Club Pairs.

Silver-topped duo Michael Scott and Walter Russell, however, burnt themselves out in the pool stages leaving Steven Greer and George Dougal to cruise to a sizzling 7-0 victory in the final. A fine day was had by all in attendance.

Galashiels

A visit by Jedburgh in the Tuesday morning triples league was close, but Gala managed to keep their opponents at bay and gain their third win in succession.

On Wednesday, the A team were also looking to keep their unbeaten run in a home match against Peebles. With weather conditions poor, they managed to get in 11 ends, which was enough to ensure the hosts victory.

For the ladies, the visitors were from Buccleuch and the match was again very close, but Gala ladies took a full five points.

Success for the club in the Scottish competitions came in the senior fours where Angus Tait, Les Thin, Ian Niven and Rob Fulton came from behind to win.

The ladies’ senior four of Anne Forsyth, Naz Rutherford, Moira Blyth and Gail Lindores also got through their qualifiers to take them through to the district finals at Hawick on June 23.

Hawick

The seniors entertained an Ettrick Forrest/Selkirk combination in the league last week.

The match was played in excellent spirit and was in the balance right up to the end when the hosts lost narrowly by 53-57. Top rink was the Jim Gray skipped rink.

Last Wednesday saw the Hawick A team play Lauder at home and it was the Teries who triumphed by 99-68. Top rink for the Hawick was skipped by young Martin Christy.

The B team travelled the 22 miles to Kelso, and had a close game, but again the home side prevailed by coming out on top by 73-60.

Langholm

Two Langholm Old Town triples contested the final of the Langholm New Town club American open triples tournament last Saturday.

The winning triple was Grant Fletcher, Billy Currie and Colin Turk who beat Roy Park, Robert Phillips and Kevin Irving.

The Arthur Gibson memorial cup was presented to the winners by committee member Carolle Warwick.

Melrose

Melrose progressed to the semi-final stages of the national Top Ten competition following a hard fought 71-63 victory over Wellington Park on Sunday.

The semi-finals and final will be played on Sunday, June 9 at Eddlewood Bowling Club. If enough support is given, a coach may be laid on by the club for a nominal charge. For information contact 07554 734519.

Newtown

Sunday was the semi-final of Bowls Scotland Two-bowl Triples. The club was represented by M. Todd, S. Blacklock and A. Blacklock.

This game was played in sets and the club’s ladies lost the first and won the second. The match moved to a tie-break which the Newtown ladies won. They will now play in the district finals.

The next event is the Dryburgh Trophy. Names should be in the draw for Friday.

Selkirk

Sunday saw Selkirk Bowling Club host their Australian Pairs competition. After a very close final, the eventual winners were Harry Bell and Eck Chalmers, beating Ian Borthwick and Lesley Carruthers.

GOLF

Galashiels

John Scott (Plumbing & Heating) Seniors Championship Qualifier: A. League winner, W. Morrison nett 36.; B.league winner: 1, P. Seggie 39 bih.

Wednesday Stroke 1, J. Shiel 80 (16) 64; 2, J. Rigg 83 (18) 65.

Championship Qualifier (2): 1, S. King 71 (9) 62; 2=, D. King 75 (10) 65, K. Turnbull 72 (7) 65.

Earlston

On a blustery spring day Earlston Golf Club ventured onto the fairways at Peebles Golf Course to thrash it out for the coveted Hunter Cup.

Ross Aitchison lifted the trophy with a 68, Stevie Brown following him in with a 69.

Thanks go to club president Brian Hunter for his sponsorship on the day and Peebles Golf Club for their kind hospitality and excellent catering.

Hawick

Medal: 1, A. Martin 94 (23) 71; 2, R. Middlemas 101 (28) 73. Scratch: L. Douglas 91.

Ladies Open Greensome: 1, S. Coltman and M. Turnbull nett 65.5; 2, F. Turnbull and D. Richards 72.

Kelso

Thistle Cup: 1, C. Sweenie 75 (10) 65; 2, K. Hook 85 (19) 66; 3, D. Wilson 82 (15) 67. Scratch: M. Ford 72.

Calum Romanis Trophy: 1, M. Henderson 87 (18) 69 bih; 2, I. Symons 89 (20) 69; 3, C. Sweenie 79 (9) 70.

Melrose

Gibson Trophy (Ladies): 1, V. Hogg (20) 33 points; 2, A. Holton (21) 32; 3, B. Robertson (27) 30.

May Clubhouse Competition: 1, C.Creamer 79 (11) 68; 2, D. Grant 80 (11) 69; 3, A. Duncan 85 (16) 69. Scatch: L. M. Wallace 72.

Minto

Teams of Minto and Bellingham Golf Club senior ladies played a highly enjoyable Texas Scramble at Eyemouth. Gill Cartwright, Anne Turnbull and their Bellingham partner were the winners.

Minto juniors beat a team of Minto adults by 3.5 rubbers to 0.5 in a 4 ball better ball matchplay competition, underlining the promise of the current juniors.

Ally Whillans Memorial Trophy: Division One winner, R. Allott gross 74 (8) 66; Division Two, J. Currie 79 (13) 66; Division Three, C. Black 88 (20) 68.

Philco Salver: 1, A. Thompson & R. Pringle 31 points; 2, T. Glendinning & M. Glendinning 30.

St Boswells

Championship qualifier (2): 1, C. Rae, 68 (04) 64; 2, K. Watson 79 (14) 65; 3, K. Ovens 74 (08) 66.

Championship qualifier (3): 1, A. Hume 83 (20) 63; 2, D. Murdoch 84 (18) 66; 3, T. Cass 84 (18) 66.Scratch: C. Ovens 69.

Eildon trophy (1): 1, M. Ovens 74 (10) 64; 2, C. Hardie 78 (13) 65; 3, N. Linton 75 (9) 66.

Seniors May Medal /Championship Qualifier: 1, W. Macrae 79 (13) 66; 2, F. Bain 87 (21) 66; 3, H. Oliver 92 (22) 70.

Ladies Cobblers Stableford: 1, R. Macdonald (36) 49 points; 2, G. Oliver (6) 39; 3, P. Baillie (24) 37.

Congratulations to Hazel Thomson and Kath Hardie who will represent St Boswells Golf Club in The Ladies Coronation Foursomes Final.

Torwoodlee

Open Mixed Greensomes: 1, I. Thomson & D. Richards (Torwoodlee) 69 bih; 2, T & N. Coleman (Swanston) 69; 3, G & F. Melrose (St Boswells) 69.4. Scratch: R. C. Brydon & V. Scott (Torwoodlee) 75.

Tuesday Stroke: 1, R. Forsyth 72 (5) 67 after count back; 2, D. G. Gillie 67 (0) 67; 3, J. Graham 79 (11) 68.

Championship Qualifier (1): 1, R. Forsyth 70 (4) 66; 2, K. Anderson 83 (16) 67 bih; 3, J. Kelly 74 (7) 67. Scratch: C. Riddle 68.

The Woll

Championship Qualifier A Class: 1, A. Lindores 67 (4) 63; A. Gillie 73 (6) 67; 3, S. Watson 76 (7) 69. B.Class: 1, M. Innes 86 (16) 70; 2, A. Willison 90 (19) 71; 3, P.Forsyth 95 (20) 75.

HOCKEY

(picture story)

Betty Scott, chairperson of Ettrick and Lauderdale Sports Council, and Euan Dodds from the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust, presented awards in several categories at the Tweedbank Festival of Hockey last weekend.

They were: Susannah Godfrey-Fawcett (U12); Iona Kellett (U14); Morven Cawthorn (U16); Claire Hill (U18); Emily Newlands (senior); Ashley Robson (junior coach); Susan Pettie (grassroots coach); Julie Abbott (senior coach); Moira Anderson (volunteer); Spencer Pitman (umpire).

Certificates of merit: M. Haines, S. Cartmail, R. Holloway, J. Clarke, T. Naylor, R. Anderson, E. Jamieson, H. Kemp, H. Stewart, J. Peace, A. Young, I. Young, E. Lawrence, E. Mack, K. Morris, C. Aitchieson, W. Seeley, C. Jack, D. Walker, C. Wright, E. Pearce, K. Stevens, L. Crawford, R. Gowans, M. Cawthorn, J. Wright, T. Catto, A. Linton, I. Johnstone-Jones, L. Young, L. Inglis, K. Millar, L. Mackinnon, J. Robson, J. Lochrie, L. Grant, C. Scott, J. Tyreman, Z. Higgins, N. Laing.

HOMING

Earlston & District

Members sent 200 birds to the Dryburgh Arms sponsored Newark race, liberated at 6am into a north wind.

Results: 1, 4, 5, I. Gray 1193.96; 2, W. Gray & Son 1188.45; 3, 8, 10, A. Simpson 1170.53; 6, S. Hardie & Sons 1152.99; 7, A. Bain 1149.84; 9, S. Martin 1126.05.

Galashiels

Eleven members sent 160 pigeons to Newark, a distance of 193 miles. Results: T. Klasicki 1191.592; 2, 6, 7, J. Wyper 1179.672; 3, 5, 9, 10, Douglas & Spearman 1174.077; 4, B. Dixon 1172.863; 8, J. Douglas 1131.581.

Jedburgh

Seven members sent 130 pigeons to Newark, a distance of 185 miles. Results: 1, 2, 3, A. Agnew & Son 1174.204; 4, 5, 7, Mr & Mrs Simpson 1122.180; 6, F. Taylor 1074.094; 8, T. Wilson 1039.601.

Langholm

The club liberated 97 birds from Wollaston over 189 miles in a light north wind. Results: 1,2,3,4,5, 7, 8, R V Graham 1361.731, 1349.430, 1348.158, 1347.160, 1342.643; 6 D Nordon 1340.240; 9 D Nordon 1334.431; 10 A Henderson 1296.389.

The final of the Waddell Cup - the last fixture in this season’s Border Amateur League - will be played on Tuesday, June 4 at Greenlaw.

It will be contested between Gala Rovers and either Greenlaw, Hearts of Liddesdale or Hawick Waverley.

Hawick and Hearts face each other in the quarter finals on Thursday, before the winners play Greenlaw in the semi’s on Saturday.

GALA travelled to Goldenacre to face Heriot’s 2nd XI and recorded a comfortable seven-wicket victory, passing the home side’s total of 148 in only 30 overs.

Stevie Halls asked the home side to make first use of a firm wicket with a slick outfield providing full value for the batsmen’s shots, however, the Gala bowling attack was up to the task, taking wickets at regular intervals to restrict the home side to 148.

In reply, Stevie Halls set off like a train, regularly finding the boundary with powerful drives and flashing cuts. David Boland was content to provide support and the pair took the score to 49 before Anderson got past Boland’s defence.

Josh Irvine also looked in fine form as he and Halls took the score to 100 before Halls was yorked for a classy 64, including 12 boundaries.

Duncan Millar soon followed Halls but Gala had no further mishaps as Neil Crooks joined Irvine, who found the boundary at regular intervals as Gala reached their target with 20 overs to spare.

Hawick travelled to Penicuik on Sunday, in the Activity Presidents Plate.

The visitors batted first on a beautiful track, but got off to the worst possible start, losing both openers and three middle-order batsmen, with nobody reaching double figures. However Ronan Alexander provided good support for Allan Moffat, who raced to 32 and the Teries continued to rebuild to post a score of 130 for eight.

The travelling side knew they would have to bowl well to reach the quarter-finals and they did just that as Penicuik were all out for 83, allowing Hawick & Wilton to progress.

After a few false starts, Gala Under 13’s finally got on the pitch when they hosted Melrose in a Border League match at Meigle Park.

Melrose batted first and were restricted to 63 for 4 in their 20 overs with Howard retiring on 30.

For the home side, Edwardson picked up two wickets for eight runs and Halls and Harris Rutherford a wicket each.

In reply, Gala lost Easson, Halls and Bell early, but a good partnership between Finlay Rutherford and Edwardson took Gala to the brink of victory. Rutherford retired having reached 30, before Gow and Scott saw the home side to victory with almost four overs to spare.

Despite being more of a day for the ducks, the weather did not deter South Ladies Over-35s from an excellent display of hockey at Titwood last week.

With a number of the squad having hung up their well battered hockey sticks a number of years ago, and requiring a quick run-down of the rules of the modern game during the warm-up, the squad very quickly settled into winning ways, defeating East by a comfortable 3-0.

The second tie against South West saw the South playing to their strengths and dominating the match with a 2-0 win.

Some old scores were settled in the tie against West in what was one of the hardest fought matches. Feeling the pressure, the South worked hard to claim a well-deserved 2-0 win.

Facing Midlands in the semi-finals, neither team managed to score so for the first time the squad were forced into selecting five players for a penalty shoot-out and, despite the tension, clinched victory.

A quick cup of tea calmed the nerves before heading out to face a strong West team in the final. Showing the usual Borders fighting spirit the ladies were unlucky not to take the lead on a number of occasions. A 0 – 0 draw at the final whistle resulted in a further penalty shoot out, where a confident display resulted in South claiming victory.

South Over-35s: J. Jack, E. Jack, C. Townsend, D. Fairbairn, V. Taylor, B. McLeod, L. Tait, S. Cochrane, J. Wright, K. Francis, C. Allison, J. Arnot, J. Wilson, E. Lunn, P. Bell (coach).

A STUNNING day for cricket greeted players and spectators at The Green for St Boswells’ fourth match in the East League first division.

Having won the toss, Edinburgh Academicals stepped out to field on the sun-soaked pitch and some good bowling from openers Jones and Williams made St Boswells fight for runs. Elliot Ruthven and Chinniah Prabhakar fell fairly cheaply, while captain Steven Broom looked initially confident, but also went easily.

Things weren’t looking good, but, quietly, Scott Ruthven was entering the 30s and once joined by keeper Ross Graham the runs positively flowed, the total passing 100 then 150 before Graham fell to a wild shot caught by bowler Williams. Young Craig Paterson fell soon afterwards and then Ruthven to an lbw for a marvellous 97.

St Boswells’ two pillars of stone, Elliot Hunter and Scott Turnbull paired up and took the score over the vital 200 mark before both falling in quick succession and, pick of the Accies bowlers, Banerjee, mopped up the tail end with Mann, to leave a challenging 225 to win.

Accies started strongly with openers De Haan and Maclaren easing them past 50, but the rot was soon to set in as strike bowlers Rory Elms, Elliot Ruthven, Turnbull and Prabhakar all took turns in exposing the middle order. Bringing on Craig McNeill with his apparently easy spin was the hammer blow to Accies, as four wickets fell, all either caught or stumped to over-optimistic shots. They were finally bowled out for 136 with St Boswells winning by 88 runs, and working their way inexorably up division one to fifth place.

MORE than 400 players took to the Tweedbank pitch in glorious sunshine at the weekend for the annual Festival of Hockey.

The biggest event of the year for hockey in the area saw over 50 games played, a busy weekend for the large number of volunteers and spectators who supported players on and off the pitch.

Festival organiser and hockey development officer Janet Jack told TheSouthern: “The Festival encourages the core values that Borders Hockey Development promotes to all of our players. These values continue to strengthen our base of players developing into international players.”

The range of ages and abilities of those taking part was extremely diverse, from those starting out aged seven, right through to one of the Masters goalkeepers, aged 69.

“This really highlights how the game of hockey can encompass both sexes and all ages,” added Jack.

Saturday kicked off with the Participation Centre Festival for the 8-12 age group, with 13 teams from across the Borders taking to the pitch.

This was followed by 62 players representing Borders Under-12, Under-13 and Under-14 Development squads participating in a workshop.

The players were also inspired by two of the Scottish junior international coaches and the junior Borders international players, who mentored them throughout the event.

An experienced Scottish Masters Women’s team travelled to Tweedbank from various corners of the country to play against a Borders Masters team and a more youthful Borders select side.

Eight junior Under-14 teams were welcomed to Tweedbank on Sunday morning and in the afternoon Graham Stuart, one of Scotland’s most celebrated goalkeepers, delivered a coaching workshop.

A small sided game was played on a half-pitch with a blend of the more ‘mature’ end of the men’s game mixed with the younger side.

The Under-16 round robin tournament really demonstrated how far hockey has come over the last few years and some very exciting and entertaining mixed hockey was on show.

The weekend was heralded as a huge success with everybody coming away tired, tanned and smiling.

Gala picked up their second piece of silverware of the season when they defeated St Boswells in the Border 20/20 final, held over from last year.

The match was a tense affair which went to the last over before Neil Crooks hit the winning boundary with two balls to spare.

St Boswells batted first on a cold and blustery evening and Kris Mein made an early breakthrough as Elliot Ruthven gave him a return catch. Steven Broom and Chinniah Prabhakar then built a solid partnership.

However, as both were dismissed, the scoring rate dropped, mainly thanks to a great spell from Dinesh Tharanga.

Kris Mein returned for the final over and picked up two more wickets as St Boswells ended their innings on 112 for six.

Despite losing Stevie Halls for four, David Boland and Josh Irvine kept up with the asking rate in a partnership of 43 before Ruthven yorked Boland.

Gala lost no momentum with Duncan Millar coming to the crease as an excellent partnership with Irvine brought the visitors within 12 runs of victory with two overs remaining, but Craig McNeill struck twice in three balls to remove both batsmen, and followed up by dismissing Kris Mein with the final ball of the 19th over.

So nine needed from the final over and Crooks had a huge slice of luck as he chased a short, wide ball from Broom only to edge through to wicket keeper Elliot Hunter, however a no ball had been called.

The next ball was pulled by Crooks into the leg side, resulting in three runs.

Rory Hancock missed at the next two, however, Hunter was unable to handle the second delivery and the Gala batsmen ran a bye.

Broom dropped short and wide again, and this time Crooks found the middle of the bat to reach the boundary to see Gala home to a five-wicket win.

St Boswells

E. Ruthven c & b Mein4

S. Broom st Millar b Crooks33

C. Prabhakar c J. Halls b Tharanga37

R. Young c Hancock b Moir11

C. Paterson not out13

E. Hunter b Mein2

K. White c Tharanga b Mein0

Extras12

Total for 6112

Gala

S. Halls lbw b Prabhakar4

D. Boland b Ruthven22

J. Irvine st S. Hunter b McNeill34

D. Millar b McNeill27

N. Crooks not out8

K. Mein c S Broom b McNeil2

R. Hancock not out0

Extras16

Total for 5113

Kelso lost their second game of the season in Edinburgh on Saturday to Stewarts Melville 2nds.

The Tweedsiders batted first and got off to a slow start, losing the wickets of captain Dougie Wilson and Tom Grindell. Steven Patterson and Ben Grindell put together a solid partnership, both getting 50’s respectively, and Kelso reached the total of 189 for 8 off their 45 overs.

Hard work from the Kelso bowlers meant that Stew/Mel needed eight from the last over and got the runs required off the last ball, in what was a poor fielding performance by the Tweedsiders.

HAWICK and Wilton took on Murrayfield DAFS on a glorious sunny day at Buccleuch Park, writes Rowan Alexander.

The home side won the toss and chose to bat with openers Declan Solley and Gary Alexander putting on 49 for the first wicket before the latter fell for 37. The Teries found themselves struggling at 65 for three with the run rate very low. Phil Mactaggart came in to partner captain Allan Moffat as they upped the pace, with the latter hitting 22 runs from just one over.

Mactaggart was bowled for 13, Lee Stewart for eight, but Moffat batted through to the end, finishing 83 not out as Hawick posted a competitive total of 182 for seven.

Murrayfield came out to bat, and got off to a flying start with batsman D. Kidd scoring 40, before being stumped off Alexander. A batting collapse was to follow, with the last eight wickets coming for only 17 runs, Neil Storey claiming three victims, Craig MacDougall picking up two wickets, and Stewart taking one, as Hawick ran out victors by 95 runs.

AFTER the last two matches had been called off due to wet weather, Langholm finally got back into Eden Valley league division two action, writes John Smith.

Playing on a glorious sunny day at the Castleholm, the hosts gave a sparkling display to win by eight wickets against Stainton 2nd XI.

Stainton were sent in to bat and openers Holliday and Pamphilon found the Langholm attack of skipper Duncan Elliott and Graham Park rather difficult to handle. They had only reached five when Elliott clean-bowled Holliday in the fifth over. Cleminson joined Pamphilon and the pair added 13 before Andrew Paisley had Cleminson caught in the gully by Chris Stewart for 10.

In his next over Paisley had Silburn caught by Jack Pool to make the visitors 23 for 3.

No runs had been added when Graham Park dismissed opener Pamphilon lbw for 10.

Mulholland and Harrison edged the score up to 38, but in the 21st over Paisley had Harrison caught behind by keeper Gregor Masterton for four.

With the score on 44, Steve Johnstone clean-bowled Ritchie for five to leave Stainton six wickets down.

Mullholland was the only batsman who was able to fend off the Langholm bowling attack, but was soon running out of partners. Pool took over the bowling and struck immediately to dismiss Welsh with a catch by Euan Wilson. In the next over, Johnstone bowled Heminway and then Wills to put them all out for 63.

Masterton and Elliott opened for Langholm, but some quick bowling had young Masterton out for a duck. Gregor Park entered the fray for the home side and promptly smashed his first ball to the boundary for four. Two deliveries later, Gregor Park was bizarrely run out as he sauntered back to the crease with the score 11 for 2.

The Stainton fielders began to think they had a chance, but when Graham Park joined Elliott the former began to score freely with some solid shots and the total started to mount. Langholm passed the visitors’ total in only 12 overs to finish on 67 for 2 with Park and Elliott still at the wicket.

This was a good win for Langholm against a team that beat them twice last season.

Despite putting up a brave battle, Kelso lost to Western Region champions Dumfries in the Murgitroyd T20 on Sunday.

Dumfries batted first at Shedden Park and Kelso did well to restrict the visitors to 166 off their 20 overs. Some superb bowling by Callum Davidson (4-21), backed up by great fielding, helped slow the visitors down.

Kelso got off to a solid start with Dougie Wilson and Ben Grindell at the crease before Robert Hogarth stepped in with a quickfire 44 which put Kelso in a strong position. But, sadly, wickets began to fall on a regular basis and Kelso fell 35 runs short, in the end losing to a better team.

Hawick Cycling Club appear to be enjoying part of the ‘Olympic Legacy’ as it now boasts 50 members, many more than previous years.

Thursday evening saw the first mountain tt event. Results: 1, K. Darling 25.22; 2, C. Telfer Jnr 26.28; 3, D.Cavers 28.45; 4, T. Harkness 30.15; 5, K. Rayner 30.21; 6, R. Hope 30.44; 7, N. Robertson 33.29; 8, A. Jolly 39.38.

New members are always welcome to join. For further information please call 01450 378041.

Monday night was sprint night for Kelso Wheelers at Sprouston.

One km results. Youths: 1, O. Onley 1.21 mins; 2, B. Simpson 1.31; 3, D. Easson 1.36; 4, R. Gillie 1.45. Seniors: 1=, R. Ure, D. Burgher 1.07pbs; 3, E. Ford 1.08; 4, M. Burgher 1.09pb; 5. R. Norris 1.10; 6, J. Smith 1.11pb; 7=, C. Stevenson, S. Gaunt 1.12pbs; 9=, R. Connell, G. Ford 1.13pbs; 11, I. McKenzie 1.14pb; 12, K. Wilson 1.15pb; 13, D. Richardson 1.16pb; 14=, R. Kerr, G. Dalglish 1.17pbs; 16, K. Gillie 1.18; 17, G. Easson 1.19pb; 18, A. Ker 1.21pb; 19=, R. Smith, D. Whitecross 1.28pbs.

One-mile sprint Youth results: 1, O. Onley 2.34 mins; 2, B. Simpson 2.40; 3, D. Easson 2.46; 4, R. Gillie 2.50. Seniors: 1, D. Burgher 1.55pb; 2, R. Ure 1.56pb; 3=, M. Burgher, R. Norris, C. Stevenson 2.00pbs; 6=, E. Ford, J.Smith 2.01pbs; 8, S. Gaunt 2.04pb; 9=, I. McKenzie, R.Kerr 2.05pbs; 11, K. Wilson 2.07pb; 12, R. Connell 2.08pb; 13=, G. Ford, D. Richardson 2.09pbs; 15, G. Dalglish 2.12pb; 16. K. Gillie 2.15; 17, G. Easson 2.16pb; 18, A. Ker 2.19pb; 19, D. Whitecross 2.26pb; 20, R. Smith 2.28pb.

Thanks to Alan Laidlaw and Suzy Wilson for their help with the event.

IF the Borders is steeped in motor sporting tradition, then there are few more so than the Buckley dynasty at Hassington.

Renowned throughout British rallying as one of the foremost rally car preparation and rally team management companies in the business, Dom Buckley Motorsport’s expertise was born in the white-hot heat of competition.

In 1984 Dom Buckley and Doug Redpath won the Jim Clark Rally in a self-prepared Ford Escort RS1800, then in 1998, Dom Buckley Jnr and Neil Ewing won only the second running of the UK mainland’s first closed public road rally in their Subaru Impreza.

Now it’s the turn of a third generation Dom Buckley, who will be contesting this year’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally, in another Subaru Impreza, with Doug Redpath on the maps again.

Oddly enough, ‘young’ Dom was a late starter. This will be the 22-year-old’s sixth rally. At present he is captain of the Kelso 7s rugby team and rallying has taken second place to his rugby career so far. Even so, his rallying record is mighty impressive.

To date, he has started six rallies and finished four, finishing third twice and second once, before taking his first outright victory on the local Charterhall Stages Rally two months ago!

The dynasty doesn’t stop there, either. In the early 2000s Neil Buckley (the middle Dom’s brother) successfully campaigned a Mitsubishi Lancer in the British Championship, winning the British Group N title, but which just lacked the firepower to go for an outright win on his home event. He, too, combined a successful rugby playing career with his rallying, but like brother and father now helps to run this thriving family business which assists and supports rally teams right across the UK and Ireland and as far afield as Italy and Monte Carlo, Sweden and Barbados.

Can young Dom repeat his dad and grandad’s feat in the Jim Clark?

He’ll be up against four-times Scottish Rally Champion David Bogie, the fast and furious Jock Armstrong and top local driver Euan Thorburn, among many. Victory this year would be an entirely unexpected result, but the experience gained could give him a serious fighting chance next year. So look out for the yellow Subaru this weekend. Fairy tales sometimes happen.

Jim Clark Rally schedule

TONIGHT

Rally Forum in the Tait Hall, Edenside Road, Kelso, TD5 7BS, 7-9pm (free entry).

FRIDAY

• The rally starts at 6.52pm from Duns town square, with six special stages, including two runs through the town centre.

• The first car will finish in the town square at around 10.45pm.

• Watch the action in Abbey St Bathans at 7.22pm and 9.18pm.

SATURDAY

• Starts at 8am in Kelso Square, with 10 special stages.

• The first car will finish back in Kelso Square at 5.28pm.

• The Langton test returns this year at 11.54am and 14.08pm.

• The Eccles test runs at 8.15am and again at 3.51pm.

• Edrom: 10.45am and 12.54pm.

• Ayton: 11.07am and 1.19pm.

SUNDAY

• Reivers Rally starts at 9.15am from Duns town square.

• It finishes back in the square from 3.27pm.

• Langton: 12.21pm and 2.10pm

• Edrom: 1.01pm and 2.50pm

Note

There will be no spectator parking at Swinton crossroads during the Jim Clark Rally weekend as the farmer has ploughed the field.

IF evidence were needed as to how far the legend of Scottish racing driver Jim Clark stretches, look no further than the entry list.

This coming week, hundreds of rally crews will descend on the Borders for three days of racing on the same country lanes where a young Clark learned his driving trade. Among them are future world champions from Finland, seasoned campaigners from Yorkshire, and first-timers from just a few miles down the road wondering if they will be able to follow in Clark’s footsteps.

One crew stands out in the ‘home town’ column of the entry list, though – Adam Spence and Erin Kelly, hailing from Sydney and Brisbane respectively.

A crack team in the Australian ‘targa’ closed road racing series, Spence and Kelly are keen to see how they measure up against the current stars in the British Rally Championship – a series that has been a proving ground for some of the greatest names in rallying history. With the Australian targa events being contested on closed asphalt roads, the Jim Clark Rally seemed the natural choice for the duo’s introduction to British rallying.

However, the crew are under no illusions about the magnitude of the task in front of them. Narrower roads, night driving and unfamiliar tyres all lie ahead – not forgetting, of course, the famously unpredictable Borders weather. The Aussie pair will also be swapping their usual steed, a turbocharged Renault Megane, for a high-revving Honda Civic Type R.

“I’ve been looking at the stages quite a lot, and to say they are different to the Australian roads would be quite an understatement. They are so, so different. The roads I have seen are extremely narrow and unforgiving in terms of run off areas and will put much more demands on the navigator to get calls out pretty rapidly,” said Spence.

“In Australia the roads are primarily far more flowing and wider. The average speeds I am used to would be higher, but I am totally realistic that the Jim Clark is going to be a very steep learning curve for both myself and Erin.

“Saying that we are really excited about being here at the event, to be honest.”

Spence and Kelly will be running as car number 27 on the Jim Clark Rally.

The Jim Clark Rally is under starter’s orders and tomorrow night the region’s biggest annual sporting event will get under way from the town square in Duns.

More than 280 rally crews – the biggest entry for four years – from all over Britain and further afield will race over sections of closed public roads in the hunt for points in all of the UK’s major rallying championships.

Not only is this event a round of the British Rally Championship and UK Historic Rally Championship, but it is also a counter in both of the national Scottish Rally Championships, plus many regional competitions.

That means every single competitor has his or her own personal hopes and aspirations for the weekend.

The only Borders driver in the BRC part of the Jim Clark Rally this year, Garry Pearson from Duns, is trying not to let the pressure get to him.

Seeded number 17 and third in the very competitive R2 category, Pearson hopes that he can quickly get to grips with the handling of this year’s car on what will be only his second event in the Fiesta R2 and his first on tarmac.

Although all competitors are allowed two reconnaissance runs through the stage at slow speed before the event starts, Pearson is hoping to make the most of his local knowledge.

He and co-driver Tom Hynd from Inverbervie lie second in the R2 Championship with 18 points, just two behind Steve Rokland from Norway who won the Fiesta Sport Trophy International Shoot-Out in 2011.

Pearson and Hynd lie in eighth overall in the BRC after what can only be described as a dream start to their 2013 campaign.

“The Fiesta is a great car but there is a lot more to the suspension set-up than with any other car that I have previously used in a championship,” he said.

“And the Friday night’s bumpy stages are quite different to Saturday’s flowing ones.”

Scottish Championship contenders on Sunday’s Jim Clark Reivers Rally are closely matched. After two rounds of the ARR Craib Scottish Championship, David Bogie (Dumfries), along with Hawick co driver Kevin Rae, lead Quintin Milne (Aberdeen) by one solitary point. One of the big threats here is local hope Euan Thorburn from Duns.

He retired from the last round in Aberdeenshire with a damaged exhaust, but bounced back two weekends ago when he won the Plains Rally outright in Wales.

There are only three all-lady crews contesting this year’s event, among them are Carin Logan (Kelso) and Christine Sanderson (Berwick), who will be contesting the National competition in their Citroen Saxo.

But rallying is not just about winners, it is about personal targets and inter-class rivalry.

The field is broken up into class categories for 1400cc cars all the way up to the 2.5-litre ‘big bangers’. Within that there are various sub divisions featuring many of the top local crews, plus a separate category for the ever popular historic cars. And, as always on the Jim Clark, there will be a special class for Land Rovers with crews representing all three major armed services.