Riddell Fiddles showed a clean pair of heels yesterday morning as they jetted off for an 18-day tour of Canada.

A total of 18 members of the Argus Centre folk group were presented with new polo shirts by Buccleuch Cleaners as they prepared to leave for Nova Scotia.

And among the highlights of the near-three week stay will be a 12 hour fiddle-a-thon with 400 other fiddlers from across the vast North American country.

The tour will focus on the Nova Scotian island of Cape Breton, with the Souters having previously travelled there in 2006.

That was followed by a return visit to Selkirk from the Cape Breton contingent in 2008.

Sheila Sapkota of the Riddell Fiddles told the Wee Paper: “Whilst there, we will study Cape Breton fiddling and Stepdance at the Gaelic College in St Ann’s as well undertaking a series of concerts at the Scottish Day on Iona and run a ceilidh at the Celtic Tea Rooms in Baddeck.

“Keeping the Scottish theme going, we will also stop at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum and in between it we hoped to fit in a whale watching trip - without fiddles - and a sailing trip, with the fiddles.”

The trip will conclude when the Selkirk musicians take part in the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association’s 75th anniversary, which will see them perform from 2pm to 2am alongside hundreds of others, before leaving for Scotland from Halifax on August 17.

The group’s repertoire for their numerous performances will include tunes by Borders tunesmiths past and present, including Bob Hobkirk, Ian Lowthian, Donald Knox, Lori Watson and the late Tom Hughes.

Sheila, who took a group to the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention in Ireland last year, added: “We have to thank Allan Hogg of Buccleuch Cleaners for the new shirts, made at very short notice by Max Yarns.

“The group would also like to thank Sainsbury’s in Kelso, and Morrison’s in Hawick as well as Kelso Farmer’s market for their support as well as all the individuals who have attended our various events over the past year.

“The pop-up shop initiative helped us, as have Melrose Community Council and Scottish Borders Council.”

Riddell Fiddles will be back on stage at the Flodden 500 concert on September 7 and St James’ Fair the next day.

And the new term starts again on September 15 with a 10-year anniversary party lunch at the Argus Centre.

Saturday at the bicentenary Border Union Show at Kelso was a good day for the Douglas family of Catslackburn, Selkirk.

Not only did they win the sheep interbreed title for the first time at the region’s biggest agricultural event, they went on to take the champion of champions with their South Country Cheviot ewe.

David Douglas said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. I’m over the moon – it’s great.”

It’s the first season the three-crop ewe, which is nursing twins at home and is by a home-bred ram, has been shown.

The father-and-son team of Norman and David farm 2,700 acres, running 1,000 Cheviots (South Country), 1,000 Lairg- type Cheviots, 400 Blackface, 100 Texels, 50 Suffolks and 240 suckler cows.

Asked what he thought judges liked, Norman said: “She’s an exceptional ewe, she’s got breed character, she’s got good legs and skin, and she’s quite big – she’s got a bit of substance about her.”

Andrew and Gillian McCowan, Horncliffe Mains, Berwick, took second top spot with their thoroughbred cross bay gelding, Irish Squire, this year’s hunter reserve champion.

Gillian said: “I’m very pleased. It is the first time Irish Squire, a former finalist at the Horse of the Year Show, has scooped prestigious prizes at the Border Union.”

Champion of champions judge and former Border Union chairwoman Marion Tilson said: “Judging the champion of champions is an impossible task – and a fantastic honour.

“The cockerel really catches the eye, the horse went round impeccably, but the sheep is just that bit special, she’s very correct, she’s very nice.”

The beef interbreed champion was an 18-month-old heifer from Gordon Brooke, Upper Huntlywood, Earlston, shown by Richard Rettie, which, earlier this year, was the reserve female champion at the Great Yorkshire and will be competing at Perth Show tomorrow and Saturday.

Clydesdale champion was the two-year-old filly, Pacemuir Marion Morrison, from D. J. Copland of Montgomery Place, Peebles.

Country Durham’s John Fletcher, with his two-year-old Netherland Dwarf, which has scooped about 10 best-in-show tickets this year so far, won best rabbit.

Taking the poultry honours was the show’s best bantam, David Taylor’s Dutch Gold cockerel from Hurlford, Ayrshire.

Champion goat was Montreaux Maziwamto, owned by Paul Mounter from Durham. The British Saanen was judged best dairy goat before taking the championship.

Border Union Agricultural Society secretary Ron Wilson said: “The show was absolutely wonderful.

“We were so lucky. We had 35mm of rain on Thursday, then Friday and Saturday were great.

“For a show that takes a year to organise, this one took two and all the extra elements – the Story of Wool, the River Tweed project, the plots (of several crops), the History of the Horse and the food were amazing.

“It all just fell into place and the great thing is they are all connected with the Tweed basin. All our people – directors, security, stewards, everyone – worked very hard.”

Mr Wilson continued: “The gate was up on both Friday and Saturday.”

He felt PR and advertising backing from Event Scotland and Scottish Borders Council helped

He said: “The standard of livestock is immense. The mood among farmers is a sight better than it was this time last year.”

Mr Wilson added: “Farming is still feeling the repercussions of the horrendous year we had last year. A lot of winter crops were ploughed out and had to be resown, but farmers are very resilient and will bounce back to whatever normality is.”

BERWICK BANDITS’ Premier League meeting at Scunthorpe last night was curtailed to 11 of the 15 heats as a serious crash resulted in Ricky Ashworth leaving the stadium in a blue-light ambulance.

Ryan Douglas and David Howe made the Heat 11 gate with Bandit David Bellego storming round both Scorpions off bend two. Ashworth then squeezed past Howe but Howe’s chain came adrift causing the Scorpion to grind to a halt.

Ashworth then powered up to get on terms with Douglas on the fourth bend of the third lap but overcooked his manoeuvre, lost control and smashed heavily into the safety fence on the home straight past the point where the air fence runs out.

The paramedics were instantly on the scene and proceeded to administer medical treatment for the Bandit, placing him on a backboard for precautionary measures and loaded the Berwick favourite into the ambulance which then immediately left the stadium with the full paramedic staff accompanying Ashworth on his way to the local hospital.

The meeting was abandoned immediately with the score standing at 34-31 to the hosts, although no one was especially bothered as all thoughts were with the injured Ashworth.

Berwick’s team manager Ian Rae was naturally shocked saying: “We know very little about Ricky’s situation or condition at the present time but he’s with the medical staff who are working with him to make sure he’s comfortable and make a start on recovery.

“The best people are with him and we wish him well and will report more to our fans as the news is released via our media outlets and the club website.

“All at Berwick Speedway wish Ricky all the very best.”

Prior to the drama the meeting began with Ashworth shot from the Heat One gate along side his partner David Bellego but the forceful Josh Auty split the Bandits coming out of bend two but it was the Border travellers who took the early lead 2-4.

Lewis Blackbird and Ryan Douglas put Scunthorpe back into the driving seat after a solid Heat Two maximum although Nicki Barrett and Paul Starke did make a go of it at the back but failed to hold their points with the Scorpions now leading 7-5.

11-7 down after the third, Berwick skipper Kozza Smith made no errors from the gate as he shot off to lead well and take the three points from David Howe, but with Starke at the back the heat could only be shared 3-3.

Bellego and Ashworth gated in Heat Five’s re-run but Nicolai Klindt shot round Ashworth to split the Bandits until he took a line way too wide on bend four to allow the Bandits number one to regain second and score a 1-5 to level the scores at 15-15.

Robin Aspegren and Mathew Wethers took another Berwick 1-5 from the gate in Heat Seven with a brief challenge from Howe on Wethers coming to nothing and shooting the Bandits into the lead 20-22.

Thomas Joregensen made a great gate to win Heat Eight over Bellego in a 4-2 to level the scores at 24-all, but Klindt and Douglas surrounded Smith in a home 4-2 in the Ninth to put Scunthorpe back into the lead 28-26.

Josh Auty was strong from Heat 10’s gate and took a comfortable three points with Aspegren taking second after a hard battle from Jorgensen in third to extend the home lead to 32-28 before the final heat 11 took to the track.

Seventeen members of the Melrose Literary Society enjoyed their visit to the James Hogg Exhibition in Ettrick School last month.

The showcase is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 2-5pm until the end of September.

BERWICK BANDIT Ricky Ashworth remains under close observation in the Hull Neurological Intensive care unit following his horrific crash at Scunthorpe on Friday night.

A scan has shown that there are no broken bones in his neck which had been a concern earlier on.

For the time being the medical staff are maintaining his unconscious state in order to keep him as relaxed as possible so they can observe and monitor his condition and give his system the best of chances to kick-start his road to recovery.

Berwick New Holland Bandits 46 Edinburgh Scotwaste Monarchs 44

Premier League

TWENTY FOUR hours previous Berwick Bandits lost their number one rider Ricky Ashworth in a major crash, which confined him to a hospital bed, but the show had to go on.

On Saturday night the Bandits’ welcomed the Edinburgh Monarchs in what was always going to be a tough match, but with renewed determination they went into the match keen to get a result for their stricken colleague.

Team manager Ian Rae said: “We spoke to the lads after the Scunthorpe match and they wanted to race tonight and dedicate their performances to Ricky. And what a performance it was!”

Craig Cook made a stunning gate in Heat One to take a solid three points despite David Bellego catching him up throughout the race in he eventual 3-3, but a huge win by Paul Starke in Heat Two coupled with a battling third from Nicki Barrett who took the point from Mitchell Davey the 4-2 put Berwick 7-5 up.

A broken chain for the leading Matthew Wethers caused the Bandit to come to a sudden halt on the last lap allowing Jozsef Tabaka and Theo Pijper through to take a full visitors’ maximum 1-5 to leapfrog the Monarchs in to the lead 8-10.

Claus Vissing made easy work of the gate in Heat four, but Smith behind roared back from last to pass Sneddon off bend two and almost took the three points, just missing out on passing Vissing on the run to the finish line in an Edinburgh Monarchs 2-4, pushing their advantage to 10-14.

The fast Cook took Heat Five with consummate ease and again a 4-2 was recorded with Max Fricke taking third to extend the Monarchs’ lead to 12-18, before both Wethers and Bellego shot round either side of Vissing off bend two in Heat Six to briefly form a Bandit’s 5-1, but flying down the back straight Vissing came back under Wethers for a home 4-2 narrowing the gap to 16-20.

Following a shared Heat Seven Bellego had Heat Eight comfortably in his grasp for three points but at the back Starke fell on the third bend of the second lap to stop the race which was awarded a 3-3 taking the score to 22-26, but thankfully Starke got to his feet and was perfectly ok.

Vissing stood no chance in Heat Nine as Aspegren and Wethers dominated from the gate for a Berwick maximum to level the match 27-27 - followed by a second place for Aspegren behind a Bellego win as the Bandit road a brilliant outside pass round Tabaka to take another home maximum to take the score to 32-28 and put the Bandits back into the lead.

Two magnificent races took place in Heat 11 with Smith holding off a bristling Cook behind as Barrett did likewise behind ahead of Fricke in a home 4-2 widening the gap to six, with Aspegren and Pijper enjoying a fine ding-dong all through Heat 12 behind Sneddon which ended an away 2-4 and the match was still on a knife-edge 38-34.

Bellego and Smith blocked Vissing from the gate in Heat 13 and just let Cook go to make sure that only a share of the spoils could be got, and the 3-3 took the score to 41-37, whilst an engine failure for Barrett in Heat 14, won well by Tabaka over Wethers meant going into the final race the score was 43-41.

Smith and Bellego took on Cook and Tabaka in the deciding race with the Bandits’ pairing squeezing Tabaka to third with Cook unexpectedly not on song, but an error from Smith on the second lap allowed Cook through to draw the race and give the Bandits a narrow win 46-44.

“Ricky will be very proud of his lads once he comes round and catches up on events, very proud indeed, as we all were of them tonight,” added Rae.

There were three hundreds made this week, but only one being on the winning side.

Greg Fenton scored an unbeaten 117 to keep Selkirk at the top of East League Division Five.

The two losing centurions came in Division Three, where Dougie Wilson struck 111 not out as Kelso were defeated at home to SMRH by five wickets.

Ross McLennan scored 120 in vain as Melrose were edged out by eight runs away to Edinburgh CC in Division Seven.

Elsewhere St Boswells suffered a seven wicket loss in Division One against Edinburgh Accies, Richard Young top scoring with 25.

Gala remain top of Division Two with a convincing 108 run victory over Heriots 2nds with Scott Paterson taking seven wickets.

Hawick & Wilton kept their slim hopes of promotion alive with a comfortable victory against Murrayfield DAFS, Allan Moffat scoring 62 and Lee Stewart taking four wickets.

The developers of a wind farm given the thumbs down by councillors on Monday has said they are ‘extremely disappointed’ with the decision.

The Brunta Hill scheme for eight 100m-high turbines near Westruther was unanimously rejected by councillors.

Gemma Hamilton, project development manager for PNE Wind, said: “We are extremely disappointed by this decision today.

“Considerable effort has gone into the design of the proposed Brunta Hill wind farm to ensure that the renewable energy potential of this site is maximised, whilst minimising the landscape and environmental effects on the surrounding area.”

She added: “We maintain our position that this is an acceptable scheme and following detailed examination of the council’s decision we will explore what further options are available in order to progress this development.”

For full report see this week’s Southern Reporter

Police are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road collision involving four cars between Lauder and Greenlaw yesterday afternoon.

A 59-year-old man died in the crash and three others were injured at around 3.30pm on the A697 road at the hamlet of Houndslow.

The man who died was driving a Kia Sorento northbound, when he was in collision with a Vauxhall Combo van, which was travelling southbound. The Kia Sorento then crashed into a Vauxhall Vectra, also travelling southbound.

Police are appealing for witnesses of a vehicle which may not have stopped at the time of the collision.

The driver and the front seat passenger of the Vauxhall Combo van, and the driver of the Vauxhall Vectra were taken to hospital.

The road was closed for seven-and-a-half hours as a result of the crash.

Police Sergeant Brian Jones said: “A man sadly died at the scene and three others were injured.

“An investigation is underway in order to establish the circumstances, and we are keen to trace the driver of a car which may have been at the scene at the time of the collision.

“We are appealing to any witnesses to contact Police Scotland on 101.”

IT was the greatest round ever in the 118-year history of Torwoodlee Golf Club in Galashiels.

Simon Fairburn smashed the course record when he recorded an incredible 61 - eight under par - score at Tuesday’s stroke competition.

The previous record was held by Stevie Lamb from Peebles in 2005 when he shot 63 although it has been equalled since by a couple of members.

But 21-year-old Simon could even afford the luxury of a bogey at the 9th and recording three pars in the final three holes on his way to setting the new record over the 6,000 yard long course which is a par 69.

Competitions secretary Colin Shanks said:”It is an incredible achievement.

“Simon is an awesome striker of the ball.

“It was one of those rounds where everything went for him even allowing for his bogey at the par four ninth.

“The round has been the talk of the clubhouse and people want to see the scorecard.”

Mr Shanks said the plan was to get the scorecard framed so it can hang on the clubhouse wall.

Simon from Abbotsford Road, Galashiels, - who plays off one and represented Scotland at under 18 level - recorded six birdies in a row at the very start of his round and shot 29 going outward.

He took 32 on the way back in to break the course record by two shots. In all his round had nine birdies.

Simon, who was partnered by Colin Lawrie during his record breaking round, said: “It was when I sank a 25 yard putt from off the green to birdie the fifth hole which is the toughest at Torwoodlee that I thought something was on.

“I birdied the first six holes and everything just seem to be falling into place.

“Obviously I am delighted and it’s something I always wanted to achieve. It is right up there among my career highlights so far.”

The first ever Scottish Youth Hostel Association facility at Broadmeadows is to be sold, it has been revealed today.

The Yarrow Valley building has been fighting the threat of closure for 18 months but the SYHA will now look to sell the building, which has been a hostel since 1931.

It leaves only Kirk Yetholm, which is affiliated but not run by SYHA, as the only hostel left in the region.

Borders MP Michael Moore said: “It’s very sad to hear that the SYHA have decided to sell the youth hostel at Broadmeadows even after having worked with local groups to try to find alternatives to closure.

“SYHA said that they reached this decision because numbers have declined even further at the hostel, so it is no longer able to cover its costs.

“The closure is especially sad because Broadmeadows was the first youth hostel in the whole of Scotland.

“They are now hoping to sell the youth hostel, preferably as an affiliate hostel, similar to what was achieved at Kirk Yetholm last year.

“I am therefore urging local groups and/or businesses to come forward if they are interested in taking on this hostel so that low-cost accommodation for visitors can still be provided in the area.”

The first ever Scottish Youth Hostel Association facility, sited at Broadmeadows, is to be sold, writes Kenny Paterson.

The Yarrow Valley building has been fighting the threat of closure for 18 months but the SYHA will now look to sell the building, which has been a hostel since 1931.

It leaves Kirk Yetholm, which is affiliated but not run by SYHA, as the only hostel left in the region.

Borders MP Michael Moore said: “It’s very sad to hear that the SYHA have decided to sell the youth hostel at Broadmeadows even after having worked with local groups to try to find alternatives to closure.

“SYHA said that they reached this decision because numbers have declined even further at the hostel, so it is no longer able to cover its costs.

“The closure is especially sad because Broadmeadows was the first youth hostel in the whole of Scotland.

“They are now hoping to sell the youth hostel, preferably as an affiliate hostel, similar to what was achieved at Kirk Yetholm last year.

“I am therefore urging local groups and/or businesses to come forward if they are interested in taking on this hostel so that low-cost accommodation for visitors can still be provided in the area.”

Efforts were made to revitalise Broadmeadows last year, as occupancy rates reached only 13 per cent during the summer of 2011.

Melrose’s youth hostel closed in 2012, as did Kirk Yetholm’s before it was purchased as a going concern.

David Bogie and Hawick co-driver Kevin Rae increased their lead in the ARR Craib MSA Scottish Rally Championship on Saturday.

Competing on the McDonald and Munro Speyside Stages the four-times Scottish title holders notched a 17-second victory over Duns rival Euan Thorburn.

Banchory’s Quintin Milne snatched the final podium spot in his Mitsubishi EVO 9.

Thorburn, also in a Focus, and co-driven by Paul Beaton from Inverness, rued what might have been: “We came here to win, but it’s not been an easy event for us,” he said.

“We’ve had problems all day with the damper, and it’s been under-steering a fair bit. We got some time back from David during the afternoon stages and were fastest through two of them, but it wasn’t enough.

“We’ll try to keep pushing, but there are only three rounds left, so we’re running out of time.”

Jedburgh co-driver Dave Robson helped guide Aberdeen’s Dave Weston to a hard-earned fifth place behind the wheel of a Paul Benn Ford Focus WRC.

Among the 2WD competitors, Leitholm’s Kieran Renton, with Carin Logan of Kelso on the notes, took top honours in the 1600cc category in their Ford Fiesta R2. The result means the pair now lead the drivers’ and co-drivers’ standings in the class, with three rounds remaining.

Callum Atkinson from Lauder took second place in Class 3 in his Peugeot 205GTi, and also won the Ecosse 205 Challenge.

It is a path Galashiels footballer Danny Galbraith took on the way to the way to earning a contract with Manchester United, writes Kenny Paterson.

And on Tuesday, 20 youngsters taking part in the Borders Sports Academy got the chance to train alongside SPL side Hearts in what is hoped will be the first step towards becoming a professional.

Borders Sport and Leisure Trust coaches Drew Kelly and Lee Makel set up the trip, which involved a coaching session with Hearts coach Darren Murray.

Kelly said: “Initally, Darren was going to come down here, but we decided to go up there instead and give them the experience of being a professional.

“Darren is recognised as a top coach, and he allowed us to watch a training session with the under-19s Hearts squad.

“They stayed over in the Halls of Residencies and trained all week, so it is giving them the chance to see what it is like as a professional and give them something to aspire to.”

The young footballers, aged 13, who took part in the academy have also been selected for the Borders development squad.

Attending the Sports Academy while being picked for the development group is the same route that former Hibs midfielder Galbraith took, as did ex-Raith Rovers man Andrew Cook, while Innerleithen graduate Steven Notman and Ross Campbell spent time at Easter Road.

The new young hopes of Borders football were given skills development and training sessions at the Netherdale 3G Arena in Galashiels for the remainder of the week with Cowdenbeath coach Makel.

The footballers were amongst 80 young people selected for their talent to participate in the Borders Sports Academy, which ended yesterday.

Coach Kelly added: “One of the aims of the Scottish Borders Sports Academy is to give talented athletes an opportunity to experience what it is like to train and prepare at the highest level.”

Battling Hamish Brandon, pictured second from left, overcame the odds at Castle Combe at the weekend to rack up the points in the 2013 MINI Challenge.

Bridge of Allan Highland Games results

90m Open: 1, C. Bruce (Selkirk); 2, M. Douglas (Jedburgh); 3, Ryan Calder (Central Ac). 90.40.

200m Open: 1, I. Douglas (Selkirk); 2, B. Martin (Glenrothes); 3, M. Douglas (Jedburgh). 20.36.

400m Open: 1, M. Paterson (Central Ac); 2, B. Martin (Glenrothes); 3, A. Thompson (Jedburgh). 49.92.

800m Open: 1, W. Mcgown (Sauchie); 2, A. Thomson (Jedburgh); 3, G. Turner (Campbelltown). 53.61.

1,600m Open: 1, C. Rankin (Kilbarchan); 2, C. Welsh (Kelso); 3, C. Robertson (Pitreavie Ac). 4.20.02.

3,200m Open: 1, D. Scott (Hawick); 2, W. Mcintosh (Kelso); 3, C. Robertson (Pitreavie Ac). 10.10.48.

90m Invitation: 1, D. Rae (Hawick); 2, J. Sinclair (Kilbarchan); 3, E. Dyer (Pitreavie Ac). 9.70.

90m Youths (10-12): 1, B. Cowan (Jedburgh); 2, N. Turnbull (Peebles); 3, A. Bambrick (Jedburgh) 9.72.

90m Youths (13-15): 1, E. Huxley (Innerleithen); 2, R. Mcintosh (Inverness Harriers); 3, R. Wicks (Leithenburn). 9.90.

200m Youths (10-12): 1, B. Cowan (Jedburgh); 2, A. Bambrick (Jedburgh); 3, L. Mclean (Peebles). 23.68.

200m Youths (13-15):

1, R. Mcintosh (Inverness Harriers); 2, R. Houten (Cadrona); 3, E. Thomas (Selkirk). 23.84.

400m Youths (10-12): 1, C. Angus (Leithenburn); 2, S. Bates (Tullibody); 3, C. Mcintosh (Inverness Harriers). 54.46.

400m Youths (13-15):

1, K. Halliday (Central Ac); 2, R. Mcintosh (Inverness Harriers); 3, R. Wicks (Leithenbu4rn) 54.36.

800m Youths (10-12): 1, C. Angus (Leithenburn); 2, C. Mcintosh (Inverness Harriers); 3, J. Amos (Jedburgh). 1.58.50.

800m Youths (13-15): 1, Z. Aziz (Selkirk); 2, R. Britton (Leithenburn); 3, S. Yates (Jedburgh). 2.01.80.

Bowling

Abbotsford

Selkirk were the visitors last week and the game was closely contested before Abbotsford pulled away and eventually won 98-71. The Seniors also recorded a good win against Jedburgh.

The Invitation Rinks tournament took place on Sunday and, after the group stages, it was four home rinks who progressed to the semi-finals.

In the final, Tommy Mann’s rink got off to a good start against Brian Anderson and never looked back, winning 10-4. The club would like to thank the tournament sponsors Rhymer Construction Ltd, House of Hearing and John W Hardie.

Hawick

The seniors entertained Melrose/Earlston and, after having suffered a heavy defeat on the previous encounter, Hawick turned the tables and recorded a good 57-45 win.

The A team travelled to Innerleithen for a top-of-the-league challenge against St Ronans. The game was very close with Hawick emerging winners by 73- 67.

The B team played host to Gala B on a very damp night and, playing with a man short, there was added pressure on the home side. The result was a win for the Buccleuch Road side by 59-54.75.

Saturday saw the club play their first Past Presidents tournament. This event was sponsored by the family of the late Ernie Taddei, 1961 president, and was played in a round robin format. After a good day’s bowling the final was contested by the G. Lyall and M. Christy rinks, the latter emerging winners by 10- 8.

Newtown

On Saturday, the triple of Dorris Knight, Sandra Somerville and Janette Corcoran won Gala Ladies Pairs after a closely-contested final.

The following day, the club had a triples competition and the winners were Sandra Thomson, Denis Lockett and Gary Craig.

Selkirk

The club hosted its annual Open Triples Tournament on Saturday, which was sponsored by Greens Ltd. The winning triple was H. Bell, R. Foulton and I. Bell.

On Sunday the Club Charity Triples, in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at the BGH, took place. The sum of £230 was raised and the winning triple consisted of I. Borthwick, S. Henderson and D. Wood.

Wilton

The A team travelled to take on Melrose in the third last league game of the season. The hosts, who are at the top of the league, started well and built on their lead throughout to win by 21 shots.

The B team were hosts to their counterparts from Kelso and this time it was the West Stewart Place players who built on their early advantage to win by a resounding 41 shots.

A party of bowlers made the journey to Edinburgh on Saturday to contest the second leg of the annual home and away fixture against Dudley.

Taking an advantage of 31 shots into this match, Wilton began well, but the hosts responded and managed to record an 18-shot win.

After adding the two scores together, however, Wilton retained the trophy by 13 shots.

Cycling

Galashiels CC

25-mile TT: 1, R. Laidlaw 57.36; 2, L. Parry 1.00.05; 3, N. Beard 1.00.28; 4, N. Shephard 1.01.28 pb; 5, J. Leask 1.01.55; 6, A. Pogson 1.03.13; 7, J. Stark 1.04.02; 8, A. Dawson 1.06.13; 9, B. Lowes 1.07.44; 10, C. Forsyth 1.08.46 pb; 11, D. McCudden 1.17.18 pb; 12, G. Murray 1.22.38 pb.

Private 10 mile TT: 1, A. Meikle 24.04; 2, S. Mills 24.24; 3, R. Martin 24.29 pb; 4, P. Anderson 26.21; 5, W. Mills 29.13; 6, J. Agnew 29.22; 7, T. Dawson 29.49.

On Monday a 10-mile TT starts at Abbotsford House car park and on Wednesday there will be a 25- mile TT, meeting at Tweedbank Industrial Estate. Racing gets under way at 7pm for both.

Golf

Galashiels

Wednesday Stroke: 1, J. Heath 78 (9) 69 BIH; 2, B. Currie 73 (4) 69.

Graham Cup: 1, J. Rigg 41 points; 2, J. Purves 40; 3=, A. Simpson jnr, J. Berthinussen, W. Morrison, N. Moffat 38.

Melrose

Lady Captain’s Prize: 1, J. Shirra-Gibb 87 (17) 70; 2, E. Crawford 108 (34) 74; 3, C. Dalgleish 95 (20) 75.

Nine hole comp: Winner, M. Hart.

August Clubhouse Competition: 1, M. W. Gillie 76 (10) 66; 2, L. Wallace 75 (2) 73; 3, K. Borthwick 83 (10) 73. Scratch: C. Chisholm.

Minto

Junior Stableford: 1, F. Towers 47 points; 2, F. Campbell 46; 3=, R. Latta, D. Murdoch 43.

Ladies’ Holiday Stableford: 1, S. James 37 points; 2, M. Bland 36; 3=, C. Allott, G. Carwright 34.

Margaret Donaldson Memorial Trophy Open Mixed Foursome: 1, A. von Ruben & Bruce Elliot (Minto) 88 (18) 70; 2, M. Johnston & Drew Minto (Minto) 90 (19) 71; 3, J. Elliot & R. Graham (Minto) 90 (18.5) 71.5 (after countback).

Medal (No 4) Silver division: Scratch, L. Moore 94; Handicap, L. Towers 85 (19) 66 (lowest gross). Bronze division: Scratch, A. Paterson 101; Handicap, S. James 100 (26) 74 (lowest gross).

Seniors match: West Linton 3.5 Minto 2.5.

St Boswells

After a day of showers the sun made a welcome appearance for the Susan Murdoch-sponsored junior match against Minto.

The overall winner was Jack McDonald from St Boswells with a score of 49 and the runner up was Mathew Klein, also from the host club with 46. The winning team was St Boswells, total score 347.

Ladies Peebles Memorial Invitation: 1, R. MacDonald & L. Wilson 81 (16) 65; 2, H. Rennie & A. Smith 88 (18) 70. Scratch; G Oliver & S Patterson 73.

Torwoodlee

Tuesday Stroke: 1, S. Fairburn 61 (0) 61 (new course record); 2, I. MacDonald 91 (19) 62; 3, C. MacDonald 75 (10) 65 bih.

J. A. Brown Seniors Competition: 1, M. Lindsay 81 (18) 63; 2, A. Bell 80 (15) 65 (bih); 3, S. Stenhouse 93 (28) 65. Scratch: J. Kelly 72.

The Woll

Tuesday Sweep: 1, D. Sherratt 84 (19) 65; 2, B. Charlton 95 (24) 71; 3, J. Mackenzie 81 (7) 74.

Medal (A Class): 1, R. Turnbull 77 (14) 63; 2, M. Willison 79 (10) 69; 3, J. Easdon 78 (8) 70. B Class: 1, R. McDougall 84 (19) 65; 2, B. Pettie 85 (19) 66; 3, T. Davies 92 (22) 70.

Tuesday Sweep: 1, A. Brunton 82 (13) 69; 2, B. Charlton 95 (24) 71; 3, J. Mackenzie 78 (7) 71.

Saturday Sweep: 1, R. McDougall 81 (17) 64; 2, K. McDougall 92 (21) 71; 3, M.Innes 90 (15) 75.

Homing

Earlston & District

Members sent 56 birds to the Westend Garage sponsored Towlaw race, liberated at 7.55am into a south-west wind.

Results: 1, 3, 4, W. Gray & Son 1307.87; 2, 5, 7, I. Gray 1305.74; 6, S. Hardie & Sons 1218.80; 8, 9, 10, S. Bain 1009.69; 11, H. Riddell 900.29.

Galashiels

Ten members sent 159 pigeons to Towlaw, a distance of 71 miles.

Results: 1, 2, 4, 6, J. Douglas 1102.510; 3, 5, 8, A. R. Lindores 1092.557; 7, J. Ramage 1083.650; 9, 10, W. Henderson 1045.362.

Langholm

The club liberated 118 young birds from Shap last Saturday over 46 miles in a south west wind.

The special prize donated by Keith Braban went to Derek Nordon.

Results: 1, 2, 3, D. Nordon 1495.241; 4, 5, 7, 8, R. V. Graham 1473.282; 6, A. Henderson 1458.073; 9, 10, W. Irving 1410.841.

Selkirk require just one point to secure promotion to Division Four, thanks to Greg Fenton’s unbeaten 117 which gave the Souters victory against Edinburgh South 2nds.

The Souters batted first, and although Tiwari picked up two wickets, including Darren Fenton who scored 35, the home side finished 243 for five, with Greg Fenton passing his ton.

Kenny Paterson picked up four wickets, with Johnson providing the only resistance for the visitors with 41, before becoming one of Jordan Reid’s three victims. Greg Fenton capped off a fine day with two wickets as South were all out for 104.

Dougie Wilson struck 111 not out for Kelso in Division Three, but the home side were defeated by SMRH 2nds by five wickets. This result leaves the Tweedsiders in mid-table with six wins and seven defeats.

Ross McLennan scored 120, but was also on the losing side as Melrose were edged out by Edinburgh CC by eight runs in Division Seven. Josh Loftus took three wickets, but it wasn’t enough to get them over the line.

St Boswells suffered another Division One loss, Richard Young top scoring with 25 in their seven wicket defeat to Edinburgh Accies.

After a three-week break, Langholm had dropped down to third place in the Eden Valley League Division Two, but defeated Stainton 2nds.

Stainton were reduced to 34 for three, with Duncan Elliott taking two wickets.

The bowling attack was taken up by Andrew Paisley and Steven Johnstone and the former dismissed Harrison for five, with the score on 43. Not to be outdone, Johnstone got in on the act and took two wickets.

Johnstone claimed his third victim, as Holiday reached 50 and Stainton finished on 120 from their 40 overs. 
Langholm found themselves a wicket down with no runs scored when Elliott was clean-bowled by Welch.

Gregor Park and Gregor Masterton began to repair the damage with the former to the fore and the score passed 50, but Gregor Park was then bowled by Graham for 41. Masterton hit several boundaries, including three sixes, but was eventually caught after a good knock of 58 as Langholm ran out victors by seven wickets.


Hawick and Wilton defeated Murrayfield DAFS 4ths by 107 runs, with Lee Stewart taking four wickets to keep their slim promotion hopes alive, writes Ronan Alexander.

Captain Allan Moffat won the toss and chose to bat, as Hawick got off to a steady start, before Gary Alexander was given out leg before for 20.

The Teries suffered a setback when Pierce Solley and Benny Hartop fell in quick succession.

This brought Phil MacTaggart to the crease, who steadied the ship with Moffat, before the latter fell for 62 off the bowling of Barton. As the Buccleuch Park men tried to up the ante, they lost wickets at key times, including MacTaggart, who was run out for a solid knock of 33.

Stuart and Euan Hair reached double figures, with 12 and 10 to their names.

Neil Storey finished unbeaten on 13 as the visitors posted 192 for eight from their 40 overs.

Hawick had their tails up, as they gave their all to remain in the promotion hunt. They got off to an excellent start, reducing the home side to 14 for six, with Stewart picking up three wickets in his first spell, Ronan Alexander taking two and Neil Storey claiming one.

Verma and Kumar fought back for the Edinburgh side, before the latter was Stewart’s fourth scalp of the match.

Hawick picked up the final three wickets in quick succession, including a run out for Neil Storey, and Stuart Hair getting his first of the game, with Verma unbeaten on 32 as DAFS were all out for 85.

Hawick still need Heriot’s to slip up to get back into second place in the table with three games remaining.

The bowling of Scott Paterson and Dinesh Tharanga ensured Gala remain top of Division Two and reached the President’s Trophy final.

Saturday saw Paterson remove seven Heriot’s 2nd XI batsmen in a devastating 10-over spell that cost just 18 runs, and was backed up by some excellent fielding from the home side with a number of good catches taken, including two stunning efforts behind the stumps by Duncan Millar.

Paterson also had great support from Tharanga, who bowled a miserly opening spell, while Kris Mein, given the wind at his back, bowled with pace and aggression that kept the Heriot’s top order on the back foot.

Both Tharanga and Mein picked up a wicket each while Dean Moir came on to claim the final wicket as the visitors were dismissed for 72, 108 runs short of their target.

The excellent effort in the field made up for an earlier below par performance with the bat. All the top five got in, but none carried on to make the significant contribution the conditions deserved, with captain Stevie Halls top-scoring with 43.

The final seven wickets went for only 37 runs, and Gala were unable to bat out their full 50 overs. Leg spinners Dutia did the damage for the visitors, picking up the last five wickets for 25 as Gala ended their innings on 180 all out.

This result leaves Gala top of the league with three games remaining, but still have Marchmont to play, who currently sit third in the table.

The following day, defending champions Gala had no difficulty in brushing aside an understrength Edinburgh side on a poor-quality wicket at the Meadows to reach the final of the President’s Trophy.

On being asked to bat, the home side were unable to deal with the quality of the Gala attack on a wicket with inconsistent bounce as they were bowled out for 53 in the 17th over.

Tharanga provided the greatest threat, picking up five for 22 in a fine eight-over spell.

Neil Crooks took his opportunity with the ball to clean up the home innings with three for four, while Mein overcame early no-ball troubles to take two for 23.

In reply, David Boland and Halls took a few overs to get used to the pitch, and were aided when opening bowler Haider had to go off injured, but once they had the measure of the pitch and the home attack, they cut loose as Gala reached their target in the 12th over.

Boland finished unbeaten on 23 and Halls 19, with the Braw Lads heading to Musselburgh on August 25 for the final.