bowling

THE GENTS BORDER BOWLING LEAGUE

Division one

Ettrick Forest 65 Jedburgh 98

Melrose 77 Ancrum 77

Earlston 75 Kelso 81

Abbotsford 84 Wilton 68

Selkirk 74 Waverley 91

P W D F A Diff Pts

Melrose 8 6 1 658 569 +89 13

Waverley 8 6 0 657 567.5 +89.5 12

Abbotsford 8 5 0 674 568 +106 10

Kelso 8 4 0 657 609 +48 8

Jedburgh 8 3 2 624 634 -10 8

Earlston 8 4 0 609 628 -19 8

Wilton 8 3 1 616 637 -21 7

Selkirk 8 3 0 611 658 -47 6

Ancrum 8 1 2 604 645 -41 4

Ettrick Forest 8 2 0 551.5 746 -194.5 4

Division TWO

Hawick 80 St Ronan’s 73

Lauder 78 Gala 85

Peebles 76.75 Stow 73

Newtown 77 Buccleuch 81

P W D F A Diff Pts

Hawick 6 5 0 494 414.25 +79.75 10

Gala 6 5 0 476 429 +47 10

St Ronan’s 6 4 0 486 410.25 +75.75 8

Lauder 6 4 0 474 437.75 +36.25 8

Buccleuch 6 3 0 481 450.5 +30.5 6

Newtown 6 1 0 431.5 488 -56.5 2

Peebles 6 1 0 382 481 -99 2

Stow 6 1 0 404 517.75 -113.75 2

Division THREE

Kelso B 61 Wilton B 49

Waverley B 59 Hawick B 52.25

Gala B 54 Abbotsford B 71

P W D F A Diff Pts

Wilton B 5 4 0 306 257.25 +48.75 8

Kelso B 5 3 1 315 273.75 +41.25 7

Waverley B 6 3 1 381 361.25 +19.75 7

Abbotsford B 5 3 0 309.25 293 +16.25 6

Hawick B 6 2 0 345.5 356.25 -10.75 4

Gala B 5 0 0 238 353.25 -135.25 0

SENIOR LEAGUE

Buccleuch 48 Hawick 54

Earlston/Melrose 52 Kelso 50

Peebles 60 Abbotsford 51

Selkirk/Ettrick Forest 65 Newtown 42

Wilton 62 Gala 39

P W D F A Diff Pts

Selkirk/Ett Forest 6 6 0 367 266 +81 12

Wilton 5 5 0 302 227 +75 10

Gala 6 4 0 345 322 +23 8

Jedburgh 5 2 2 265 255 +10 6

Hawick 6 2 1 294 338 -44 5

Abbotsford 6 2 0 290 315 -25 4

Earlston/Melrose 6 2 0 294 321 -27 4

Buccleuch 5 2 0 254 272 -38 4

Kelso 5 1 1 277 276 +1 3

Peebles 5 1 0 256 302 -46 2

Newtown 5 1 0 256 306 -50 2

Fixtures

Athletics

EILDONS THREE HILLS RACE: Saturday, June 22 – Starting from Gibson Park, Melrose (3pm).

PEEBLES BELTANE SPORTS: Sunday, June 23 – At Whitestone Park (1pm).

Bowling

DISTRICT BOWLING FINALS (Scottish Qualifiers): Sunday, June 23 – At Hawick Bowling Club (TBC)

BORDERS SENIOR LEAGUE: Tuesday, June 25 – Hawick v Abbotsford; Selkirk/Ettrick Forest v Jedburgh; Buccleuch v Gala; Wilton v Kelso; Peebles v Newtown.

BORDER LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Monday, June 24 –Melrose v Waverley; Ancrum v Kelso. Wednesday, June 26 ‑ Ettrick Forest v Abbotsford; Earlston v Selkirk; Jedburgh v Wilton.

BORDER LEAGUE DIVISION TWO: Wednesday, June 26 –Peebles v Lauder; Newtown v Hawick; Buccleuch v Gala; Stow v St Ronans.

BORDER B LEAGUE: Wednesday, June 26 – Hawick v Abbotsford; Wilton v Gala; Kelso v Waverley.

cricket

BORDERS 20/20 CUP: Thursday, July 20 – Kelso v Selkirk; St Boswells v Gala (6pm).

EAST DIVISION ONE: Saturday, June 22 – Carlton II v St Boswells (1pm).

EAST DIVISION TWO: Saturday, June 22 – Fauldhouse v Gala (1pm).

EAST DIVISION THREE: Saturday, June 22 – Kirk Brae v Kelso (1pm).

EAST DIVISION FIVE: Saturday, June 22 – Peebles County v Livingston II; Preston Village v Selkirk (1pm).

EAST DIVISION SEVEN: Saturday, June 22 – Hawick & Wilton v Melrose (1pm).

BORDERS SUNDAY LEAGUE: Sunday, June 23 – Hawick & Wilton v Gala; St Boswells v Selkirk (1.30pm).

DUNS teenager Tara Harvey produced an incredible display of tennis to secure three titles at this year’s Senior Borders Confined, writes Adam Drummond.

Held this year at Galashiels’ Borders Tennis Centre for the first time, players and organisers enjoyed largely good weather throughout and an enthralling finals day on Saturday brought the week-long tournament to a close.

And after six days of matches, it was four youngsters who topped the billing in the main draw singles finals, Lewis Armstrong (St Boswells) and Nicklas Stingl (Kelso) and Tara Harvey and Sophie Macbrayne (Melrose).

For Harvey and Armstrong, their singles finals were the first of three for them on Saturday, with the pair teaming up in the mixed doubles and also involved in their respective men’s and women’s doubles finals.

But it was Harvey who earned all the bragging rights in their partnership, scooping the women’s singles in a deciding match tie-break before going on to partner Duns compatriot Joanna Dixon to victory in the women’s doubles and then joining Armstrong to take the mixed title as well.

Armstrong did pull off a double, however, winning the men’s doubles with St Boswells teammate Simon Blair after earlier being defeated in the singles by another teenager, Stingl, in a very tight contest.

Despite a smaller than usual entry this year, the event’s move from Melrose to the Galashiels venue certainly made the organisation of matches easier, with four available courts, which also coped very well during a showery finals day.

Tournament referee Elspeth Whitelaw said: “In my opinion it was a very good week of excellent tennis played in the correct spirit by the majority – a friendly tournament enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

“The weather was, in the main, kind to us, but sadly the rain came on finals day – it did not dampen spirits at all and the high level of competitive tennis did not suffer.

“We also had a barbecue running and those in charge of it even got it going again after the first squall put it out.”

Full results can be found at www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk

Peebles High School Under-15 hockey and rugby sides have just returned from a very successful tour of Ontario in Canada.

On the pitch, the girls enjoyed victories over Hagersville Secondary and Guelph Collegiate and a draw at Appleby College, Oakville. Defeat was tasted at Grey Highlands Secondary.

The boys defeated Northern HS, Grey Highlands and Toronto Nomads and were beaten at Brantford Collegiate and against Toronto Scottish.

As well as enjoying action on the pitch, the pupils also visited the rural North of Ontario, Niagara, Wasaga beach, Wonderland theme park and educational visits to Guelph University’s Veterinary School and Fort York in Toronto. A superb highlight of the tour was the visit to the Canadian National Tower. It was the billeting in the Canadian families’ homes that made the trip, however, and Peebles HS now look forward to repaying the kind hospitality when Brantford Collegiate visit Tweeddale next March.

SPORTING DIGEST

Bowling

Abbotsford

The A team played Hawick Wilton at home last Wednesday, and after 11 ends there was only one shot in the game, but the home team gathered themselves and surged to an 84-68 win.

The B team were at Gala and won 71-54.

On Friday night, Ecky Hancock played Rees Taylor in the Scottish Qualifiers area final of the junior singles at the Waverley. This was a closely contested game, but Hancock was just the more consistent over the last few ends and won 21–17.

Tommy Newall played Colin Mackinnon in the men’s singles qualifier and again it was another close game with Newall eventually winning 21–17.

Hancock and Newall now go forward to the district finals on Sunday at Hawick Bowling Club, where one more win would see them through to the Scottish finals at Ayr.

On Saturday, the club hosted Maitland in the annual friendly match, and despite changeable weather, an enjoyable time was had by all.

Around 30 members and guests turned up at the Open Day on Sunday and after a few ends of bowls and refreshments, five new membership forms were completed and handed in, including that of eight-year-old Paddy Beatt who impressed on his first time on the green.

BBA

Borders Bowling Association met their Fife counterparts in the Andrew Hamilton Trophy at Strathmiglo on Saturday.

Despite the cold wind and threatening rainclouds, it was a must-win game for both teams, with a good shot-count required to guarantee qualification to the next stage.

The Borders did not start too well and, despite improvement in the second end, allowed Fife to hold on to a positive lead.

By the 15th end Borders had reduced the gap to five shots but again Fife came back and stretched the lead to 10 shots with only three ends to go. Fife were on form and won 107-118.

The Borderers play their final match against West Fife at Abbeyview on Saturday.

Hawick

On Tuesday, the seniors played near-neighbours Buccleuch and enjoyed a good win by 54-48. Top rink for the Hawick side was the Alec Wilson-skipped rink.

On Wednesday, the A team played host to St Ronan’s, who at the time were league leaders. This was a closely-fought contest with the Hawick side emerging winners by 80-73. Top rink for the Teries was the Martin Christy-skipped rink – S. Johnstone, K. Smith, and A. Oliver.

The B team travelled to Gala to play Waverley, and despite having to travel with two men short, the Hawick B side gave a good account of themselves. The score on the night was Hawick 52.25 Waverley 59.

Sunday saw the annual Wallace Express Open Singles tournament being played.

The final was contested between the husband-and-wife pairing of Les and Alison Clarkson, with Les emerging a comfortable winner.

Beaten semi-finalists were Micky Hogg of the Hawick club, and George Beigley of Gala.

clays

Braidwood

Ronnie Sharp Cup: 1, G. Boertiern 36; 2, J. McPhillips 35; 3, S. Donaldson 34.

golf

Earlston

The Black Bull Inn Shield was played at Torwoodlee Golf Course this year with 28 players contesting the prestigious trophy.

Richard Aitchison lifted the prize with a staggering 44 points followed by George Cessford with 41. Other winners included nearest the pins for Les Hardie and Craig Douglas with the young Aitchison (Ross) hitting a 315-yard longest drive.

The club thank Torwoodlee Golf Club and sponsors Rose and Brian Thorburn.

Galashiels

John Scott (Plumbing & Heating) Seniors Championship Qualifier: A League winner, R. Horsburgh nett 36; B League winner, H. Cairney 33.

I B Johnston Trophy: 1, B. Barnard 72 (9) 63; 2, S. Robertson 68 (4) 64. Shield: 1, D. Thomson 76 (13) 63; 2, A. Jeffrey 79 (15) 64; 3=, H. Cairney 89 (23) 66, J. Rigg 83 (17) 66.

Wednesday Stroke: Winner, A. Donald 88 (24) 64.

Hawick

Medal and Championship qualifier (1): 1, A. Martin 91 (23) 68; 2, F. Robson 92 (20) 72. Scratch: J. Anderson 78.

Medal/Rosebowl: 1, S. Coltman 89 (20) 69; 2, S. Donaldson 101 (25) 76 bih. Scratch: J. Anderson 82.

Kelso

Maxwell Motors Trophy: 1, W. Mulroy 79 (13) 66; 2=, I. Lauder 66 (0) 66, S. Turnbull 72 (6) 66; J. Logan 75 (9) 66.

Lauder

Gents June Medal: 1, I. Scott 77 (11) 66; 2, J. Felton 84 (16) 68; 3, G. Dun 95 (26) 69.

Ladies June Medal: 1, J. Stevenson 113 (36) 77; 2, M. Fallas 95 (16) 79; 3, L. Gray 100 (20) 80.

Ladies Captain’s Day: 1, H. Lumsden; 2, J. Stevenson; 3, E. Brotherstone.

Minto

Seniors’ Stableford: John Law went to the top of the Seniors’ Summer League by winning this week’s competition with a score of 39 points.

Gents’ Tuesday Stableford (No 6): 1, I. Lister 39 points; 2=, S. Mabon, WD Howden, Paul Inglis 38.

Ladies Medal (No 3) Silver Division: Winner, C. Thom 91 (14) 77. Scratch: L. Moore 94 bih. Bronze Division: Winner (and Medal winner), L. Towers 95 (25) 70. Scratch: M. Towers 93.

Ladies’ nine-hole competition: Winner, K. Sanford 14 points.

Minto ladies won a highly enjoyable match with Lauder by 2.5 rubbers to 0.5.

Juniors Daily Telegraph Qualifier: 1, L. Towers 89 (27) 62; 2, R. Latta 80 (8) 72 (lowest gross); 3, J, Flynn 91 (12) 79.

Gents Summer Competition/Championship Qualifier Division 1: 1, K. Thompson 69 (9) 60 (lowest gross); 2=, F. Mortimer 76 (6) 70, C. S. Smith 78 (8) 70, D. Patterson 76 (6) 70. Division 2: 1, R. Pringle 80 (11) 69 (Lowest gross after countback); 2, A. Thompson 83 (14) 69 After countback. Division 3: 1, M. Sargenson 90 (25) 65; 2, T. Mulvee 83 (16) 67 (lowest gross).

Torwoodlee

Tuesday Stroke: 1, R. Gladstone 76 (11) 65 bih; 2, D. Gillie 66 (1) 65 (Lowest Gross); 3, J. Penny 69 (2) 67 (bih).

Order of Merit Round 12: 1, D. Gillie 67 (0) 67; 2, B. Aitchison 72 (5) 67; 3, R. Schneebeli 91 (21) 70. Current Leader: A. Grierson.

Junior Order Of Merit Round 2: 1, R. Lowrie 106 (30) 76; 2, J. Grierson 116 (34) 82; 3, S. Dodds 111 (25) 86. Current Leader: R. Lowrie.

Monorene Guest House Senior Open: Quaich winner, T. Capon (Duns) 86 (22) 65. Category A: 1, R. Reid (Colville park) 84 (16) 68; 2, D. Carruthers (Galashiels) 80 (11) 69 bih; 3, J. Davidson (Torwoodlee) 79 (10) 69. Scratch: G. Black (Torwoodlee) 77. Category B: 1, I. Clinkscales (Torwoodlee) 77 (12) 65 bih; 2, A. Kinghorn (Torwoodlee) 82 (17) 65; 3, G. Ford (Galashiels) 80 (12) 68. Scratch: L. Wallace (Melrose) 75. Category C: 1, R. Hastings (Torwoodlee) 79 (11) 68; 2, K. Anderson (Torwoodlee) 85 (15) 70 bih; 3, D. Cardwell (Wishaw) 89 (19) 70. Scratch: G. Parker (Torwoodlee) 84.

homing

Earlston & District

Members sent birds to the W. Nisbet (joiner, Lauder) Thirsk race, liberated at 7.20am into a south-west wind. Results: 1, 2, 4, K. Heppingstall 1572.44; 3, 8, W. Gray & son 1541.53; 5, I. Gray 1533.17; 6, S. Hardie & Sons 1523.28; 7, 10, S. Martin 1515.06; 9, A. Simpson 1465.69.

Galashiels

Thirteen members sent 121 pigeons to Thirsk, a distance of 112 miles. Results: 1, 2, 3, 7, 10, J. Douglas 1439.055; 4, K. G. Laurie 1397.560; 5, 6, W. Hopewell 1393.543; 8, K. Jamieson-Mcdermott 1370.439; 9, J. Ramage 1346.623.

Hawick

Three members sent 147 pigeons to Thirsk, a distance of 100 miles. Results: 1, D. Finnigan 1258.278; 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, H. Pretswell & son 1149.014; 5, 9, J. Bain 1139.088.

Jedburgh

Seven members sent 94 pigeons to Thirsk, a distance of 100 miles. Results: 1, 3, A. Agnew & son 1513.783; 2, 4, 5, Mr & Mrs Simpson 1501.402; 6, J. G. & S. Brown 1372.657; 7, 8, T. Wilson 1277.251.

Langholm

The Langholm Homing Club had entries in the SNFC race from Newbury, Ralston Graham won the club race and finished 10th overall.

Club results: 1, 5, R. V. Graham 1372.64; 2, A. Henderson 1337.18; 3, 4, 6, 7, D Nordon 1318.72.

Last Saturday the club liberated 65 birds from Lymm, over 127 miles, with a south-west wind. Results: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, R. V. Graham 1618.794; 3, 5, 6, D. Nordon 1572.656; 9, W. Irving 1461.338.

Rugby

Hawick

The annual JH Reilly Trophy given out to the top try scorer for the season from all the Hawick rugby clubs was this year presented to John Coutts of Hawick and Hawick YM RFCs.

2012-13 JH Reilly Trophy top placings: 1, J. Coutts (Hawick & YM) 23; 2=, S. Bandeen (Wanderers), N. Murray (Linden) 17; 4, S. Bouglas (Linden) 16; 5=, K. Davies (Hawick); L. Armstrong (Hawick) 15; 7, S. Goodfellow (Linden) 13.

Organisers sympathise with Nathan Murray who also scored 23 tries, but six were scored in two friendly fixtures, which are not included for the trophy.

Conservation charity Borders Forest Trust (BFT) are holding a ‘Botany in the Beeftub’ weekend near Moffat next month.

The £40 course at the famous Devil’s Beef Tub, part of Corehead Farm, aims to help participants identify flowering plants, mosses and grasses, and to understand the nature of upland plant communities.

Corehead volunteer Peter Dreghorn said: “The main aims of the course are to understand plant communities, learn to identify flowers, plants and mosses, and hopefully return to monitor changes in the landscape.

“The course will be for anyone with an interest in this area and will include surveying, rote learning and photography.

“Enjoyment of observation of the native plants in this beautiful area and at the same time gaining an understanding what is growing at Corehead are also main objectives.”

The course will be led by ecologist Stuart Adair who has been surveying the farm’s flora before more tree planting.

Ancrum-based BFT bought the 1,580-acre farm in 2009 after an 18-month campaign to raise the £700,000 needed. Volunteers have since planted 226,000 trees, dug several ponds and established two large orchards.

For further details and booking, contact Philip Roe, Corehead site manager, by email: philip@
bordersforesttrust.org or on 07713 566295 or Peter Dreghorn on 07810 505323.

The historic appointment of a first superhead of the Borders’ four Roman Catholic schools has been made, writes Kenny Paterson.

Karen Gray takes up the £52,290 post in August, having been acting head of both St Margaret’s schools, in Galashiels and Hawick, and at St Joseph’s in Selkirk, since April.

Mrs Gray took over temporarily after Scottish Borders Council’s attempts to attract a suitable candidate earlier in the year drew a blank.

But now she will take charge permanently of all four schools, the fourth being Halyrude in Peebles where Kate Brown is currently head.

Yvonne McCracken, SBC’s head of schools services said: “We are delighted to have appointed Karen Gray, currently senior education officer at Council HQ, as the new headteacher of the four Roman Catholic schools.

“She has been headteacher of St Margaret’s and St Joseph’s in the past and has been working across three of the four schools over the last five months.”

Robert Fairburn, chairman of St Margaret’s Parent Council (Galashiels), admitted it has been a struggle for the council to find a suitable candidate for the post, describing the search as “very complex and time-consuming”.

“But we have finally reached the end of that journey and I am delighted with the appointment of Mrs Gray which will at last provide the stability the parents have been calling for,” he said.

“Mrs Gray has been leading St Margaret’s on a temporary basis since Easter, so we will be hitting the ground running when she officially takes over after the summer.”

A Gattonside grandmother, who raised funds and awareness to battle a rare genetic syndrome affecting herself and her family, is now an MBE.

Maude Brownlie, 70, set up the Helen Maude Garfit Fund, named after her grandmother (a Wimbledon ladies’ doubles champion), to support research into fragile X and fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), presently carried out at the University of Edinburgh Patrick Wild Centre.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted,” she told The Southern. “So little is known about fragile X, I wanted to try to raise awareness with health professionals and also the general public to help other families.”

Fragile X syndrome, traced back to Maude’s grandmother, is carried on the X chromosome, and is the leading cause of inherited learning difficulties and a common cause of autism. While older carriers of the condition can suffer from FXTAS, a neurological degenerative disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease, younger female carriers may suffer early ovarian failure. Fragile X is carried by or seriously affects a number of Maude’s immediate family.

Fragile X first arrived in her family’s conscience in September 1999, after the birth of Maude’s first grandchild, Ewan. The former nurse, who sat on the UK Nursing Council and the Borders Health Board for five years, together with her family, became aware of her grandson’s neurological symptoms.

Six days after the birth of daughter Liz’s second child, Harry, in 2001, results confirmed 20-month-old Ewan was suffering from fragile X syndrome, for which there has been a reliable test only since 1991. Further tests followed and Harry was also discovered to have fragile X, though not as severely.

Later in 2005, Maude’s family and friends noticed her involuntary head shake, which worsened over the next two years into a loss of balance, coordination and articulation. Extensive tests at the MIND Institute in Sacramento, California, revealed Maude to be the first known UK female to suffer from FXTAS. Their experimental drugs programme dramatically improved her symptoms by 50 per cent.

“I wanted to get this medication available on the NHS for the benefit of others,” she said. She hopes the Helen Maude Garfit Fund, which to date has raised £75,000 for the Patrick Wild Centre at the University of Edinburgh, can benefit future research. It is estimated there are between 15,000 and 20,000 fragile X sufferers in the UK.

“One woman in 129 to 250 is a carrier of fragile X syndrome, while one man in 250-800 is also a carrier of Fragile X,” she said. “The Patrick Wild Centre has opened up a register of fragile X families, including carriers and those affected.” Donations can be sent directly to Maude or to the Patrick Wild Centre, labelled Helen Maude Garfit Fund. Her brother Timmy Douglas has also written two poem collections called ‘Borderline Ballads’ and ‘Country Places’, and all proceeds from the sales go to the Helen Maude Garfit Fund.

Teri Ian Landles has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community in Hawick.

While travelling from Hawick to Hong Kong, Mr Landles expressed his delight in a letter to TheSouthern: “A’m chuffed ti bits and humbled that Her Majesty has seen fit ti honour an ordinary Hawick callant whae hez dune a’ hei’s dune no in hope o’ reward but oot o love for his ain auld toon and its folk.

“A’ve been privileged ti receive a guid few honours in ma life but this yin withoot devaluin it in ony way at a’ is almost – but no quite – up there wi bein’ Chief Guest at Hawick Common Ridin in 2004. In other words the BEM is a huge, huge honour.

“A fund oot the day afore Bonchester rideoot and apairt frae ma wife whae heard ma shout o amazed delight when A opened the envelope A tellt naebody until the Sunday efter this year’s wonderful Hawick Common Ridin when A took a’ oor faimily ti the Woll for what they didni realise was a celebratory meal.

“A’ve been overwhelmed be the kind messages that hev been pourin in be e-mail and Facebook for which A thenk everybody maist sincerely. Their mair than kind responses hev again been very humblin.

“At the moment oo’re in Hong Kong en route ti supportin the Lions – no least Stuart Hogg – in Australia so as fer as A’m concerned ‘a day oot o Hawick’s no a day wasted’ but hevin hopefully enjoyed a great holiday – and a Lions win – A’ve got ‘the fairest spot o a’ and the best kith and kin in a’ the world ti come hame ti for as a minor Hawick song-writer, namely mei yince wrote:

“When on the street guid freends A see / Whae’ll stop and pass the time wi me / There’s naewhere A wad rither be / Than Hawick ma Border hame.”

Ian is a former teacher at Hawick High School; a stalwart of all things Hawick and a crafted after -dinner speaker much sought after across the Borders.

A devastating spell of swing and seam bowling from Galashiels dismissed West Lothian II for just 30 in Saturday’s East Two League match.

Playing at Linlithgow, Scott Paterson was first to strike, removing Whitton with his first ball, and the procession of West Lothian batsmen continued as the Gala strike bowlers shared all 10 wickets between them as the visitors were bowled out by the 17th over.

Paterson ended with 5 for 13 and Kris Mein 5 for 14.

The pair were assisted by some excellent catching behind the bat, with Graeme Ormiston taking two catches at first slip and Stevie Halls two in the gully.

Credit must also be given to West Lothian, who continued their innings through some squally showers and were quick to return to the pitch as soon as the one heavy shower that caused an interruption had passed.

In reply, Gala lost two wickets in chasing down their target in eight overs.

First Stevie Halls (8) drove a Ronalson full toss to mid-off then David Boland (6) was caught in the gully off Strachan, but Duncan Millar and Kris Mein saw Gala home with no further mishap.

West Lothian II

A. Whitton, c Ormiston b Paterson0

J. Strachan, lbw b Paterson1

J. Miller, c S Halls b Mein0

G. McNab, lbw b Paterson5

K. Smith, b Mein2

C. Ronalson, c Ormiston b Paterson7

J. Smith, b Mein1

A. Gurr, c S Halls b Paterson2

A. Newman, b Mein5

D. Brown, b Mein1

B. Kilpatrick, not out2

Extras4

Total all out30

Gala

S. Halls, c Miller b Ronalson9

D. Boland, c Kilpatrick b Strachan6

D. Millar, not out8

K. Mein, not out7

Extras1

Total for 231

Elsewhere last week, Gala Under-13s were bundled out of the Scottish Cup by a good Carlton side at Peffermill.

After putting on a good total of 124, the home side ripped through the Gala batting line-up, with only three batsmen, Finlay Rutherford, who batted through the innings for 23 not out, Jamie Crooks and Chris Bell troubling the scorers as the visitors were bowled out for 57.

Earlier, Charlie Edwardson and Rutherford had bowled a tight opening spell, but the Gala lads were unable to contain the home batting line-up for long. Rutherford and Kerr Halls both picked up two wickets for Gala, while Edwardson took one wicket in an economical spell.

DEFENCE of the Border 20/20 started for Gala with a comfortable nine-wicket win over Hawick and Wilton at Meigle Park.

Batting first, the visitors were always on the back foot with Scott Paterson picking up three early wickets as he and fellow opener Kris Mein conceded just 14 runs between them.

There was little let-up when Dean Moir (2 for 12) and Neil Crooks (1 for 11) were brought into the attack.

Only Allan Moffat gave any serious resistance, with 42, as a brief flurry pushed Hawick into the 60s. However, the dismissal of Moffat by Ormiston ensured a sedate end to the innings as Hawick limped to 66 for 9.

With Stevie Halls off, Gala took the chance to promote Graeme Ormiston to open with David Boland and after a cautious start, the pair took them to within five runs of victory when Boland missed a straight ball from Bryant and departed for a well made 37.

Skipper for the evening Duncan Millar then strolled to the crease to hit the winning runs and see Gala home with just over five overs to spare.

KELSO collected their second league win in as many weeks with a 45-run victory over Broomhall at Shedden Park.

Despite some heavy downpours, the Tweedsiders batted steadily, but lost wickets on a regular basis.

The mainstay of the innings was captain Dougie Wilson, who batted through the innings for 88 not out.

In reply, Kelso kept it tight with Stewart Cessford and Jason Gibson restricting Broomhall to 15 from 10.

Five quick wickets from the Davidson brothers, along with a run out from Thomas Roberts, sealed Broomhall’s fate.

A COMFORTABLE away victory against Broomhall II saw Hawick and Wilton notch their sixth win on the bounce.

Captain Allan Moffat won the toss and chose to bowl first, with rain forecast for later.

The hosts made a steady start, but Pierce Solley made the breakthrough with Stuart Hair and Gary Alexander also in the wickets. The latter removed the opening batsman for 42, thanks to a sharp one-handed catch by Declan Solley.

Ronan Alexander removed the late-order batsman, clean bowled, before Pierce Solley took the final wicket with a deceptive slower ball.

The visitors got off to a slow start with openers Gary Alexander and Declan Solley finding runs hard to come by as the rain started. They were both removed in quick succession, with Phil MacTaggart following soon after, leaving the Teries in a spot of bother.

But Euan Hair and Pierce Solley steadied the ship, with Hair hitting a huge six before falling for 22. Neil Storey came to the crease and knocked off the runs with Solley ,who finished 34 not out in a solid innings.

MORE than 60 primary schoolchildren took part in a kwik cricket tournament at Galashiels this month.

Eight local teams from Balmoral, St Peters and Burgh schools travelled up to Meigle Park on a glorious morning to compete.

Boys and girls took part in the fun competition, having had coaches visit the schools in the run-up to the event.

Borders Sport and Leisure Trust helped co-ordinate the visits and the tournament, which saw Gala CC members score and umpire the competitive games.

Stevie Halls, chair of the Scottish Borders Junior Cricket Development Group, said: “We had perfect conditions for the festival, which was the culmination of a number of weeks of coaching within the schools in Galashiels.

“Hopefully, this is the first step towards these youngsters enjoying a long and enjoyable association with cricket.”

Junior training for primary school children takes place at Gala Cricket Club on Saturday mornings from 9.30am.

After being called off a month ago due to wet weather, the cricket sixes at Langholm went ahead in sunny conditions on Sunday.

The winners were the Rugby team who beat 999 in the final.

Rugby: Alasdair Scott, Jamie Ashton-Smith, Gregor Masterton, Jack Pool, Jordan Reid, Jason Ratcliffe.

Cricket chairman David Pool thanked everyone who helped make the day a success and captain Duncan Elliott presented the cup.

The teams who took part were the Mini Rugby Coaches, Buccleuch Estates, 999, The School, Legion Football, The Treeplanters, Rugby and Copshaw.

GALA CYCLING CLUB are inviting Borderers to saddle up for one of the most spectacular cycling events in the region.

Now entering its third year, the Braw Lads Baw Breaker will take place on Sunday and is open to riders of varying ability.

The ride takes in some of the best local scenery and the club is anticipating a record entry.

The event offers 2 distances – 50 miles and 110 miles. Both routes cover some of the most challenging climbs in the Borders and there are four feed stops on the way so riders can recharge their batteries en route.

Starting in Galashiels, the cyclists roll along the quiet back roads to Innerleithen, Heriot, Stow and Langshaw before the two routes split.

More information about the routes and how to enter can be found through Gala CC website www.galacc.co.uk

Riders can also sign up on the day, with registration taking place between 7- 8.30am at the Focus Centre, Galashiels.

LOCAL cyclists have had a busy week taking part in the Border Trophy series with round one at the home of Kelso Wheelers where 40 riders took part.

The competition between Gala, Kelso and Berwick cycling clubs sees the riders race over a 10-mile course with the fastest 10 riders’ times combined to confirm the winners.

Round one was won by the Kelso Wheelers club, who had a very strong, fast team of riders and the advantage of racing at home. The fastest rider on the night was Harry Armstrong of Berwick Wheelers in 22 minutes and 17 seconds.

Berwick hosted the second round on Sunday when 36 riders took part.

Once again, Kelso were top team with a second series win for Harry Armstrong in 21.50. The final round will be held at Gala this week.

Also last week, Gala Cycling Club held a mid-season 5-mile TT.

The weather was good and so was the form as 23 riders took part. Fastest rider of the night was Alistair Meikle in 11 minutes 35 seconds, just 14 seconds ahead of Ian Pearson (11.49) and a fast-improving Simon Mills (12.03) completed the top three.

Next week, the racing moves to the Thursday (June 27 ), with a 25-mile TT race starting at 7pm.

Riders are asked to be early to sign and use a rear light during the race.

BORDERS swimming sensation Lucy Hope has been punching above her weight again – scooping two Scottish senior titles, writes Fiona Scott.

The 16-year-old from Kelso was competing at the 2013 Scottish Gas National Open Swimming Championships at Tollcross International Swim Centre last week and took the gold medal in the Women’s Open 200m backstroke in a time of 2.14.42 to claim both the Scottish Open and Scottish Junior (under-16) Championship titles.

She also took the silver in the 100m backstroke (1.03.29) and again lifted both titles as the winner was a non-Scottish national. The times made Lucy third all-time open Scottish female for both events.

Lucy also picked up a bronze medal in the 100m freestyle and clocked up three more Scottish Junior titles and a host of records in various other events.

It must be something in the water at Kelso ASC because Lucy’s clubmate Ryan Brown, 15, took the Scottish Junior Championship in the Men’s Open 200m butterfly among his many achievements at the meet.

Also representing their clubs and the Borders Elite Swim Team (BEST) were Kirsty Armstrong, Lizi Clelland, Rob Czajka, Jenny Adams (Kelso); Beth Johnston (Gala); Gregor Swinney and Kathryn Swinney (Peebles).

These team members did well to qualify and raced impressively throughout to achieve a good number of places and PB’s.

BEST placed 13th on the team point score, a great achievement considering this was a senior meet and their most senior team member is only 16 years old.

Recently-retired pro rugby player James King is set to make a comeback in the area where he learned his trade, writes Fiona Scott.

The 27-year-old centre turned pro straight out of Berwick High School and made his debut for the Border Reivers as an 18-year-old. When that club was closed down by the SRU, he played in New Zealand and then Italy, with L’Aquila, before returning to Scotland and rejoining Melrose.

After a few months out of the game he returned and was quickly snapped up by Edinburgh. However, after just two seasons in the capital, King has been released, and, after struggling with a groin injury, has decided to use his experience in more of a coaching capacity.

King is joining forces with another promising young talent who has similarly been released by Edinburgh due to lengthy battles with injury, 26-year-old lock Steve Turnbull. The pair are launching a series of summer camps, starting in Galashiels, across the country under the banner of “Pro’s Life.”

Talking to The Southern about his new venture, King said: “We are both keen to stay involved in the game. Obviously, being from the Borders I wanted to come to the area and run a camp giving kids the chance to experience pro rugby with input from professional players and coaches.”

King believes that a big focus on fun and enjoyment is one of the most important aspects of playing sport and the camp itself will be a unique experience, designed to show the kids everything involved in a normal day’s training. There will be everything from rugby-specific sessions through to nutrition clinics where the duo will be portraying a key message of healthy living.

“The attendees will have the opportunity to get an insight into what the best professional rugby players in the country eat for dinner,” explained King.

“They will receive the favourite recipes from players such as Kelly Brown, Lee Jones and many more.”

King and Turnbull have already visited Galashiels Academy and will be going to other schools throughout the Borders over the next month.

“The feedback we got at Galashiels was great and there have been a number of sign-ups already,” added King.

Pro’s Life will be at Netherdale, Galashiels, on July 8 for six days. Monday to Wednesday will be open to 13 to 15-year-olds and Thursday to Saturday for 10 to 12-year-olds.

There will be a limited number of places available.

Visit www.proslife.co.uk or emailinfo@proslife.co.uk for further information and bookings.

Galashiels footballer Ellie Fairgrieve scored the winner for Hibs under-15 girls in the SWF South East League Cup final.

Hibs beat a strong Falkirk side 2-1 in a closelycontested final. After going in 1-1 at the break, Fairgrieve struck in the second half to secure victory.

Hibs are so far unbeaten in their league campaign, having won six out of six matches, but face Spartans this weekend.

Fairgrieve is the daughter of George, who enjoyed a spell at Raith Rovers before playing for several East of Scotland League sides.

Earlston-based football veteran Ali McCulloch has returned triumphant, and more than a little humbled, from the Seniors Football World Cup.

The 50-year-old competed as part of Alan McTurk’s 22-man Scotland squad who won the third-place trophy, having come seventh and fifth in 2011 and 2012 respectively, in the main 11-aside event as well as winning the preceding five-a-side 50 and Over Masters title.

The event was started to help support the Thai people who were so badly devastated by the 2004 tsunami and has become a symbol of how football can bring joy, happiness and much-needed business revenue to the local area. Ali described his trip as truly memorable with many emotions, from humility to the satisfaction of representing Scotland and winning the masters event as well as capturing third spot in the Seniors World Cup.

“It was a truly amazing experience and one which will stay in my memory for a very long time,” he told TheSouthern.

“The Thai people have a genuine sense of friendship which they offer out to anyone and everyone.

“The football was brilliant and it made me fall back in love with playing which, as you move into coaching and managing, can be lost as you become immersed in delivering training and tactics, or teaching technical stuff.

“I prefer playing and hope I can continue to play as long as possible.

“Well done to all of the boys, including the physios and doctors, who kept us going during the 10-day trip.”

Also as part of the visit Ali and the team carried out coaching sessions for local schoolchildren, handing out gear which was donated to the team before they embarked on the trip.

Scottish coaches Alan McTurk and Paul Donnelly used the Masters event to acclimatise the players in preparation for the main tournament.

Scotland put a 40+ and 50+ team into the competition, with the younger side being narrowly beaten in the final by Australian team Bondi.

Ali and the 50+ side, however, managed to triumph in their event for the first time by overcoming the Bondi 50s team in an extremely hard-fought final.

The Seniors World Cup event proved to be a very arduous journey for the squad, with qualification through the group stages coming at a high price after five players were ruled out through injury.

With only two qualifying spots available, the Scotland players found themselves in what had become known as the group of death, along with New Zealand, the much-fancied Australians and title defenders Iran. The opening game against Australia proved pivotal with a hard-earned, no-scoring draw.

Next was Iran who demonstrated why they were the pre-tournament favourites by beating Scotland 2-1 in a very close match. The last qualifying matches saw Scotland needing to beat New Zealand, and Australia having to dump Iran by a lesser margin to qualify.

Scotland won 3-1 with Stevie Tosh scoring a hat-trick before Australia turned the form book on its head by defeating a much-weakened Iran. But Australia could only win 2-1 which meant Scotland made the knock-out stages for the first time since taking part in the competition three years ago.

The semi-finals saw Scotland pitted against the host nation Thailand who had come out as group winners. The Scots played incredibly well and took the lead through Barry Wilson but the agile Thailand team pulled one back before half-time.

The temperature and conditions were taking their toll and the hosts, who were not suffering as much, scored on 83 minutes to put the tie beyond the Scots, leaving them to face Taiwan in the play-off where goals from Charlie Brown and Davy Scott helped secure third place. Iran beat Thailand in the final 2-1 to regain the trophy.

Scotland Seniors squad: James Kellacher, Ian McCaldon, Ali McCulloch, Graham Buckley, Davy Scott, Stevie Tosh, Graeme Robertson, Colin Wallace, Davy Sneddon, Grant Fairley, Stevie McIlhone, Billy McPhee, Gordon Connolly, Barry Wilson, Charlie Brown, Charlie Christie, Jason Dair, Stevie McMahon, Stevie Marlow, Gary Clark, Ian Weir, Ian Heddle, Scott Lumsdaine, Martin Tierney, Tommy Lowrie, Alex Cunningham, Alan McTurk (player/co-manager), Paul Donnelly (co-manager), Ian Dutia (physiotherapist).

A total of 150 vintage vehicles took part in the Jimmie Guthrie Memorial Run on Sunday.

In its 52nd year, enthusiasts left Denholm and visited the Guthrie Statue in Hawick.

Organiser Jimmy Steel said: “It was a super day and the village green was packed with spectators.” Winners: Jimmie Guthrie Cup – G. Stevenson (Newcastle), 1930 Sunbeam; Mary Steel Rosebowl – C. Robertson (Ancrum), 1987 A.C Cobra.