Leithen Rovers 5 Musselburgh Windsor 3

SOUTH CUP QUARTER FINALS

He is nicknamed Speedie, and Alan McMath is showing no signs of slowing down as he bagged another hat-trick to guide Leithen Rovers to the South Cup semi-finals.

McMath scored two goals in the final ten minutes to ensure extra time was not required after Lothian East League side Musselburgh Windsor pushed Rovers all the way.

McMath’s goals mean Rovers are still on target for a third South Cup title in four season, and boss Paul Graham paid tribute to his hitman at full time.

He said: “Alan’s workrate is unbelievable and he causes so many problems for opponents. His three goals were just reward for his efforts.

“At times I thought we did not want to get through the way we played.

“I think the Musselburgh goals gave our players the kick up the backside they needed.”

McMath may claim he bagged four in this cup tie, which was moved to Netherdale 3G Arena due to their soggy home pitch.

However, while he fired the 12 minute shot at goal which found the net, it was mainly thanks to a massive deflection off Musselburgh midfielder David Wood.

Windsor attempted to play passing football throughout the game and while their defending was suspect, they always looked a threat going forward.

Therefore, it was not a great surprise to see the visitors strike back on 23 minutes when a cracking run by Darren Gourlay ended with his cross being volleyed in by Paul Marshall.

Windsor’s woeful defending was evident on the half hour as Peter Shearlaw’s corner somehow made it through the penalty box to McMath to head in from six yards.

And Musselburgh failed to learn their lesson ten minutes after the break when Ross Forrest was left unmarked in the box, only for the Leithen centre half to head the ball straight into goalkeeper Michael Welsh’s hands.

Rovers appeared to be comfortable at this stage, but three goals in eight frantic minutes sparked the cup tie into life.

Windsor’s Scott Gourlay was first up with a superb strike on the left hand touchline which flew over keeper Chris Watson in the 63st minute. The argument over whether he meant it was probably settled by Gourlay’s lack of goal celebration.

Rovers struck back five minutes later with more rank-rotten defensive efforts from the East Lothian club. Leithen skipper Colin Smith worked his way to the touch line and his low cross somehow made it all the way to Shearlaw to tap home from all of three yards.

But back came Musselburgh with another fine goal, as Scott Gourlay’s cracking pass was finished by a fine chip by Marshall.

It seemed extra time was on the cards, but up stepped McMath to seal the victory.

He linked up with Hagen Steele to make it 4-3 ten minutes from time, and 60 seconds later McMath struck again.

Leithen Rovers: C. Watson, D. Paterson, C. Borthwick, C. Smith (J. Almero 90), R. Forrest, D. Pryde (S. Philibin 69), D. Thomson, A. Hardie, H. Steele, A. McMath, P. Shearlaw (T. Fleming 85).

Stow 2 Newtown 2

BAL Division A

STOW’S hopes of winning Division A are all but over after this hard fought but poor standard draw, writes Kenny Paterson.

Stow led twice but failed to see off a spirited Newtown side, leaving Paul Young’s team with a mathematical but highly unlikely chance of claiming the title.

Played at the Netherdale 3G Arena, Stow dominated the first half and opened the scoring with Billy Miller’s fine 20th minute free kick.

Miller almost turned provider in the 25th minute, only for Jordan Steele to guide his cross wide.

Ryan Pritchard then had a free header but placed the ball straight into the hands of Newtown keeper Gareth Weatherston.

Newtown made the perfect reply just eight minutes after half time when Stephen Swanston’s cross was thumped in off the crossbar by Scott Leitch.

Stow brought on ex-Selkirk winger Ryan Clapperton and within minutes he set up James Runciman to bundle the ball over the line in the 68th minute.

But two minutes later, Newtown equalised again thanks to a fine Neil Macvicar header from a Scott Leitch free kick.

Young and Clapperton forced Weatherston into two saves near the end but Stow could not force a late winner.

Stow assistant manager Fraser Riddell said: “We are disappointed with how we played after our performance against Gordon the week before (won 2-1 in South Cup).”

Stow: T. Kerr, G. Wood, E. Riddell, R. Pritchard, C. Wood, P. Young, B. Miller, J. Runciman, J. Crawford, G. Cleghorn, J. Steele. Subs: R. Clapperton, P. Marszalek, C. Riddell, B. Runciman, M. Gibson.

Newtown: G. Weatherston, P. Scott, D. Richardson, S. Makepeace, D. Gill, N. Todd, N. Macvicar, S. Swanston, S. Leitch, G. Hastie, L. Burke. Subs: S. Deacon, C. Cargill, G. Armstrong, D. Blacklock, J. Hunter.

Hawick 21 Gala 22

RBS PREMIERSHIP

GALA moved to the head of the Premiership title race after edging out Hawick by the narrowest of margins in a match that provided thrilling viewing despite the difficulties of a muddy Mansfield Park surface ravaged by winter storms.

There might have been only one point between the teams at the end of a match that in many ways was all about traditional Border rivalry and the win sets up Gala for a genuine charge at the title. But Gala skipper George Graham cautioned against making rash assumptions.

“As much as we’re in the driving seat we’ve got two tough games,” he told TheSouthern.

“We’ve got Stirling Country away and their pitch is not going to be much better than today. And then we’ve got a massive game at home to Ayr. Today’s result take a little bit of pressure off but we need to keep looking for the wins.”

Graham, believes that Gala will have a stronger squad for the last two matches.

“Chris Weir coming back is a good bonus plus we have second 15 lads stepping up and that keeps up the competition for places,” added the Gala scrum half.

For Hawick defeat by such a narrow margin hurt but in the cold light of day the Greens can reflect on a display the was combative, courageous and skilful that allowed Hawick to take the lead twice in the match.

“In the 25 minutes bridging the two halves we played better rugby than we’ve played all season and the comeback we staged and the two tries were all down to trying to play rugby,” said Hawick coach Phil Leck.

“And then you get a second half when one side just wants to be totally negative. But fair play to them they’ve got a good set piece and that’s the key to a lot of things.”

Gala, aiming for a league and cup double this season, were massive favourites coming into the Mansfield clash and seem to confirm the pundits’ view in the opening quarter when their dominant play propelled the Maroons into a 12-0 lead with a Grant Somerville try and then a penalty try converted by Ewan Scott.

Hawick, however, found a desire to hit back and were rewarded with a try in the corner by Lee Armstrong from a tapped penalty move. Just before half time Blacklock took a reverse pass from Greg Cottrell to plunge over for his side’s second try, Neil Renwick’s conversion levelling the scores at 12-12.

Two minutes into the second half Renwick gave Hawick the lead with a penalty goal but Gala replied with a close range try from Gary Graham converted by Scott. The second of two penalties by Renwick restored Hawick’s lead only for the Greens to be hit with a ‘lazy runner’ penalty that allowed Scott to kick for victory.

Hawick: L Armstrong; N Walker, J Johnstone, G Johnstone, N Renwick; R Hutton, G Cottrell; S Muir, R Graham, W Blacklock, R McAlpine, B McNeil, S Graham, R Scott, K Davies. Subs used: L Graham, L Launders, N McLeod.

Gala: A McLean; G Sibanda, C Auld, E Scott, G Somerville; D O’Hagan, George Graham; R Sutherland, C MacIntosh, E Johnstone, C Borthwick, O Palepoi, Gary Graham, S Cairns, E Dods. Subs used: C Hogg, C Weir, G Speirs, G Mein.

Referee J Matthew

THE recent success of the Scots/British team in Sochi has shot the sport of curling well and truly into the limelight.

And at Border Ice Rink, Kelso, a new wave of future champions are taking to the ice, as well as those who just want to try out and enjoy a new activity.

The Curling Development Group are holding a series of Try Curling sessions to coincide with the Winter Olympics and sessions are available, free of charge, on Monday, February 24 (4.45pm - 6.15pm); Saturday, March 1 (9.15am-11:30am and 1.30pm-3.30pm); Thursday, March 6 (12.15pm-1.45pm).

For further information or to register please contact Liz Cullen at liz@royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org or telephone 01573 224 744/07745 428 130. Website: www.bordericerink.co.uk

Read more in next week’s Southern Reporter.

Spirited Duns put in a determined performance against the East League Division 1 champions at the Hardens.

Although the unbeaten visitors were on the front foot for most of the game, the home side defended well and refused to cave in under pressure.

Preston Lodge were made to work hard for their three tries in windy conditions to maintain their 100 per cent record, but for only the second time in the league this season they failed to secure a four-try bonus point.

No8 Jason Riley scored the only try of the first half before Paul Voy crashed over early in the second half to double the lead.

Duns refused to wilt, however, and it took a late score in the corner from winger David Lockie to seal the win.

The Tory party’s first open primary election of a Westminster party candidate in Scotland saw John Lamont MSP selected in Kelso on Sunday evening.

Around 300 people – party members and other Borders residents – attended the question and answer sessions, followed by ballot voting in the Tait Hall, to choose between Scottish Borders Councillor Michelle Ballantyne and the local MSP to fight the Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk seat in the 2015 General Election.

Conservatives say the area is one of their target seats in Scotland and they used the new process to make candidate selection more transparent and allow others to be involved.

Mr Lamont said: “I am delighted to have won the first open primary in Scotland to become the parliamentary candidate for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk.

“It was overwhelming to see so many people turn out to get involved in this important process.”

Daily Telegraph journalist Alan Cochrane chaired the event, asking the candidates submitted questions along with his own, and taking questions from the audience. He spoke first to Mrs Ballantyne.

Issues covered included Scottish independence, same sex marriage, whether the candidates are career politicians, the ‘toxic’ Tory brand in Scotland, Thatcherism, Scottish Parliament powers, why there are few women in Tory politics, immigration, EU membership, whether the candidates would go against the party whip and local issues of Borders railway and town centres.

After the count, Mrs Ballantyne said: “I’m happy we have got a good candidate to run in the election and go forward and win the seat in 2015, that’s the main thing. I’m going to get on with the business of being in the council.”

Scottish Borders Conservative and Unionist Association vice chairman, Neil Stratton, said: “We see this primary as a way of opening up to voters: this is a way we can show them what we are and they can come and listen to the candidates and make up their own mind. We are only going to win the seat if we win some Liberal votes.”

His chairman Robert-Miller-Bakewell said: “It’s been an outstanding success. We’ve raised the profile (of the party locally) and ratcheted up pressure on our political opponents.”

Local MSP since 2007, Mr Lamont is also the Scottish Tories’ Chief Whip and Parliamentary Business Manager.

The 2015 General Election will be his third attempt to win the seat from Liberal Democrat MP Michael Moore – he contested in 2005 and 2010. In the 2010 election he increased his share of the vote by 6.8 per cent.

The secret plans for a new £40m development near Jedburgh, first revealed by The Southern on Thursday, have now been confirmed as a scheme for a distillery.

Fronted by former Scotland and British Lions rugby legend, Finlay Calder, the proposals for the site of the former Jedforest Hotel, were outlined to local stakeholders

at a meeting in nearby Glendouglas Hall on Thursday night.

Edinburgh-based Mossburn Distillers Ltd, the company behind a proposed new whisky distillery on Skye , is behind what would be the first whisky distillery in the Borders.

The proposals, which also include a visitor centre and restaurant, are now with Scottish Borders Council for consideration.

Local MSP John Lamont has welcomed the proposals, which it is hoped would create up to 50 jobs.

“These plans represent a simply phenomenal investment in the Borders, and show that our region is still an attractive place for large companies to put money into,” said Mr Lamont.

“The proposals put forward by Mossburn Distillers are extremely exciting and would provide a huge boost to the Borders economy.

“Not only would it see tens of millions of pounds invested in the Jedburgh area, it would create several job opportunities for those living nearby.

“In addition to the increase in tourism we would undoubtedly receive, I am very hopeful that this development will prove to be great news for the Borders.”

Passengers using the new Borders railway will be able to travel from end to end for less than £10.

That was the news this morning from Transport Scotland, as it counts down to next year’s opening of the link from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

Transport Scotland says it has designed its recommended fares structure for the services to ensure ticket prices are in line with those elsewhere on the network, with the average fare across the Borders railway working out at just £3.50.

There will be two trains per hour in each direction throughout peak times with an hourly service on Sundays in the timetable, which has been designed to also provide connectivity to the rest of the Scottish rail network.

And the timetable will serve everyone from early birds to night hawks with a 5.20am service from Tweedbank arriving in Edinburgh at 6.15am, and the latest train on the line leaving Waverley station at 23.55 for a 00.52am arrival at Tweedbank.

Tom Curry, Vice-Chairman for Campaign for Borders Rail, says the fare structure coupled with the half-hourly timetable will make the railway competitive with bus and car and should encourage a large number of people to switch to using the train.

Berwick Rangers A 4 Hawick Royal Albert 2

EOS FIRST DIVISION

WIND assisted Hawick sailed ahead midway through the first half when Kevin Strathdee produced the scoring touch.

Within minutes however, Dean Carse put Berwick on level terms in taking advantage of a defensive misunderstanding between Albert pair Sean Fallan and Kevin Fettes. Strathdee duly put Hawick ahead again before the break.

With the elements in their favour in the second period, Berwick began to step up their game and after taking on two men Ryan Brady stuck away an equaliser.

From here on Berwick were in control and Carse put the homesters ahead in beating Albert keeper Andy Jack with a lobbed shot.

Brady then brought an end to the scoring with the goal of the game when he hit the net with a glorious shot on the volley.

Hawick Waverley 3 Mayfield Easthouses 1

SOUTH CUP QUARTER-FINAL

TWO first half goals from midfield ace Peter Gellaitry helped guide Waverley into the semi-finals of the South of Scotland Cup.

Despite facing a strong swirling wind, Waverley set the early pace and in the opening exchanges came near to breaking the deadlock.

Finding space down the left Scott Craig whipped over a cross which found Neal McConnell who rattled in a shot that Mayfield keeper Barry Lindley did well to block.

In the 9th minute however, Waverley did find the net.

Craig once again did the spade work with a run down the flank and with the Mayfield defence at sixes and sevens cut the ball to Peter Gellaitry who finished well.

After Darren Munro had missed a good chance to increase the home side’s lead, when shooting straight at Lindley from a Craig pass, Sean Dillon came near to putting Mayfield on level terms when heading a Duncan Morrison free kick over the bar.

Waverley were then unfortunate not to add to their tally.

Neal McConnell beat Lindley in getting his head to a Craig corner kick, only to see his effort cleared off the goal line.

With a minute of the first period left Waverley went further ahead. Latching onto the ball in midfield, Gellaitry unleashed a rasping drive that sailed high into the net.

Mayfield began the second half in sprightly fashion and in a matter of minutes Darren Mitchell, Mark Moncur and Martin Hughes all squandered chances.

In the 56th minute however, the visitors fell into further arrears when Munro got himself on the Waverley score sheet in driving home a Taylor Hope pass.

Although three goals behind, Mayfield continued to battle and seven minutes from time got a reward for their efforts.

Hughes emerging the Mayfield marksman in slotting away a Moncur cross.

In the closing stages Mayfield were reduced to ten men due to the red carding of Liam Hall.

A businessman who revived a 100-year-old Coldstream blend of whisky using his great-grandfather’s recipe has announced plans to build a distillery in Walkerburn.

Alasdair Day has opened talks with investors in a bid to raise the £5million he needs for the project in Walkerburn, which has the potential to create up to 14 jobs.

The news follows last week’s announcement from Mossburn Distillers of plans to build a £40 million distillery at the Jedforest Hotel south of Jedburgh in a project being led by former Scotland rugby captain Finlay Calder.

Day’s firm, The Borders Distilling Company, has now identified a site in the village and, if everything goes to plan, the first spirit could be launched in 2018.

He said: “It’s an opportunity for me to take my whisky home to the Borders.”

The Ministry of Defence has apologised and agreed compensation over the death of Hawick soldier, Private Jason Smith, a decade ago in Iraq.

The MoD has also acknowledged the difficulties Mrs Smith has had trying to obtain information in relation to the circumstances of his death.

It also apologised for the loss of his medical records, and acknowledged Private Smith’s commitment and dedicated service to the Territorial Army.

After the settlement, Mrs Smith said it had been a long fight for information.

“I am glad that the Ministry of Defence has finally acknowledged that there was a missed opportunity to intervene, and the risks that contributed to Jason’s death could have been reduced,” she said.

The widest range of fake and illicit materials to be seen in Scotland is to be unveiled at a major conference which aims to highlight the dangers to public safety and the threat to Scottish businesses from the spread of the illegal trade.

Organised by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, the event in Edinburgh will bring together police, trading standards, government and industry to call for Scotland to become a hostile environment for serious organised crime by encouraging the public to stop buying counterfeit and illicit items.

The council’s head of engineering and infrastructure has been commended for his dedication to the Borders during a 37-year career.

Robert Young has been named the winner of the Richard Hill Award, presented each year to a member of staff within the environment and infrastructure department who has made a notable contribution.

Mr Young, from Kelso, was employed by Borders Regional Council in September 1977 and has been involved in a number of major projects, including A7 improvements between Selkirk and Hawick, the Newtown bypass, initial stages of the three high school projects, flood protection schemes and advanced works for the Borders Railway.

Earlier this month, he took up a secondment role with the Scottish Government in its roll-out of superfast broadband in rural areas of the country, but before he left he was handed the Richard Hill Quaich by executive member for roads and infrastructure, Councillor Gordon Edgar.

Rob Dickson, director of the environment and infrastructure department, paid tribute to Mr Young’s work, in particular his support for young staff in his role as the Institution of Civil Engineers’ supervising engineer.

Mr Dickson said: “Robert has always been a manager who has developed a culture of team building.

“This created a strong bond between staff under his stewardship that embedded a culture of working together to resolve problems and this has benefitted the council in difficult times over the years.

“His open door policy to support staff has brought out the best in individuals to deliver outputs for the council, but also fulfil the individual’s potential.”

Richard Hill was previously a director of technical services at SBC and on his retirement he gifted a quaich to be awarded on an annual basis.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the Borders increased by 127 in January compared to the end of 2013 , according to the latest statistics.

It is the third consecutive monthly increase, but last month’s figure is 268 below the January 2013 one.

Of the 1,834 Borderers recorded as claiming the unemployment benefit last month, just over 1,000 had been doing so for less than six months.

Gala went 12-0 up inside 20 minutes with the strong wind advantage against Hawick at Mansfield Park on Saturday but back came Hawick to tie the scores at 12-12 at the break and it was game on in the second half.

Earlier in the day Jed-Forest won a tight game in the Border League 29-27 v Kelso winning the try count 4-3 while, on Friday night, Peebles and Biggar drew 14-14 at The Gytes.

Highlights of all three games are available here.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a house was broken into at Innerleithen on Monday evening (Feb 24). The incident happened between 6.40pm and 9.40pm at a property on Leithen Mills. A quantity of jewellery was stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.

The dawn of the Chinese Year of the Horse has brought out the best in some of the youngest budding Borders artists in a poster competition.

More than 100 youngsters from primary schools around the region took part in the annual competition, aimed at helping celebrate Chinese New Year.

Youngsters at Broughton Primary pulled out all the stops with their efforts being rewarded with first and second place.

First prize went to Isobel Devine from the school’s primary seven class, while second spot went to primary seven classmate Ruairidh McGarry-Watson .

Third place went to Robyn McInally, from Lilliesleaf Primary’s P7 class, while a special award went to Dylan Crozier, from primary one at Howdenburn Primary School in Jedburgh.

Steve Kwan, chairman of the Borders Chinese Cultural Association which organises the annual poster competition, says the event gets more and more popular each year.

“It was fantastic to see so many pupils entering the competition and from schools right across the Borders region,” he told The Southern.

“The judges found it very difficult to make a decision on the winner, such was the very high standard.

“They needed a lot of time to complete their deliberations.”
Mr Kwan said it is heartening to see so many youngsters and their schools help support a cultural event like Chinese New Year.

“Mr Tan, from the new Beijing Beijing restaurant in Galashiels now has the top four posters on display in the restaurant so everyone can see just what a high standard was involved.”

TENANTS of Scottish Borders Housing Association who are seeking work will receive more help in finding a job or training opportunities following a successful application for funding.

SBHA has received a funding award from the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund and the Department of Work and Pensions for a new two year project to employ a specialist employability advisor to work with young, unemployed tenants.

The advisor will provide one-to-one advice and support to address barriers to work, help tenants prepare for work and assist them in finding job and training opportunities.

SBHA already offers tenants free welfare benefits advice and money management support.

Maria Lyle, SBHA’s director of housing, said: “Supporting the needs of SBHA tenants and their communities is one of our main priorities and we are delighted that the Scottish Government and the DWP are supporting this service.

“Tenants who are struggling to find jobs talk to us about the barriers and difficulties they face; this new service to SBHA tenants responds directly to their concerns.”

Nicola McIlwraith, the housing association’s revenue income manager added: “The employability project builds on our approach to financial inclusion for SBHA tenants, broadening the services we provide to tenants and expanding our capacity to provide support and create sustainable communities.

“From April this year, this project will support young tenants aged 18-24 who are out of work by coaching them through a tailored programme to help them overcome the barriers they face in accessing employment and further develop their skills, such as CV writing, interview skills and job search.”

The advisor will also work with employers and other agencies across the region to maximise routes to employment including education, work placements and apprenticeships.

AN IT consultant was today jailed for 44 months for killing a Kelso husband and wife in a head-on crash.

James Mitchell, 48, from Bo’ness, West Lothian, admitted causing the deaths of grandparents Derek and Avril Peoples by dangerous driving.

Mitchell’s Hyundai i30 car smashed into Mr Peoples’ Kia on the A697 near Carfraemill while on the wrong side of the road overtaking a lorry on December 23, 2012.

The Peoples, married for 31 years, were returning from a weekend visiting friends when the collision happened. They died within an hour of each other.

Mitchell admitted to police at the scene that he caused the crash, saying: “It was me, yes.”

He has described his overtaking manoeuvre as “a colossal error in judgement” and has vowed that he will never drive again.

Sentencing Mitchell at the High Court in Glasgow, judge John Beckett QC told him: “I accept you have shown and felt real remorse. It is clear that you are highly regarded by your family and those you worked for. You have raised money for charity and your driving is described as normally careful and responsible.”

But judge Beckett added: “When you began to overtake the lorry you could not have had a clear view. You made an extremely rash and dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.

“Mr Peoples, who was 
driving in the opposite direction, found himself with nowhere to go. He and his wife had no warning there was about to be a head-on crash.”

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, told the court that the collision happened seconds after Mitchell pulled out to overtake a lorry.

Solicitor advocate Euan Roy, defending, said: “At the time he thought he was able to see the road in front of him and that gave him a false sense of confidence.

“Once he had committed to the manoeuvre there was no way to get back in. This was a momentary lapse.

“He is very remorseful.”