A new countryside ranger based near Selkirk hopes to inspire a love of nature among the region’s children.

For Bowhill Estate’s countryside learning and engagement ranger, Rory Powell, will work closely with community groups and schools in the Selkirk area and encourage people to take advantage of the area’s wildlife and woodlands.

Rory said: “I’m very excited to have taken up the role at Bowhill and can’t wait to lead a range of outdoor activities. I plan to put together a new education booklet for 2014 so youngsters can have fun and have a valuable learning experience at the same time.

“I am also exploring the possibility of starting up wildlife and outdoors clubs for school children. I think it’s great for kids to have their own little piece of garden to look after as it sends out an important message about looking after the environment around you.”

The 28-year-old will be responsible for developing and leading a programme of outdoor activities as well as an external education programme.

The nature enthusiast told The Southern this week: “We’re starting to do the events planning for this summer and we’ve got some pretty interesting things lined up.”

One will be the holiday club for children, when they will be offered senses walks in the woods, bushcraft, den building and the chance to take part in the Creepy Crawly Commonwealth Games.

Rory is from Forres in the north east of Scotland, but moved to Edinburgh in 2003 to study marketing when he was 18.

After qualifying, he worked in customer service and the hospitality industry for four years before travelling around British Columbia and Vancouver Island in Canada for a year.

Returning in 2010, Rory moved to the Peak District National Park to study for his first-class honours degree in Adventure Tourism and Countryside Management.

Concerning his role, he said: “It’s fantastic, I’ve wanted to work in this field for a long time and it’s a dream opportunity to work at Bowhill.

“It’s a beautiful estate and fantastic company to work for.

“My dad was a field officer for a woodland charity, so I’ve grown up around it. I was very much a country boy – it’s back to doing what I should have been doing all along.

“I just like to be outdoors.”

A keen rock climber and mountain biker, Rory hopes to share his passion for energetic hobbies as well as participating in several community engagement initiatives, some of which are already under way.

Rory said: “I’m especially enjoying working with community groups and I’m hoping to get a volunteer programme up and running next year.

“At the moment, we have a group set up working with vulnerable adults and we’re planning to build up a relationship working with a local occupational therapist, too.

“We have opportunities for people to come along and work with wildlife on the grounds or carry out practical conservation work such as clearing woodland so I would urge anyone who is interested to get in touch.”

For more information about volunteering, contact Rory at rpowell@buccleuch.com or call 01750 22204.

And for more information on what’s on at Bowhill contact the office on 01750 22204, or visit www.bowhillhouse.co.uk

This week, enough of the seasonal frivolity. Time to get back to some proper, serious, smallholding issues.

Like pig muck and frozen finger ends. And chainsaws.

As the owners of two fallen trees (remember my near-death-by-falling-tree episode just before Chrimbo?), chainsaws have become a hot topic of discussion. Not in a confrontational Jeremy Paxton/shamed politician stylee, more in Mrs Merton/heated debate sort of fashion.

I used to love Mrs Merton’s gentle masterclasses in sarcasm (remember The Mrs Merton Show when she famously asked Debbie McGee: “So, what first attracted you to the millionaire Paul Daniels?” Priceless).

After hand-sawing the smaller bits off both trees it was time to get the chainsaw out. It was also time to sharpen the chain with the newly-purchased bench-mounted sharpening gizmo, and therefore time to fix something to the new gizmo so it could be clamped to the workbench in order to sharpen stuff on it. Sorted.

Next step, work out how to use it. Hmmmm.

The instructions that came with it were – in my humble opinion – written by the same person who works for Ikea, writing their flat-pack assembly instructions, but on a freelance basis. Late at night. After a few bevvies.

Mr E found it mildly annoying to say the least when getting it wrong might actually make the teeth more blunt instead of sharpening them.

YouTube to the rescue. It’s amazing the amount of downright odd, widgety, weirdness is lurking out there on YouTube. There were also chainsaw dealers giving hints and tips on maintenance and servicing. Very handy.

And before long, as these things tend to do, our conversation drifted on to chainsaw use in general, and how, basically, if you have a chainsaw for personal use, as long as you are over 16, you can stroll into a shop, buy one, take it home and immediately start chopping down trees in your mum and dad’s garden.

Although this is definitely not to be recommended if your mum and dad are a) very proud of the garden, and b) you are living at home and wish to continue to do so. But more importantly ,shouldn’t you have safety equipment and some training? However, it is perfectly legal.

There are chainsaw courses, but these are for professionals who now have to have a chainsaw ‘licence’, and tend to run over a couple of days for each block of training and cost quite a bit. Not really an incentive to the young Texas Chainsaw Massacre-ist.

Tempting as it might be, despite the rather relaxed law on chainsaws, I would still think it rather unwise to stroll through Kelso Square in a menacing fashion, wearing a hockey mask and brandishing one. I think this is a look only Eminem could get away with.

Wonder if he has a relevant certificate of competence?

Melrose 33 Peebles 5

RBS BORDER CUP

MELROSE got their hands on their first piece of silverware of the season today and will now go through to join Gala in the RBS National Cup quarter-final stages.

The game itself hardly set the heather alight but for the Greenyards outfit it was very much a case of going out and getting the job done and that’s exactly what they did, scoring four tries in the first half and leaving their visitors with an uphill struggle.

Credit to Peebles however. The visitors came out fighting in the second half and managed to match their hosts try for try in the minute period with some valiant defending and skilful turnovers giving their supporters something to cheer about.

It took the hosts only seven minutes to get points on the board. After continuous pressure in the Peebles 22 from the kick off Richard Mill collected the ball from a scrum five to run in between the posts. Joe Helps converted.

Play switched to the opposite end for a spell with Melrose racking up the penalty count and Peebles showing eagerness to score tries by sending the resulting kicks to the corner.

Peebles were reduced to 14 men after 25 minutes when prop Andrew Brown was sin binned for repeated infringements and Melrose made the extra man count almost immediately with tries from Ruaridh Knott and Joe Helps who also converted the former.

The bonus point was in the bag just before the break when Andrew Nagle crossed the whitewash, helps converting. Half time score: Melrose 26 Peebles 0.

With the job more or less done Melrose took their foot of the gas slightly as the second half got underway just as Peebles stepped up a gear. A sustained period of pressure from the visitors in the Melrose half resulted in a try for Ross Brown.

Such was the intensity of the Peebles defence, it took Melrose until the closing 10 minutes before they scored again. This time Andrew Skeen touching down with Richard Mill converting to seal the win.

Melrose: F. Thomson; C. Anderson, A. Dodds, J. Helps, A. Lockington; R. Mill, T. Wilson; N. Little, T. Pearce, G. Holborn, J. Head, L. Carmichael, P. Eccles, R. Knott, A. Nagle. Subs: R. Ferguson, R. Miller, R. Ovens, A. Skeen, R. Taylor.

Peebles: G. Raeburn; C. Blyth, C. Scott, D. Clancy, D. Munday; D. Anderson, S. McCormick; A. Brown, M. Carryer, B. Glasgow, J. Swiatek, R. Brown, R. Harrison, K. Brown, W. Kearney. Subs: A. Warnock, J. Manzies, D. Hall, L. Fraser, M. Anderson.

More than 150 patients have been cared for in the year since the Margaret Kerr Unit opened at the Borders General Hospital.

Dr Annabel Howell, locum consultant in palliative medicine, said: “Despite the obvious sadness and grief experienced there, it is also a place filled with love, hope and laughter; and the purpose-built environment enables us to ensure that the needs of all our patients and their families are met, whatever stage of their journey they may be at.”

CHARTERED surveyors Smiths Gore has announced a merger with the Wooler office of independent firm Sale & Partners.

As a result of this merger the breadth of services available to clients across the Borders and north Northumberland has been increased.

Established in 1927 by Colonel John Sale, Sale & Partners is widely respected in the region and provides a comprehensive range of property services, including estate management, property sales and architectural and building services.

The two firms have united under the Smiths Gore brand and the Wooler office will be headed up by Michael Orde.

He will be supported by a strong team including Ewan Harris, formerly of Sale and Partners, and James Boulton, a partner in Smiths Gore’s Berwick office, Richard Landale will stay on in a consultancy role.

This significant increase in presence will enable the new team to manage larger and more complex projects, by utilising the specialist departments such as renewables and farm business management within Smiths Gore.

Michael Orde said: “This is an extremely complementary merger which enables us to build on our strong foundations in the region.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the staff and partners of Sale & Partners, and are looking forward to serving current and future clients of the combined firm in the provision of a complete range of rural property consultancy in the area.”

Richard Landale, senior partner of Sale & Partners added: “Smiths Gore is a firm we have admired and worked closely alongside for many years, and this merger is a natural fit for the staff and partners of our Wooler office.

“As we share similar values, I know that not only will the merger provide seamless continuity of service to our client base, but it also has the added advantage of drawing upon the deeper resources of a national firm.”

THE region’s top police officer is leaving her post to take up one of two new depute chief executive roles at Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

Chief Superintendent Jeanette McDiarmid, made divisional commander for the Lothians and Borders ahead of the formation of the single police force last April, will work alongside Philip Barr.

Mr Barr is the current head of operational development with the City of Edinburgh Council.

The new posts were created following a restructuring of senior positions at SBC, which will deliver £100,000 of savings.

No start date has been confirmed for either Mrs McDiarmid or Mr Barr.

Tracey Logan, SBC’s chief executive, said: “I’m looking forward to welcoming Jeanette and Philip to the council.

“They have many strengths and excellent experience, and will play an important part in our continued work to deliver and improve our services for the people of the Borders.”

Mrs McDiarmid will oversee the new ‘People’ department, which covers things like social work, education, and business and performance.

Mr Barr will be responsible for the new ‘Place’ department, overseeing the likes of neighbourhood services, capital projects and regulatory services.

BORDER LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

This week Border Livestock Exchange to week ending sold 182 prime cattle including 62 cows, 3,043 prime sheep including 375 cull ewes, 390 store lambs, 26 store cattle and 40 in calf cows.

Aberdeen Angus steers sold to £1,743 and 420p per kg Tughall Grange, Chathill. Continental cross steers to 400p per kg and £1,738 for Scottish and £1,596 and 380p per kg for British. Despite being more plentiful, in specification cattle continue to be easy to shift. Cast cows sold to £1,193 per head from Skelton Estates, Saltburn, by the Sea.

After the Christmas/New Year hike in price, prime lamb trade steadied with good numbers being sold. Export lambs sold to 410p per kg and £86.10 for Romneys from Hallrule, Bonchester Bridge, and Humbleton, Wooler; Mules to £77.70 Garretshiels, Otterburn. Small Euro type lambs sold to £60.80. Cull ewes were similar with Texel cross ewes from Haymount, Kelso, selling to £110 per head.

Store cattle are still good to sell with Spring born Aberdeen Angus heifer calves in demand and required. A marvellous batch of 40 regularly aged Luing in calf cows sold at £1,400 per head. Store lambs sold at £64 for 36kg Texel crosses and more are stillneeded.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC had forward 25 prime cattle, seven young bulls, 31 over 30 month cattle, 4,810 prime hoggs and 5,780 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

An increased entry of prime cattle forward sold to an easier trade, although in keeping with national trend.

Bullocks topped at 238.5p for a Limousin shown by D. and R. Cornthwaite, Balgray Hill and heifers to 235.5p for a Limousin from W. and W. Faulder, Houghton House.

A larger show of 4,810 prime hoggs (863 lightweights) were forward to the usual full ring of buyers who were far more cautious than the previous two weeks. Also sold was a pen of four hoggs kindly sold by Messrs J.P. Fisher, Smalmstown, Longtown to raise money towards the Farmers’ Charity Auction to be held at Borderway Mart. They raised £99 each purchased by Mr James Thompson, Penrith.

A larger show of 5,780 cast ewes and rams were forward to a smaller ring of buyers, all classes slightly easier on the week but still sold at good rates. Export and smaller ewes most obvious change on the week.

st boswells

At their weekly Primestock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 93 clean cattle, 94 OTM cattle, 2,141 old season SQQ lambs and 738 ewes.

Bullocks (32) averaged 220.3p per kg and sold to 246p (-11.4p on week), heifers (57) averaged 220.5p per kg and sold to 248p (-8.8p on week), four young bulls averaged 140.8p per kg and sold to 160p (n/c on week) and 96 beef type OTM cattle averaged 127.1p per kg and sold to 188p (+0.4p on the week).

The 1,823 SQQ hoggs averaged 181.2p per kg (-12.1p on week) and sold to £90, 952 hoggs 38-42kgs averaged 188.1. Ewes averaged £45.80, and sold to £93 and £87 for tups. Heavy ewes £58.55, light ewes £39.86.

Principal prices per kg: Bee Edge 2.48 W Taylor (Lockerbie), 2.46 (2) M/s JP Mason and Robert Wilson Butcher Edin, 2.40 (2) W Taylor (Lockerbie) and M/s Cropper, 2.38 (2) M/s Cropper; Upper Nisbet 2.46 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Langhaugh 2.42 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Lurdenlaw 2.39 (2) M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons and M/s Hugh Black and Sons; Saughland 2.35 M/s J Gilmour and Co Ltd.

Principal Prices per head: Lurdenlaw £1663.20, £1529.60, £1477.05; Bee Edge £1525.20, £1488; Nisbet £1483.90.

Cows per head: Roxburgh Mains £1402.50, £1246.70; Corsbie £1327.70; Humebyres £1274.10, £1177.50; Crookhouse £1230.25; Wester Middleton £1202.40, £1132.50; Gatherick £1130.25; Huntington £1108.25; Muircleugh £1089.15; 10 Newmains £1083.60; Outerston £1082.30; Commonside £1065.90; Stoneypath £1044.

Cows per kg: Dunslaw 1.88; Commonside 1.87, 1.79, 1.73; Corsbie 1.871.45; Crookhouse 1.85; Wester Middleton 1.67, 1.50; Langhaugh 1.65, 1.59; Roxburgh Mains 1.65; Humebyres 1.57; Fowberry Moor 1.49; Angelraw 1.45; Kaeside 1.45.

Bull: Northhouse £1151.40 (1.01).

Lambs per head: Tex.x;- £90, £85 the Lee, £84, £83.50 Crumhaughhill, Suff.x;- £84 St Leonards, £81.50 Dunslaw, £80 Bonjedward Mill, St Leonards and Traprain, Chev;- £80.50 Wester Ulston, £79.50 North Synton, Bel;- £79.50 Lylestane and Sydenham, GF;- £67.50 Thistle Doo, HB;- £77.50 Upper Huntlywood, Rom;- £74 Upper Samieston, CM;- £73.50 Lylestane, £73 Stoneypath.

wooler

At their weekly Prime Stock sale held last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 880 hoggs and 397 ewes and rams.

Hoggs again a good show with late rates maintained. More could have been sold to vendors advantage.

Leading prices per head:- Tex.x:- £88 Wrangham East, £87 East Fleetham, £85 Lilburn Estates and Lorbottle, £84.50p, £84 East Fleetham, £83 Inland Pasture, Cockhall, Fawdon Farms and Springhill, Seahouses, £82.50p West Longridge, £82 Mindrum Farming Co, Lickar Moor, Inland Pasture and Lorbottle. Zwa:- £85 Wrangham East. Suff.x:- £84.50p Todrig, £82 East Fleetham, £81.50p Ladykirk, £81 Titlington Mount. Char.x:- £84 East Fleetham. Bel:- £84, £82.50p (2) Ladykirk. Ven:- £79.50p (2) North Lyham. Chev:- £78.50p (2) North Lyham, £78 Biddlestone Home Farm, £77 (2) Humbleheugh.

Leading prices per kilo:- Bel:- 217.1p Ladykirk, 211.8p Lorbottle, 200p Ladykirk. Tex:- 205p Mindrum Farming Co, 202.4p Cockhall, 198.8p Mindrum Farming Co, 198.7p Branton Eastside and Lickar Moor, 197.5p Cockhall, 196.3p Mindrum Farming Co. Chev:- 189.7p Branton Eastside, 188.8p North Lyham. Ven:- 193.9p North Lyham. Mule:- 182.1p Village Farm.

Ewes a larger show, all classes sought after with more horned ewes on offer. Dearer on the week.

Police Scotland have said that no update will be available on the circumstances surrounding the death, and dumping, of six roe deer near Peebles earlier this month until post mortems are completed.

A spokeswoman for the force said these will be carried out over the next few weeks.

The carcasses were found near Bonnington Farm.

A HOSPITAL ward has been closed to admissions since last Friday due to the norovirus, or winter vomiting bug.

Despite the precaution being taken on Ward 10 at the BGH, individual bays on wards 4 and 12 have also been closed.

An NHS Borders spokesperson said: “The Department of Medicine for the Elderly ward 10 at the Borders General Hospital remains closed to admissions due to the confirmed presence of norovirus.

“In addition one bay each on wards 4 and 12 are currently closed due to gastro-intestinal symptoms.

“The situation is being managed by NHS Borders management and frontline staff with support from the infection prevention and control team.”

The spokesperson added: “Visitors to ward 10 are strongly discouraged at this time and the general advice is to stay away from the hospital if you or anyone in your family has experienced symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the past 48 hours.

“This advice applies especially to children.”

Norovirus is one of the commonest causes of diarrhoea and vomiting illness.

The virus is very infectious and spreads quickly between people, especially in places where they are sharing facilities, such as in hospitals and care homes.

THE council’s criminal justice team is keen to hear from individuals and organisations which have a project that could benefit from offenders carrying out unpaid work as part of a court-imposed community payback order.

Last year offenders created new terracing at Selkirk FC’s Yarrow Park ground, put down 130 tonnes of gravel to level the car park, improved the look of the facility and built fencing.

Selkirk FC vice-chairman Ross Anderson said: “We would not have been able to pay for all the work undertaken were it not for the scheme.”

Unpaid work mostly comprises of projects which would not otherwise be undertaken, and those which would not normally be completed by paid employment.

Councillor Donald Moffat, executive member for community safety, said: “Community Payback can provide offenders with routine and structure to their lives and can give them experience of following instructions and working as part of a team.

“This can help change their behaviour and at the same time pay back a debt to the community in a highly visible way.”

A total of 21,242 hours of unpaid work was ordered by Borders courts in 2012/13.

Berwick Rangers manager Ian Little has been sacked after just over two years in charge at the Shielfield Park club.

Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat by Annan Athletic proved to be the 40-year-old’s last.

The club announced on Sunday that they have “parted company” with Little, whose team have recorded only two wins in eight games.

Despite playing some attractive football at times, Little’s team have lacked a killer instinct this season. Inconsistent results leave Berwick in eighth place, eight points behind fourth-placed Clyde.

Chairman Brian Porteous said: “The board felt that they needed to act given that we are third bottom in Division Two and getting further adrift from a play off position.

“We have not been able to get any consistency and feel that we should at least be in the top four and simply need to move forward quickly before it is too late. We will be making a further announcement very soon.”

It is understood that the board of directors will hold a meeting on Monday to discuss the situation and a statement is expected thereafter.

Little joined Berwick as a player in 2004 after spells with Livingston, Stenhousemuir and Alloa. He became assistant manager and continued to play under Jimmy Crease before taking over as manager when Crease resigned in October 2011.

He guided the team to the promotion play-offs last season, but Berwick’s league form has not been good enough this season.

The board had been prepared to spend money on new players during the January transfer window, but told Little a play-off place at the end of the season was the minimum requirement.

But one point out of a possible nine in their last three games, including two home defeats, proved to be the final straw.

It is understood that assistant manager Robbie Horn will take over on an interim basis.

He informed the players of the decision on Sunday and later revealed that Gary O’Connor, the club’s goalkeeping coach, and a friend of Little, had subsequently decided to leave.

The former Vale of Leithen manager is believed to be keen on landing the job permanently, but Berwick will cast the net widely before making a decision.

Detectives have arrested a man on suspicion of the murder of Borders artist and designer Valerie Graves in Bosham, Sussex.

The 22-year-old man was detained on Tuesday and is currently in custody.

Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team launched a murder investigation on Monday, December 30, after the body of Ms Graves, 55, was found in a house in Bosham’s Smugglers Lane.

She and her family were looking after the house while the owners were away over Christmas.

Ms Graves was found dead in a ground-floor bedroom by a member of her family.

A post mortem revealed she died from significant head and facial injuries.

Ms Graves, who graduated from Heriot-Watt University’s Galashiels campus in 2007, had previously lived at Maxton and had run a craft workshop at Harestanes, near Jedburgh.

Detectives from the Sussex force had also travelled to the Borders last week, while they conducted enquiries in the region.

Last week, Fiona Waldron, Head of the School of Textiles and Design at Heriot-Watt University’s campus in Galashiels, paid tribute to Ms Graves, saying she would be much missed.

The death has shocked the community of Bosham, which featured in the ITV drama, Midsomer Murders.

Football

Saturday, January 11

SPFL league Two

Albion Rovers 1 Montrose 0

Berwick Rangers 1 Annan Athletic 4

East Stirling 2 Peterhead 0

Elgin City 3 Clyde 1

Queen’s Park 0 Stirling Albion 1

P W D L F A Pts

Peterhead 20 10 6 4 40 25 36

Annan Athletic 19 10 4 5 40 29 34

Stirling Albion 19 9 4 6 32 29 31

Clyde 20 9 4 7 25 26 31

Albion Rovers 20 8 5 7 28 25 29

East Stirling 20 8 5 7 29 29 29

Montrose 20 6 6 8 26 29 24

Berwick Rangers 20 6 5 9 29 28 23

Elgin City 19 6 5 8 35 35 23

Queen’s Park 19 2 4 13 17 46 10

lowland league cup Section A

Preston Athletic 7 Gala Fairydean Rovers 0

Vale of Leithen 4 Selkirk 1

lowland league cup Section b

University of Stirling 0 Whitehill Welfare 0

Spartans 1 Edinburgh City 3

lowland league cup Section c

East Kilbride 3 Dalbeattie Star 2

Gretna 2008 1 Threave Rovers 0

East of Scotland Premier Division

Coldstream 0 Lothian Thistle H Vale 4

Craigroyston 5 Heriot-Watt University 1

Edinburgh Univ 1 Tynecastle 0

Leith Athletic 3 Spartans 3

Stirling University P Civil Service Strollers P

P W D L F A Pts

Stirling Univ 12 8 1 3 28 23 25

Craigroyston 11 7 1 3 28 15 22

Lothian Th H Vale 9 7 1 1 20 8 22

Edinburgh Univ 14 5 5 4 26 20 20

Spartans 13 5 4 4 28 19 19

Tynecastle 12 6 1 5 29 25 19

Coldstream 13 4 2 7 17 28 14

Leith Athletic 10 3 3 4 23 23 12

Heriot-Watt Univ 11 2 1 8 13 25 7

CS Strollers 13 2 1 10 14 40 7

East of Scotland Division 1

Burntisland Shipyard 3 Hawick RA 1

Duns 0 Easthouses Lily 4

Ormiston 3 Eyemouth United 1

Peebles Rovers P Kelso United P

P W D L F A Pts

Hibernian 12 10 1 1 49 10 31

Easthouses Lily 11 8 3 0 38 15 27

Berwick Rangers 12 5 0 7 23 23 15

Ormiston 9 5 0 4 19 19 15

Eyemouth United 12 4 2 6 26 36 14

Kelso United 10 3 4 3 20 21 13

Burntisland Ship 9 2 3 4 15 24 9

Peebles Rovers 10 2 3 5 17 29 9

Hawick RA 9 3 0 6 13 25 9

Duns 12 2 2 8 16 34 8

Scottish Amateur Cup 5th Round

Netherthird 2 Gordon 2

Border Amateur division a

Ancrum 1 Greenlaw 5

Gala Fairydean 4 Newtown 3

Hearts of L’dale 2 Chirnside Utd 2

Leithen Rovers 2 West Barns Star 0

Stow 5 Tweeddale Rovers 1

P W D L F A Pts

Chirnside Utd 16 10 3 3 46 29 33

Hawick Waverley 15 8 4 3 37 28 28

Newtown 16 7 3 6 33 28 24

Gala Fairydean R 17 7 2 8 47 46 23

Greenlaw 12 5 2 5 26 31 17

Stow 11 5 1 5 28 18 16

West Barns Star 10 5 1 4 32 30 16

Tweeddale Rovers 15 5 1 9 25 33 16

Leithen Rovers 8 5 0 3 24 14 15

Ancrum 9 2 3 4 20 27 9

*Hearts of L’dale 13 1 2 10 22 56 2

*points deducted

Border Amateur division b

Coldstream Ams 4 Hawick Legion 6

Eyemouth Ams 5 Linton Hotspur 2

Jed Legion 4 Biggar 3

Langholm Legion P Gala Hotspur P

Selkirk Victoria 0 Hawick United 5

P W D L F A Pts

Jed Legion 15 12 0 3 51 16 36

Hawick Utd 16 10 2 4 51 46 32

Gordon 10 8 0 2 62 16 24

Hawick Legion 13 8 0 5 56 36 24

Langholm Legion 14 7 2 5 48 30 23

Eyemouth Ams 15 6 3 6 55 39 21

Gala Hotspur 14 6 3 5 45 38 21

Coldstream Ams 12 5 2 5 34 23 17

Linton Hotspur 12 4 0 8 23 34 12

*Selkirk Victoria 12 0 0 12 1 114 -3

*Biggar 11 0 0 11 14 48 -6

*points deducted

Border Amateur division c

CFC Bowholm P Chirnside UC P

Kelso Thistle 4 Melrose 0

Lauder A Earlston Rhymers A (injury)

Tweedmouth Ams 5 Hawick Legion Rovers 1

P W D L F A Pts

Chirnside UC 13 8 2 3 45 28 26

Kelso Thistle 13 8 1 4 29 19 25

Earlston Rhymers 10 5 2 3 26 18 17

*Tweedmouth Ams 11 6 1 4 26 25 16

St Boswells 12 4 3 5 30 30 15

Melrose 11 4 2 5 29 26 14

CFC Bowholm 11 4 1 6 21 27 13

Lauder 8 3 1 4 18 21 10

Hawick LR 13 2 1 10 18 48 7

*points deducted

North Northumberland Division 1

Bamburgh 4 Shilbottle 9

Highfields Utd 4 Tweedmouth Harrow 1

Tweedmouth R 4 North Sunderland 1

Springhill 1 Rothbury 2

P W D L F A Pts

Shilbottle CW 10 9 1 0 52 18 28

Tweedmouth R 8 7 1 0 40 10 22

Bamburgh Castle 9 6 1 2 32 28 19

Red Row Welfare 9 4 2 3 26 22 14

Rothbury 8 4 0 4 22 27 12

North Sunderland 9 3 1 5 15 29 10

Springhill 12 3 0 9 19 33 9

Highfields United 10 2 0 8 20 33 6

Tweedmouth H 11 2 0 9 19 45 6

North Northumberland Division 2

Amble St Cuthbert 4 Embleton 2

Craster Rovers P Lowick P

Hedgeley Rovers P Alnmouth Utd P

Wansbeck 5 Lynemouth Anglers 2

Wooler Reserves 1 Duns 8

P W D L F A Pts

Wansbeck Juniors 14 11 2 1 74 20 35

Lowick United 10 8 1 1 53 16 25

Craster Rovers 12 5 6 1 27 16 21

Duns 10 6 1 3 36 18 19

Embleton WR 13 6 1 6 44 37 19

Amble St Cuth 10 5 1 4 23 32 16

Wooler Reserves 11 3 1 7 15 43 10

Alnmouth Utd 10 2 1 7 15 47 7

Lynemouth Ang 11 1 1 9 20 34 4

Hedgeley Rovers 9 0 1 8 7 51 1

NFA MINOR CUP 4th ROUND

Red Row Welfare 1 Gosforth Bohemian 0

Northern Alliance Division 1

Heddon 1 Wooler 1

P W D L F A Pts

Cramlington T 17 12 3 2 46 27 39

Newcastle Chem 12 10 1 1 39 13 31

Gateshead Red 14 9 1 4 57 29 28

North Shields Ath 13 8 1 4 39 27 25

Wooler 17 6 5 6 35 36 23

Newcastle Univ 13 8 1 4 44 26 25

Birtley St J 16 6 4 6 40 38 22

New Fordley 14 6 3 5 34 39 21

Cullercoats 17 5 4 8 30 35 19

Gosforth Boh 16 5 4 7 30 36 19

Bedlington T Res 15 5 3 7 34 33 18

Ponteland United 14 4 6 4 29 32 18

Hexham 16 6 0 10 28 45 18

Heddon 19 4 1 14 29 70 13

Willington Quay 17 1 3 13 20 48 6

Fixtures

Saturday, January 18

SPFL league Two (3pm)

Annan Athletic v Clyde

Berwick Rangers v Stirling Albion

East Stirling v Albion Rovers

Montrose v Peterhead

Queen’s Park v Elgin City

lowland league cup Section A

Gala Fairydean Rovers v Vale of Leithen (3pm)

Selkirk v Preston Athletic (2pm)

lowland league cup Section b

University of Stirling v Spartans (3pm)

Whitehill Welfare v Edinburgh City (2pm)

lowland league cup Section c

Dalbeattie Star v Gretna 2008 (2pm)

Threave Rovers v East Kilbride (3pm)

East of scotland Premier division (2.30)

Civil Service Strollers v Tynecastle (2pm)

Heriot-Watt University v Coldstream

Leith Athletic v Craigroyston

Lothian Thistle HV v Stirling University

East of Scotland Division 1 (2pm)

Easthouses Lily MW v Ormiston

Hawick Royal Albert v Burntisland Shipy’d (2.30)

Kelso United v Duns

Peebles Rovers v Eyemouth United

Scottish Amateur Cup 5th Round replay

Gordon v Netherthird (1.30)

South of Scotland Cup 3rd Round (1.30)

Haddington Ath v Musselburgh Windsor

Hawick Waverley v Chirnside United

Jed Legion v Mayfield and Easthouses

Maxwelltown Th v Leithen Rovers

Stow v Law Parish Church

Upper Annandale v Carluke Baps

Border Amateur division a(2pm)

Ancrum v Gala Fairydean Rovers

Greenlaw v Hearts of Liddesdale

Tweeddale Rovers v West Barns Star

Border Amateur division b(2pm)

Coldstream Ams v Gala Hotspur

Eyemouth Ams v Selkirk Victoria

Langholm Legion v Hawick United

Linton Hotspur v Hawick Legion

Border Amateur division c (2pm)

Chirnside Colts v Lauder

Melrose v Hawick Legion Rovers

St Boswells v CFC Bowholm

Tweedmouth Ams v Kelso Thistle

North Northumberland Division 1 (2pm)

Bamburgh v North Sunderland

Rothbury v Red Row Welfare

Shilbottle CW v Highfields Utd

Tweedmouth Rangers v Tweedmouth Harrow

North Northumberland Division 2 (2pm)

Craster Rovers v Embleton WR

Duns v Amble St Cuthbert

Lynemouth v Alnmouth Utd

Lowick Utd v Wooler Res

Wansbeck v Hedgeley Rovers

Northern Alliance Division 1 (2pm)

Wooler v Bedlington Terriers Res

Rugby

Saturday, January 11

Championship B

Musselburgh 37 Haddington 34

Hawick YM 20 Murrayfield Wanderers 14

P W l d F A BP Pts

Musselburgh 15 13 2 0 552 270 13 65

Jed-Forest 14 13 1 0 505 179 9 61

Howe of Fife 13 11 2 0 592 172 11 55

Kirkcaldy 14 7 6 1 344 333 8 38

Haddington 15 6 8 1 315 375 9 35

Livingston 14 7 7 0 300 380 6 34

Aber’shire 13 4 9 0 263 369 8 24

Lasswade 14 3 11 0 223 497 5 15

Hawick YM 13 2 11 0 192 493 2 10

Murrayfield 13 2 11 0 203 421 3 9

Border Cup

Hawick 21 Selkirk 19

Kelso 25 Jed-Forest 21

Melrose 33 Peebles 5

P W l d F A BP Pts

Melrose 5 5 0 0 181 59 3 23

Hawick 5 4 1 0 131 101 2 18

Selkirk 5 2 3 0 78 62 3 11

Jed-Forest 4 1 3 0 73 141 2 6

Kelso 4 1 3 0 64 128 0 4

Peebles 3 0 3 0 25 61 2 2

East League 1

Dunbar 10 Preston Lodge 32

Hawick Quins 15 Hawick Linden 10

Langholm 14 Linlithgow 15

Portobello 34 Duns 8

RHC 12 North Berwick 21

P W l d F A BP Pts

Preston Lodge 14 14 0 0 630 174 13 69

RHC 15 12 3 0 557 146 11 59

North Berwick 15 12 3 0 361 234 6 54

Dunbar 15 10 5 0 558 237 10 50

Linlithgow 14 8 6 0 387 249 10 42

Portobello 15 5 10 0 230 422 4 24

Hawick Linden 14 4 10 0 194 410 5 21

Duns 15 3 12 0 190 528 2 14

Langholm 14 3 111 0 182 495 3 13

Hawick Quins 15 2 13 0 238 632 4 12

East League 2

Berwick 59 Edin Northern 10

Forrester 30 Earlston 0

Inverleith 22 Lismore 7

Penicuik 10 Dalkeith 43

Trinity Accies 49 Leith 12

P W l d F A BP Pts

Dalkeith 15 14 1 0 883 177 13 69

Berwick 15 13 2 0 809 145 10 62

Forrester 15 12 3 0 616 184 11 59

Trinity Acad 15 9 6 0 399 213 10 46

Edin North 15 7 8 0 235 520 2 30

Earlston 15 5 10 0 285 432 9 29

Inverleith 15 6 9 0 173 435 4 28

Leith 15 5 10 0 226 478 6 26

Penicuik 15 2 13 0 172 500 6 14

Lismore 15 2 13 0 100 814 2 10

East League 3

Broughton 34 Queensferry 0

Liberton P Walkerburn P

RDVC 10 Gala YM 20

P W l d F A BP Pts

Gala YM 11 10 1 0 397 113 8 48

St Boswells 9 9 0 0 502 54 9 45

Ross High 12 7 5 0 250 212 3 31

Liberton FP 10 6 4 0 205 188 4 28

Broughton 12 6 6 0 248 298 3 25

RDVC 9 1 7 1 113 217 2 6

Queensferry 10 1 9 0 84 402 2 6

Walkerburn 9 0 8 1 85 400 2 -1

borders semi junior League

Duns Colts 0 Gala Wanderers 35

Jed Thistle 27 Selkirk Youth 5

Peebles Colts 12 Kelso Harlequins 18

Hawick PSA conceded v Berwick Colts

Langholm Colts conceded v Hawick Wanderers

P W l d F A Pts

Jed Thistle 16 16 0 0 575 93 32

Hawick Wands 19 15 4 0 522 201 30

Melrose Wasps 15 14 1 0 504 149 28

Gala Wanderers 17 13 4 0 404 272 26

Kelso Harlequins 17 12 5 0 368 179 24

Selkirk Youth 18 8 8 2 321 314 18

Berwick Colts 18 7 11 0 293 383 14

Peebles Colts 19 6 12 1 202 444 13

Hawick PSA 18 5 13 0 223 669 10

Duns Colts 15 2 12 1 103 397 5

Tynedale Colts 16 2 14 0 124 487 4

Langholm Colts 16 0 16 0 5 56 0

Fixtures

Saturday, January 18

Border Cup (2pm)

Peebles v Jed-Forest

Border league pool a (3pm)

Kelso v Hawick

Border league pool b (2pm)

Melrose v Hawick YM

East League 1 (2pm)

Duns v Dunbar

Langholm v Hawick Quins

Linlithgow v RHC

North Berwick v Portobello

Preston Lodge v Hawick Linden

East League 2 (2pm)

Dalkeith v Trinity Accies

Earlston v Inverleith

Forrester v Berwick

Leith v Edinburgh Northern

Lismore v Penicuik

East League 3 (2pm)

Broughton v St Boswells

Queensferry v RDVC

Ross High v Liberton FP

borders semi junior League (2pm)

Berwick Colts v Jed Thistle

Gala Wanderers v Tynedale Colts

Hawick Wands v Hawick PSA

Kelso Harlequins v Langholm Colts

Peebles Colts v Melrose Wasps

Selkirk Youth v Duns Colts

THE Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCS) is looking for Borders parents to turn the tables on their kids and get them to climb the walls instead.

Indoor climbing is becoming increasingly popular among young people, providing a great outlet for energy, feeding a thirst for adventure in a controlled environment and helping children to form links with others in real life, away from the keyboard.

The MCS, governing body for sport climbing in Scotland, is now taking entries for the Youth Climbing Series 2014, a series of fun and friendly competitions for climbers aged between eight and 17, with heats held around the country.

The competitions are open to any young climber and, although competitive, are also fun and a great way to meet other climbers. The top three climbers in each age and gender category make up the MCS regional teams for Scotland North and Scotland South, and will compete with sides from England, Wales and Ireland at the British final in June at EICA Ratho, near Edinburgh. The two regional teams will also make up the Scottish Youth Squad for the year and will receive various benefits including coaching.

Scottish heats are: Round 1, February 8, Glasgow Climbing Centre and Inverness Leisure Centre; Round 2, March 1, The Peak, Stirling, and Transition Extreme, Aberdeen; Round 3, March 29, Edinburgh University and The Ice Factor, Kinlochleven. Go to www.mcofs.org.uk for more details.

The early-morning fog soon lifted to expose a cold winter morning, and although the course was frosted, it was imminently playable.

Which was just as well, as 14 golfers turned up to take up the Lauder Golf Club Winter Challenge.

Tom Hogarth shot one under the card to pick up the spoils of the day, pushing newcomer to the podium, George Cessford, who carded 71, into second place. David McPherson was third, knocking Louis Scott off the podium by way of a better inward half.

Results: 1, T. Hogarth 84 (15) 69; 2, G. Cessford 92 (21) 71; 3, D. McPherson 86 (14) 72. Photographed from left: George, Louis and Tom. Louis Scott still leads the aggregate score with Sandy Thomson and Tom Hogarth tied for second. Tom Hogarth remains in front in the Eclectic Competition. Results: 1, T. Hogarth 52.75; 2, R. Dick 54.75; 3, D. Bain 55.

Robin Runciman’s soup was well worth the wait. He assured the company it was made in 2013 and has had lots of time to develop the flavour.

Sporting digest

Athletics

Gala Harriers

The popular BUPA Great Winter Junior Run took place in Holyrood Park at the weekend. In the first race-off, Gala Harriers were represented by young Gregor Collins, coming home in an impressive third position in 8 minutes and 15 seconds over the 2.5km distance. Mark Purves also enjoyed his outing and finished in 8.54.

Senior Harriers were also represented in the race around Arthur’s Seat, with Gina Allen (24.04), Dawn Grant (24.10), Caroline McDermott (30.37) and Anne Purves (30.43) running strongly around the 5km course.

The stunning garden landscapes of Paxton House provided the backdrop for the fourth round of the Borders Winter Cross-country series on Sunday.

A total of 97 juniors and 165 seniors from all over south-east Scotland populated the picturesque frosty routes with 41 Gala juniors ensuring that almost half of the young runners were green and white.

There were excellent category placings for many, including Jason McIntosh, Joe Agnew, James Mercer, Jamie Logan, Corri Campbell, Susannah Godfrey-Faussett and Rhiannon Fagan.

The seniors were no less well represented, again with good individual placings for many, notably Fergus Johnston who was the first Harrier across the line, Chrys Murphy, Bob Marshall, Fiona Dalgleish and Kirstin Maxwell (The complete results can be found on the Borders XC website, via Norham Running Club’s site).

Several hardy souls from the club braved the January 1 Portobello four-mile Promathon, again with Fergus Johnston (22.03) leading home the quartet of Fiona Shepherd (27.07), Amy Capper (28.14) and Graham Capper (28.47).

Fixtures

This weekend sees the East District Cross-country League (third round) take place at Broxburn and the Feel the Burn Hill Race at Selkirk on Sunday.

Bowling

Earlston

It’s eyes down at Earlston Bowling Club at the end of the month as the popular winter warmer nights continue.

Bingo Night is the theme on Friday, January 31, with the fun starting in the clubhouse at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Curling

Border Ice Rink

Early in the New Year the opening rounds of the Tweedmouth Kettle saw Ayton Castle, Chirnside, Earlston, Foulden, Lammermuir, Lees and Swinton eliminated from the competition, and so by deduction, it wound up that Coldstream would play Lauderdale, and Duns would meet Greenlaw in the semi-finals.

As things turned out, Coldstream defeated Duns in the final for this venerable trophy which dates back to 1878 or thereabouts.

The list of clubs that have won over the years includes Allanton, Lithtillum, Reston and Co’path to name but a few from bygone days, while the names of various players would bring tears to a glass eye.

Equally early in the New Year, the Border Bonspiel took place on January 8 and 9, and when the snow, ice, smog and stoor cleared, the results added up to a win for St Boswells, with Glendale in second spot.

Sadly, this was to be the final year of the generous and much-appreciated sponsorship by The Famous Grouse.

In more dangerous and enlightened days not many of those prize bottles would have come out from the rink!

Boxing Day is the traditional date for the family Bonspiel and so it came to pass that the Stevenson family won this cheery competition. Three generations were in the rink – Helen Mattheson, daughter Wendy and her husband John, with their son Thomas, presumably at lead.

The Auld Yins are in full flow with Logan Forrest at one end of the league and Michael Aitchison at the other.

Golf

Galashiels

John Scott (Plumbing & Heating) Seniors Winter League: Winner, G. Turnbull nett 36 bih.

Lauder

There will be a quiz at the newly-refurbished clubhouse on Friday, February 7, starting at 7pm for 7.30pm. Members and guests welcome to make up teams of four.

There is a limited number of tables, so to book early phone Tom (07808 479858) or email tom@whatsonscotland.com.

Food and refreshments will be served on the night.

Minto

The new captains at the helm at Minto have expressed confidence in the future of the club at the beginning of their term of office.

John Law, the club captain, and Gill Cartwright, the ladies’ captain, believe that 2014 will be the year in which long-nurtured plans for the club’s development begin to come to fruition. Their confidence is based, in part, on the revision of the club lease with its landlord for a 25-year period. Together with the acceptance of a new constitution by club members, the new lease will allow the club to make funding applications for further improvements to the course and the clubhouse.

By the time the summer season starts, members and visitors will already be benefiting from the refurbishment of the clubhouse kitchen and enjoying the use of a new picturesque bridge over the burn on the third hole.

Both captains paid tribute to their predecessors, Ron Elliot and Lesley Moore, and to other office bearers who had worked tirelessly to achieve the revision of the lease and the finalising of the new constitution. Among a number of initiatives being considered by the club council is the Get into Golf scheme, which will give adults who haven’t played golf before and those who have been away from the game for a while the chance to try their hand at it.

For more information about membership of Minto Golf Club, ring the secretary on 01450 870 220 (ext 3) or go to the club website 
www.mintogolf.co.uk

Torwoodlee

Midweek Eight-hole Stableford: 1, J. Graham 17 points (bl4); 2, D. Richards 17.

Pool

Border League

After the festive break, the league resumed with First Division leaders Ship A consolidating top spot by edging second-placed High Level A in a last-frame thriller to go six points clear.

Waverley A joined the Level in second, outpointing a plucky Niki’s, while Dryburgh and Reivers B both won to relieve their relegation worries.

Division Two saw all games finish 5-4 in what looks like being a cracking season, with only one win separating the top five. Fleece B just stay top from High Level B and Station, all winning last-frame deciders, while sixth-placed Red Lion A sneaked victory against their B team in a tight Kelso local derby.

Results – Division One: Waverley A (Hawick) 6 Niki’s Bar (Gala) 3; Ship A (Melrose) 5 High Level A (Hawick) 4; Reivers B (Gala) 5 Reivers A (Hawick) 4; Dryburgh (Newtown) 7 Fleece A (Selkirk) 2.

Division Two: High Level B (Hawick) 5 Ship B (Melrose) 4; Station Bar (Hawick) 5 Waverley B (Hawick) 4; Red Lion B (Kelso) 4 Red Lion A (Kelso) 5; Fleece B (Selkirk) 5 Bridge Inn (Gala) 4.

Rugby

Commonwealth Games

Organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have confirmed the teams and pools for the Rugby Sevens at this summer’s event.

The 16 participants who will strive for gold at Ibrox Stadium are: Australia, Canada, Cook Islands, England, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Wales.

Reigning champions New Zealand, who have won all four Commonwealth Gold medals to date, have been drawn in Pool A alongside Canada, Nigeria and tournament hosts, Scotland.

Tickets are on sale online at glasgow2014.com or via the Ticketing Hotline – telephone 08448 262014.

Snooker

Border League

Tommy Douglas Storage Border League results: Hawick Conservative Club A 4 Hawick Burns Club B 2; Innerleithen 4 Selkirk B 2; Kelso Legion 4 St Boswells 2; Selkirk A 5 Jedburgh Legion 1; Hawick Burns Club A 5 Hawick Conservative Club A 1.

League standings after 11 rounds: 1, Hawick Conservative Club A 58; 2, Kelso Legion 41; 3, Hawick Burns Club A 41; 4, Selkirk A 40; 5, Jedburgh Legion 35; 6, Hawick Burns Club B 31; 7, Selkirk B 25; 8, Hawick Conservative Club B 23; 9, St Boswells 21; 10, Innerleithen 15.

Tonight’s Jean Yule Cup Fixtures: Selkirk B v Hawick Conservative Club A; St Boswells v Hawick Burns Club A; Hawick Burns Club B v Kelso Legion; Hawick Conservative Club B v Innerleithen. Free Week – Jedburgh Legion and Selkirk A.

This weekend’s big event: The Selkirk Conservative Club sponsored 25-and-Under Singles competition to be held in the club on Sunday, January 19, noon for 12.30pm start. Entries on the day.

Squash

Galashiels

Club night friendlies: D. Sharratt 2 B. Hogg 0; I. Chalmers 2 I. Ross 0; A. Gill 2 B. Hogg 0;I. Chalmers 2 I. Ross 0; B. Hogg 2 I. Ross 0. Racketball Ladder: A. Gill 2 D Sharratt 1.

NATIONAL deaf-blind charity Sense is offering budding athletes from the Borders the chance to take the challenge of a lifetime and the London Marathon.

The organisation that supports and campaigns for people who are both deaf and blind has guaranteed places for April’s race.

Tara Hamdi, from Sense, said: “We want to give local runners the opportunity to run for a cause close to home. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a novice, we’ll support you every step of the way.”

Register online at www.sense.org.uk/londonmarathon, call 0845 127 0063 or email marathon@sense.org.uk. Closing date is January 20.

SATURDAY saw the big names of Brendan Foster, Jonathan Edwards and Paula Radcliffe in front of BBC TV cameras in Holyrood Park for the Great Edinburgh International Cross-country.

And hard training over the autumn and winter months ensured that six young Gala Harriers aspiring for similar greatness were picked for the East of Scotland team for the Inter-district Cross-country races, along with one senior woman. In total, three of the forementioned came away with a medal from their various age-group races, with an almost clean sweep for the East team. First off were the under-13 girls and boys over 3km, with four Gala juniors representing the East. Arguably, the best performance of the day came from Susannah Godfrey-Faussett, whose seventh position in 12 minutes and 12 seconds ensured she grabbed one of the gold medals as one of the first six counters from the team. Cara Hogg (13.48) also ran well.

Jamie Logan’s 13th position in his Under-13 race in 11.34 made him the fourth counter in the East’s silver medal, while Andrew Hogg also put in a strong race to finish in 11.54.

Joe Agnew won his first East District selection for the under-15 boys’ 4km race and finished in a solid 15.09.

Thomas Otton was one of the youngest boys in the under-17 men’s race, stepping up to this age category for the first time and finished in a very creditable 22.01, while his older team-mates were capturing gold further up the field.

Dianne Lauder, a veteran of district representation, added another gold medal to her cabinet by finishing the senior women’s 6km event in 23.17 in 11th position (sixth counter).

MORE than 150 hardy athletes from all over the country are expected to converge in Selkirk on Sunday for the second running of the Feel the Burns hill race.

Entries for the charity run, over a gruelling 13.7-mile route, close today and organiser Sheila Cochrane told The Southern: “After last year’s success we have had another great response and are expecting similar entries, if not more.”

Matthew Sullivan from Shettleston Harriers won last year’s event in an impressive 1.39.57.

All money raised is in aid of Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue who will be supporting the race, while Ryan Crockett and Libby Lindsay, from Physio Plus, will also be there to provide treatment for the runners and deal with post-race injuries.

Competitors will be treated to a warming Burns supper feast after the race at Selkirk Rugby Club.

The event starts at noon from Corbylinn. For more details, contact Sheila Cochrane on 07776 413725 or email her at Sheila@andersonroad.plus.com

HAWICK-BASED Border Bowmen took part in the Eastern Area Indoor Championships which was held at Lasswade High School last weekend.

The round shot was a Portsmouth and in the gents’ recurve Michael Murray came second with 572 out of 600, while Roy Murray picked up the D class medal with 552. In the ladies’ recurve, Bonchester’s Paralympian Kate Murray took second place with 563.

Border Bowmen are looking for land for summer outdoor training, over 90m. Anyone who can help should contact borderbowmen11@gmail.com.

Kelso’s Ryan Brown was once again the stand-out performer for the BEST Performance Squad in round three of the East District Age Group Swimming Championships.

Winning one gold, two silver and finishing no worse than fourth in his remaining events resulted in the teenager receiving the award for top 15-year-old boy.

The Kelso ASC member took gold in his pet stroke, butterfly, and placed second in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley events.

While Brown was the only member of the team to mount the podium on this occasion, his colleagues racked up an impressive number of finals appearances (16) and personal best times (60 per cent).

Brown’s Kelso teammate, 12-year-old Catherine Soeder, narrowly missed out on the medals, placing fourth in the 12-and-under 200m individual medley. Soeder also finished fifth and sixth with impressive performances in the 100m freestyle and butterfly events respectively.

A further three Kelso ASC members each contested multiple finals and achieved a healthy proportion of PBs – Jenny Adams and Lizi Clelland, both 14, and Amy Richardson, 12.

Peebles ASC member Finlay Dewar reached two finals while narrowly missing another couple. Dewar crossed the line in seventh position in both finals and notched up three PBs from five events.

Gala ASC’s Sarah Frizzel got her district career off to a very promising start with a massive six-second PB, seeing her clinch seventh in the 12-and-under 100m breaststroke on her debut at this level.

Jodie Pyman, 11, of Peebles ASC, placed 14th in the 12-and-under 100m butterfly, but was the top-placed 11-year-old in this event which bodes well for next year, while teammate Thomas Nicoll showed his hard work has paid off when he achieved five PBs from five events, finishing not too far out of the 12-and-under finals as an 11-year-old.

Hawick and Teviotdale ASC’s Lindsay Jack also boasted a 100 per cent PB record with four from four.

BEST Performance coach Alex Jordan told The Southern: “The team was racing this meet pretty tired after quite an intensive training block and not much time off over the festive period.

“I felt this showed as the event went on, but all the hard work in the training pool will pay off long term, which is what we are focused on.”

He added: “The team showed once again that they are growing in strength and depth with so many finalists from different clubs across a range of events.”