cricket

Saturday, may 31

ESCL DIVISION ONE

Gala (20) beat Marchmont (5) by 71 runs. At Meigle Park

Gala

S. Halls, b M. Loeffen 15

J. Halls, c&b P. Rees 13

D. Tharanga, c&b D. Sardesai 1

D. Millar, c D. Sardesai, b S. Marr 37

D. Boland, c G. Wilson, b P. Rees 0

N. Crooks, b M. Loeffen 45

A. Oliver, c D. Sardesai, b S. Marr 1

K. Paterson, b M. Loeffen 8

R. Pringle, b V. Jalagandeeswaran 5

R. Irvine, not out 0

D. Moir, c S. Peachey, b M. Loeffen 0

Extras26

Total all out (49 overs) 152

Bowling: M. Loeffen 4-19, V. Jalagandeeswaran 1-21, D. Sardesai 1-16, P. Rees 2-35, S. Marr 2-26, W. Collier 0-25.

Marchmont

P. Rees, b D. Tharanga 11

S. Peachey, c K. Paterson, b D. Tharanga 1

M. Loeffen, c R. Pringle, b D. Moir2

W. Collier, c R. Pringle, b D. Moir 16

A. Sardesai, c D. Millar, b N. Crooks 8

M. Ahmed, b R. Pringle 14

N. Chetty, c R. Irvine, b R. Pringle 20

V. Jalagandeeswaran, b R. Pringle 0

G. Wilson, c K. Paterson, b R. Pringle 0

D. Sardesai, c D. Boland, b R. Irvine 3

S. Marr, not out 0

Extras6

Total all out (33.1 overs) 81

Bowling: D. Tharanga 2-19, D. Moir 2-22, N. Crooks 1-17, R. Pringle 4-21, R. Irvine 1-0.

St Boswells (20) beat Dunfermline (4) by 6 wkts. 
At The Green

Dunfermline

J. Lowe, run out (R. Graham) 19

Q. Khan, b R. Elms 1

H. Shahzad, lbw b E. Ruthven 6

A. Alitabasum, c R. Graham, b R. Young 21

A. Amir, c C. Paterson, b R. Young 8

W. Ahmed, c R. Young, b K. White 50

M. Rasheed, b K. White 5

P. Hussain, b R. Elms 14

B. Brown, lbw b K. White 0

U. Awais, not out 2

T. Gibson, b R. Elms 5

Extras 10

Total all out (46.3 overs) 141

Bowling: R. Elms 3-16, E. Ruthven 1-17, C. McNeill 0-43, R. Young 2-23, M. Williams 0-26, K. White 3-14.

St Boswells

E. Ruthven, c A. Alitabasum, b B Brown 52

J. Glover, c A. Amir, b B. Brown 58

S. Broom, b W. Ahmed 16

M. Williams, not out 2

R. Young, b W. Ahmed 0

R. Graham, not out 2

Extras 12

Total for 4 (33.3 overs) 142

Bowling: W. Ahmed 2-28, A. Amir 0-34, A. Alitabasum 0-15, P. Hussain 0-37, M. Rasheed 0-12, B. Brown 2-13.

P W t L PTS %

East Knights U18 1 1 0 0 20 100.00

Edinburgh CC 5 5 0 0 100 100.00

Heriots 2 6 4 0 2 98 81.67

Edinburgh Accies 3 2 0 1 44 73.34

Marchmont 5 3 0 2 68 68.00

Gala 4 2 0 2 50 62.50

Musselburgh 4 2 0 2 46 57.50

St Boswells 5 2 0 3 54 54.00

Largo 5 2 0 3 53 53.00

Watsonians 2 4 0 0 4 27 33.75

Dunfermline 4 0 0 4 23 28.75

Saturday’s fixtures: Dunfermline v Gala, Edinburgh CC v Musselburgh, Heriots 2 v Marchmont, St Boswells v Edinburgh Accies, Watsonians 2 v Largo.

Sunday: Edinburgh CC v Eastern Knights Under 18.

ESCL DIVISION two

Kelso (20) beat Broomhall (5) by 12 runs. At Kelso

Kelso

D. Wilson, lbw b J. Chalmers 3

M.I. Henderson, b I. Ward 4

S. Cessford, b J. Chalmers 0

B.M. Grindell, b M. Begg 0

J.W. Gibson, c Unknown, b J. Dickinson 35

E.L. McNeill, c S. Whait, b D. Smith 14

P. Dunkley, c R. Grant, b J. Dickinson 4

G.J. Davidson, st S. Whait, b J. Dickinson 0

F. Sultan, b J. Chalmers 9

M. Scott, c Unknown, b D. Smith 6

C. Davidson not out 3

Extras 9

Total all out (34 overs) 86

Bowling: I. Ward 1-5, J. Chalmers 3-7, M. Begg 1-15,D. Smith 2-26, J. Dickinson 3-31.

Broomhall

J. Dickinson, b G.J. Davidson 17

S. Whait, b J.W. Gibson 11

R. Grant, lbw b J.W. Gibson 2

J. Grant, b G.J. Davidson 3

M. Begg, run out 3

I. Ward, b F. Sultan 0

M. Ali, lbw b M. Scott 7

M. Jones, b M. Scott 3

J. Chalmers, run out 9

M. Goodchild, c J.W. Gibson b M. Scott 5

D. Smith, not out 3

Extras11

Total all out (48 overs) 74

Bowling: S. Cessford 0-14, J.W. Gibson 2-12, G.J. Davidson 2-13, F. Sultan 1-8, M. Scott 3-12, B.M. Grindell 0-10.

P W t L PTS %

Dunnikier 5 5 0 0 100 100.00

Kelso 4 4 0 0 80 100.00

SMRH 2 5 3 0 2 73 73.00

Broomhall 5 3 0 2 70 70.00

Clackmannan Co 4 2 0 2 56 70.00

West Lothian 2 4 2 0 2 54 67.50

Livingston 4 2 0 2 49 61.25

Leith FAB 4 1 0 3 30 37.50

Fauldhouse 4 0 0 4 18 22.50

MDAFS 2 5 0 0 5 18 18.00

Saturday’s fixtures: Broomhall v Dunnikier, Clackmannan Co v MDAFS 2, Fauldhouse v Leith FAB, Kelso v West Lothian 2, SMRH 2 v Livingston.

ESCL DIVISION four

Selkirk (20) beat Edinburgh South 2 (5) by 6 wkts. 
At Philiphaugh

Edinburgh South 2

L. Johnson, c G. Fenton, b D. Fenton 27

R. Naresh, b K. Paterson 0

M. Varshney, c G. Fenton, b J. Reid 47

M. Shukla, c A. McKirgan, b R. Banks 13

G. Smith, b R. Banks 0

A. Narang, c&b J. Everitt 5

R. Byford, not out 36

S. Vivek, b K. Paterson 2

A. Barker, b K. Paterson 0

A. Smith, not out 0

Extras 6

Total for 8 (45 overs) 133

Bowling: K. Paterson 3-28, J. Reid 1-34, G. Fenton 0-21, D. Fenton 1-9, R. Banks 2-28, J. Everitt 1-8.

Selkirk

J. Everitt, c L. Johnson, b M. Varshney 32

G. Fenton, run out 43

S. Skeldon, c L. Johnson, b A. Smith 7

D. Fenton, not out 32

K. Paterson, c A. Barker, b R. Byford 4

R. Banks, not out 7

Extras 9

Total for 4 (31 overs) 134

Bowling: L. Johnson 0-27, M. Shukla 0-29, M. Varshney 1-22, A. Smith 1-16, R. Naresh 0-11, R. Byford 1-9, A. Narang 0-13.

P W t L PTS %

Grange 3 2 2 0 0 40 100.00

RHC 2 3 3 0 0 60 100.00

Selkirk 5 4 0 1 85 85.00

Holy Cross 2 5 3 1 1 84 84.00

Watsonians 3 3 2 0 1 43 71.67

Largo 2 5 2 0 3 56 56.00

Preston Village 4 1 1 2 43 53.75

Dunfermline Car 5 1 0 4 43 43.00

Edinburgh South 2 4 0 0 4 23 28.75

Stirling Co 3 2 0 0 2 7 17.50

Saturday’s fixtures: Edinburgh South 2 v Dunfermline Carnegie, Largo 2 v Preston Village, RHC 2 v Holy Cross 2, Stirling Co 3 v Selkirk.

Sunday: Watsonians 3 v Grange 3.

ESCL DIVISION five

Livingston 2 (20) beat Peebles County (7) by 7 wkts. 
At Cavalry Park

Peebles County

P. Murray, c G. Dunn, b A. Raza 36

J. Pace, b A. Brar 9

P. Caddick, not out 113

R. Waddell, c A. Brar, b J. Jarvis 28

O. Rimmer, run out (A. Raza) 6

P. Walker, not out 2

Extras 16

Total for 4 (45 overs) 207

Bowling: A. Brar 1-10, A. Raza 1-63, M. Collings 0-15, N. Jarvis 0-32, J. Jarvis 1-39, M. Ahmed 0-42.

Livingston 2

M. Ahmed, c J. Slater, b P. Caddick 35

N. Jarvis, c J. Pace, b R. Waddell 114

M. Collings, c O. Rimmer, b N. Burns 0

A. Brar, not out 27

M. Paton, not out 4

Extras19

Total for 3 (36.5 overs) 209

Bowling: S. Slater 0-54, O. Rimmer 0-40, P. Caddick 1-29, R. Waddell 1-46, N. Burns 1-34.

P W t L PTS %

Glenrothes 2 4 4 0 0 80 100.00

Marchmont 2 5 4 0 1 88 88.00

S&S Penicuik 2 5 4 0 1 86 86.00

MDAFS 3 5 3 0 2 74 74.00

Peebles County 5 2 0 3 58 58.00

Drummond Trin 2 5 2 0 3 56 56.00

Livingston 2 5 2 0 3 53 53.00

Falkland 3 6 2 0 4 63 52.50

Edinburgh Ac 2 5 2 0 3 49 49.00

Boroughmuir 2 5 0 0 5 18 18.00

Saturday’s fixtures: Boroughmuir 2 v Drummond Trinity 2, Livingston 2 v Glenrothes 2, MDAFS 3 v Edinburgh Ac 2, Marchmont 2 v Peebles County, Stuart&Stuart Penicuik 2 v Falkland 3.

ESCL DIVISION six

Melrose (20) beat Teuchters (7) by 1 wkt. At Melrose

Teuchters

G. Inch, c S. Hosney, b C. Green 34

E. Jones, c&b S. Hosney 0

M. Newberry, c C. Green, b C. Howard 12

C. Robertson, lbw b C. Green 2

T. Southgate, c&b C. Howard 1

J. Gray, c W. Owen, b T. Brown 7

T. Gardiner, lbw b C. Green 2

R. Bartsch, c S. Hosney, b B. Scott 33

J. Mackenzie, c C. Green, b B. Scott 4

A. Robarts, c C. Green, b C. Howard 0

R. Styles, not out 0

Extras 7

Total all out (27.1 overs) 105

Bowling: J. Loftus 0-35, S. Hosney 1-10, C. Howard 3-21, C. Green 3-13, T. Brown 1-10, B. Scott 2-12.

Melrose

C. Green, c J. Mackenzie, b R. Styles 27

B. Scott, lbw b R. Styles 6

S. Hosney, c R. Styles, b J. Gray 37

F. Alden, c E. Jones, b T. Gardiner 1

J. Loftus, c A. Robarts, b J. Gray 8

W. Owen, c&b J. Gray 2

D. Rhatigan, b J. Gray 2

A. Wolfe Murray, c T. Southgate, b E. Jones 1

A. Hosney, c&b R. Styles 0

T. Brown, not out 7

C. Howard, not out 4

Extras 11

Total for 9 (40 overs) 106

Bowling: R. Styles 3-9, E. Jones 1-22, J. Mackenzie 0-24, A. Robarts 0-13, T. Gardiner 1-17, J. Gray 4-18.

Hawick & Wilton (20) beat West Lothian 3 (5) by 149 runs. At Gyle Park 2

Hawick & Wilton

E. Hair, run out 10

R. Alexander, c A. Napoli, b A. Blumski 37

A. Moffat, b S. Patrick 10

P. Solley, c Unknown, b S. Patrick 52

S. Hair, c C. Anderson, b S. Patrick 1

P. MacTaggart, st R. Corner, b J. Corner 25

N. Storey, not out 21

L. Stewart, c A. Napoli, b J. Corner 0

C. MacDougall, lbw b J. Corner 2

R. Johnston, b J. Corner 0

B. MacTaggart, not out 7

Extras 29

Total for 9 (40 overs) 194

Bowling: D. Brown 0-29, A. Blumski 1-31, S. Patrick 3-40, M. Norris 0-18, C. Anderson 0-36, K. Smith 0-17, J. Corner 4-12.

West Lothian 3

A. Whitton, lbw b S. Hair 1

R. Corner, c Unknown, b L. Stewart 6

J. Smith, run out 1

K. Smith, c Unknown, b S. Hair 14

M. Norris, c Unknown, b S. Hair 0

A. Napoli, c Unknown, b R. Johnston 5

J. Corner, c Unknown, b S. Hair 0

C. Anderson, c Unknown, b R. Alexander 4

D. Brown, c Unknown, b S. Hair 1

A. Blumski, c Unknown, b R. Alexander 0

S. Patrick, not out 5

Extras4

Total all out (20.4 ovs) 45

Bowling: N. Storey 0-1, L. Stewart 1-21, S. Hair 5-6, R. Johnston 1-13, R. Alexander 2-1.

P W t L PTS %

Tranent 5 5 0 0 100 100.00

Edinburgh CC 2 5 4 0 1 89 89.00

Heriots 3 5 4 0 1 85 85.00

OCCC 5 4 0 1 85 85.00

Hawick & Wilton 6 3 0 3 77 64.17

Teuchters 5 2 0 3 63 63.00

Musselburgh 2 5 2 0 3 52 52.00

Melrose 4 1 0 3 36 45.00

Dunbar 5 0 0 5 32 32.00

West Lothian 3 5 0 0 5 25 25.00

Saturday’s fixtures: Melrose v West Lothian 3, Musselburgh 2 v Edinburgh CC 2, Teuchters v OCCC, Tranent v Heriots 3.

Sunday: Hawick & Wilton v Dunbar.

bowls

tuesday, may 27

border senior league

Buccleuch 47 Jedburgh 63

Gala 62 Wilton 57

Hawick 72 Newtown 40

Kelso 44 Peebles 55

Selkirk/Ettrick F 63 Abbotsford 47

P W D L F A Pts

Wilton 7 5 0 2 424 315 10

Earlston/Melrose 6 5 0 1 356 256 10

Jedburgh 6 4 0 2 350 312 8

Gala 6 4 0 2 337 304 8

Hawick 6 3 1 2 331 320 7

Kelso 6 3 0 3 295 311 6

Selkirk/Ettrick For 7 3 0 4 296 324 6

Buccleuch 7 2 1 4 377 368 5

Abbotsford 6 2 0 4 304 363 4

Peebles 7 2 0 5 265 364 4

Newtown 6 1 0 5 271 369 2

Up to date Border Bowling leagues not available as we went to press. We’ll update this online when it becomes available on www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk

tuesday, june 10

border senior league (11am)

Buccleuch v Earlston/Melrose

Gala v Jedburgh

Hawick v Abbotsford

Kelso v Newtown

Peebles v Wilton

wednesday, june 11

border league division one (7pm)

Ancrum v Wilton A

Hawick A v Kelso A

Lauder v Earlston

Melrose v Abbotsford A

Waverley A v Jedburgh

border league division two (7pm)

Buccleuch v Peebles

Newtown v Gala A

Selkirk v St Ronans

Stow v Ettrick Forest

border B league (7pm)

Gala B v Hawick B

Kelso B v Waverley B

Wilton B v Abbotsford B

Gala RFC sealed the closure of their 2013/14 season with the player of the year awards.

The timing of the awards was fitting as it fell on the weekend which would have seen the birthday of Edwin Garrett, who set up the trust which sponsors the player of the year award.

George Graham summarised the season as one that many clubs would be proud of, but emphasised that they need to dig deeper next season if they want to win the ultimate goal that is the league title.

Winners on the night were Young Player of the Year – Gregor Mein, Most Improved Player – Craig Borthwick, Players Player – Craig Borthwick, Gala A Player of the Year – Mark Kibble and Gala First XV Player of the Year – Rory Sutherland.

Pictured above are, from left, Gregor Mein, Rory Sutherland and Craig Borthwick.

Sports digest

Archery

Ettrick Forest

This weekend, the club hosts a double BLBS competition, with a Western round target shoot in the Saturday (June 7) and a BLBS clout shoot on the Sunday.

The best longbow archers from clubs across the country will be in attendance and first arrows on both days will be fired at 11am. Spectators welcome.

Bowling

Border Ladies

Week three: Ettrick Forest 20 Buccleuch 31 (2:3); Gala 26 Wilton 31 (2:3) ; Waverley 32 Selkirk 14 (5:0); Jedburgh 29 Melrose 26 (5:0); Kelso 26 Lauder 20 (5:0); Hawick 53 Newtown 21 (5:0). Abbotford bye.

Week four: Melrose 25 Kelso 25 (2.5:2.5); Newtown 31 Jedburgh 27 (3:2); Selkirk v Hawick rescheduled; Wilton 32 Waverley 25 (3:2); Buccleuch 28 Gala 29 (2:3); Abbotsford 22 Ettrick Forest 33 (2:3). Lauder bye.

Hawick

The A team travelled to play Ancrum last Monday and came away with an excellent 86-79 victory, with Mark Reilly making his debut for the A side.

Top rink on the night for Hawick was the L. Clarkson skipped rink.

The next day, the seniors played their counterparts from Newtown and also had a comfortable victory by 72-40. Top rink on the day was the Bobby McDonald skipped rink.

The Wednesday league matches scheduled to be played at Hawick and Kelso were cancelled due to both greens being waterlogged, and will be arranged for later dates.

Henderson Trophy

Borders played East Lothian in pleasant conditions at Cockenzie and Port Seton.

After a steady start, East Lothian edged ahead and stayed there, winning 124-110. The Borderers will be hoping for better fortune on Saturday when they play West Lothian at Melrose.

Langholm

Old Town Invitation Triples: A. & C. Elliot & D. Hetherington (Newcastleton) beat A. & K. Brady & M. Harkness (Gretna) in the final, after an extra end. Semi-finalists: S. McKenzie, B. O’Hara and T. Latimer; and D. Ritchie, A. Aitken and I. Scott. There were 21 entries.

Factory Cup Triples, May 31: 1, Morrison’s Garage (T. & S. Morrison and M. Borthwick); 2, Legion (S. & L. Roebuck and I. Patterson.

Selkirk

Open Triples, sponsored by Ben and Jean Wallis, May 31: In a good final that went to an extra end, S. Hislop, S. Henderson and J. Jackson defeated D. Carruthers, G, Munro and J, Turnbull. Beaten semi-finalists were Athelstaneford 1 and a triple skipped by H.Bell. The club would like to thank Ben and Jean for their continued sponsorship.

Ladies’ Three-bowl pairs, June 1: M. Milne and E. Gardiner beat E. Clapperton and J. Scott.

Golf

Cardrona

The course record was broken last week at the Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Spa ... by a 17-year-old. Glasgow’s George Burns recorded the record round of 67 on the way to lifting the Under-18 boys’ Stephen Gallacher Foundation Trophy, contested by 60 of Scotland’s top young golfers.

Galashiels

Kenny Hood Pairs, May 31: 1, K. W. Simpson & A. Simpson 133; 2, H. Carruthers & A. Temple 135; 3, I. Gillie & J. Gillie III 135.

Jedburgh

McTavish Trophy: 1, J. Hogg 77 (12) 65; 2, G. Johnstone 74 (7) 67; 3, P. Richards 79 (11) 68.

Jubilee Cup: 1, M. Smail 109 (34) 75; 2, E. Raeburn 99 (23) 76; 3, M. Forsythe 107 (23) 84.

Kelso

Bert Taylor Trophy, May 28: 1, R. Cowe 35 points, 2=, B. Taylor (Blair Quaich), I. Symons (Dave Cowe Salver) & J. A. Anderson 34 points.

Roxburghe Cup, May 31: 1, S. Pettigrew 69 (6) 63; 2, T. Pringle 69 (5) 64; 3=, K. Swinton 76 (11) 65, C. Cockburn 80 (15) 65 & J. Hughes 83 (18) 65.

Ladies’ SLGA Medal, May 27: 1, S. Paterson 76 (5) 71 (bih); 2, L. Wilson 80 (9) 71.

Ladies’ Open Greensomes, for the Nancy Scott Trophy, June 1: 1, L. Wilson & J. Anderson 74 (5.6) 68.4; 2, S. Paterson & A. Mitchell 79 (8.2) 70.8. Nearest pin 2nd, J. Corbett (Torwoodlee), nearest pin 15th, J. Anderson (Hawick), longest drive 13th, L. Wilson (silver), D. Pringle (bronze).

Nancy Scott Salver, sponsored by W. J. Blair, May 30: 1, L. Anderson and I. Thompson 86 (17.5); 2, G. and D. Herriot 88 (18) 70; 3, P. Robson & G. Webb 89 (15.5) 73.5. Scratch, S. Paterson and T. Pringle 76.

Entries are still being taken for the Gents Seniors Open which will be held on Thursday, June 12. Please email secretary@kelsogolfclub.co.uk or phone 01573 223009 to enter.

Lauder

Torwoodlee Pitcher, Sunday, May 25: 1, R. Malcolm 85 (15) 70; 2, M. Whiteford 82 (9) 73; 3, M. Dunne 87 (10) 77; 4, B. Hunter 92 (12) 80.

Lewis Stableford, May 27: 1, E. Forsyth 36 pts (8); 2, .H. Moffat 34 pts (17); 3, D. McPherson 34 pts (13). 17 played. M. Dunne won the five-week rollover twos pot and was also first in the month with 76 points, with Harry Moffat second on 72 points.

Melrose

Captain’s Prizes: 1, R. Falconer 38 pts; 2, C.Creamer 38; 3, B.Neil 38pts; 4, G.Hogg 38 pts.

Gibson Trophy, May 20: 1, J. Shirra-Gibb (16) 43 pts; 2, A. Fleming (14) 36pts; 3, A. Holton (22) 33 pts.

Peugot Coronation Foursomes, May 27: 1, V. Hogg and A.Holton (32 pts); 2, M. Scully and L. Bryce (29 pts).

Minto

Gents’ Stableford and Marie Curie Trophy, May 27 : 1, D. Howden 38 pts (after countback); 2, R. Taylor 38; 3, R. Elliot 37. Congratulations to Marc Scott, who had a hole in one on the fourth.

Ladies’ Salver No 3 May 28: Handicap – 1, L. Lendrum 102 (29) 73; 2, F. Robertson 108 (32) 76; 3, L. Bruce 98 (21) 77 (after countback); 4, L. Geatons 100 (23) 77. Scratch, L. Moore 94.

Adults v Juniors 4 Ball Better Ball, May 30: This competition resulted in a decisive victory for the Juniors.

Gents’ June Medal, May 31: 1 N. Douglas 75 (11) 64 bl9; 2, C. Smith 71 (7) 64 bl9; 3, D. Whiteley 72 (8) 64; 4, F. Stevenson 81 –(16) 65.

Lady Captain’s Charity Stableford, June 1: 1, M. Towers 36 points; 2, J. Elliot 35; 3, S. Lees 34; 4, G. Cartwright 32. This event raised £130 for the Borders group of the Riding for the Disabled Association, based at Ancrum.

Gill Cartwright, the 2014 Lady Captain, expressed her gratitude to all who had helped to raise this sum for the RDA.

St Boswells

Championship qualifier (2)/ Skoda Trophy, May 31: 1, S. Brown 77 (16) 61; 2, G. Dalglish 75 (13) 62; 3, D. Johnston (75 (12) 63. CSS: 66. Scratch: 1, G. Hogg 71.

Ladies’ Holmes Cup 2, May 27: 1, R. Macdonald 10 up (19); 2, C. Hunter 1 down (35); 3, S. Gray 1 down (26).

Torwoodlee

Tuesday Order Of Merit, round four, May 27: 1, D. Catto 76 (14) 62; 2, T. Martin 79 (14) 65; 3, R. Lacon 70 (5) 65; Scratch, S. Fairburn 67bih. 53 played, CSS 69, 15 twos.

First qualifier, May 31: 1, J. Grierson 83 (19) 64; 2, D. Gillie 65 (1) 64; 3, J. Denham 72 (6) 66. CSS 69, 27 twos, 90 played.

Competition, Saturday, June 7: Belhaven Qualifier – enter online at Howdidido or via PSI terminal.

Homing

Earlston

Five members sent 73 birds to Peterborough, liberated at 9.15am into a west wind. Results: 1, 5, 9, A.Simpson 1259.07; 2, 3, 4, 7, W.Gray & Son 1196.21; 6, 8, A.Bain 1167.66; 10, S. Martin 1141.72.

Galashiels

Nine members sent 73 birds to Peterborough, a distance of 235 miles. Results: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Douglas & Spearman 1230.830; 6, 9, 10, B. Dixon 1172.007; 7, W. Henderson 1166.035; 8, W. Hopewell 1146.882.

Jedburgh

Two members sent 37 birds to Peterborough, a distance of 227 miles. Results: 1, 3, 4, 5, A, Agnew & Son 1259.070; 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, Mr & Mrs Simpson 1229.834.

Langholm

The club liberated 74 birds over 227 miles from Cheltenham last Saturday with no wind. Results: 1, W Irving 1208.946; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, R. V. Graham 1200.904; 9. A. Henderson 1081.640.

Squash

Galashiels

League 1 result: Ian Chalmers 3 Del Sharratt 0 (10-8, 10-8, 9-6).

Club night friendlies: M. Silies 2 R. McAleese 1; A. Gill 2 D. Sharratt 0; D. Sharratt 2 D. Mills 1; A. Gill 2 M. Silies 0; A. Gill 2 R. McAleese 0; D. Sharratt 2 M. Silies 0; D. Mills 2 R. McAleese 0; A. Gill 2 D. Mills 0.

Four Jed-Forest AC runners took the top spot at John Dixon Park on Sunday in the annual Markinch Highland Games.

They were: Eoin Lowther (90m sprint), Cameron Fisher (invitation sprint), Brodie Cowan (youths’ 200m) and Jack Amos (youths’ 1,600m).

It was a healthy return, inspiring coach Chico Woods to tell The Southern: “It was a lovely Highland surprise.”

A pair of 12-year-old Chirnside Chasers also did well in the East District Championships at Pitreavie.

On the Friday, Josh Abbott achieved a new PB of 27.50 seconds in the U13 boys 200m final and picked up a silver medal – a feat matched by Rory Williams in the U13 boys 800m final.

It was PBs galore for the Moorfoot runners who took part in the East District Championships at Pitreavie.

On a cool Friday evening, Beth Hobbs was four seconds inside her previous best to take an excellent bronze medal in the U13 girls’ 1,500m in 5 minutes and 21 seconds.

And team-mates Calum Johnson and Ethan Elder both smashed their PBs by huge margins, finishing midfield in the boys’ equivalent final, in 5.15 and 5.18 respectively. Zaynah Aziz was a bit short of her best and disappointed with her fifth place finish in 5.02 in the U15 girls’ 1,500m, but Ellie O’Hara was delighted with her first sub-30s run in the U13 girls’ 200m, only just missing out on the final.

On the Saturday, the PBs continued. Kobe Stevens was third fastest qualifier for the final of the U17 men’s 800m with a four-second 2.06 PB, only just losing out on bronze in the final after a shoulder-to-shoulder battle from 200m out.

Novice Charlotte Clare, having only her second ever race on the track, ran a highly commendable 10-second PB of 2.38 in the U13 girls’ 800m to qualify for the final where she came fifth. Zaynah Aziz qualified for the final of the U15 girls’ 800m in 2.29, but was again running well below her best, and with something clearly not right, she wisely withdrew from the final. Unfortunately, the Championship rules did not allow for the 7th fastest qualifier, clubmate Ailsa Innes, who had run a four-second PB of 2.31 in her heat, to step up to take her place in the final.

Niamh Shaw, with 2.32 in the U17 women’s 800m, and Sophie Collins with 2.29 in the U20 version, also both set PBs, but just missed out on qualifying for their respective finals, as did Ellie O’Hara in the U13 girls’ 100m.

Gala Harrier Dianne Lauder took an impressive sixth place in the senior women’s race as part of the weekend’s Great Trail Challenge in the Lake District, representing Scotland in this prestigious international event.

And up in Forgandenny, Perthshire, Gavin Bryson won the Strathallan five-mile race in 27 minutes 49 seconds, beating his dad Mark again by a margin and following up his excellent sixth place in the Edinburgh Marathon 10k the previous weekend in a time of 35.27.

Several Harriers had been in action in Edinburgh over the previous weekend as well, braving the elements. In his first marathon, Rory Campbell achieved a splendid 3 hours 34 minutes, with Elaine Johnston also running the 26.2 miles for the first time and finishing in 4.55.

In the half marathon, Judy Scott and Lynn Taylor finished together in two hours, with Anne Purves finding the going tough but hanging strong in 2.31.

Tweed Leader, Jed Track (TLJT) runners secured a total of seven medals and two places in the sprint finals at the recent East of Scotland Athletics Championships in Pitreavie.

First up at the Championships on the Friday evening was 16-year-old Jasmine Tomlinson, setting the standard by taking the silver medal in the girls’ U17 200m. Next came 19-year-old Adam Craig, who won the bronze in the Men’s U20 1,500m. A special mention goes to Christie Rout who managed to reach the final of the U13 girls’ 200m in a hugely competitive field.

The second day of the competition started well with the field events. Josh Dougall, 12, picked up gold in the shot putt, throwing 7.80m, and 11-year-old Adam Leighton secured the silver in the U13 boys high jump, equalling his PB of 1.40m in windy conditions. Both boys are ranked in the top five in Scotland in their respective disciplines.

Also on Saturday, another athlete who is high up the Scottish ranks, 15-year-old Emily Dagg did not disappoint, putting in a superb performance to enable her to pick up the silver medal in the U17 girls’ 100m. Another Scottish Indoor medalist, 13-year-old Laura Munro, acquitted herself very well, by making the U15 girls 100m final with a gutsy performance and a PB of 13.25 seconds, but narrowly missed out on a podium place.

Also producing the goods in the U13 boys’ 100m was 12-year-old Angus Bryce, powering down against some very stiff opposition, but holding his form to snatch the bronze medal with a PB of 13.57 and moving up the Scottish ranks.

Adam Craig wanted to go one better than his bronze in the 1,500m, so he ran superbly in the 800m to add another, this time silver, to his medal tally.

These athletes’ success bodes well for the coming season and is testament to the amount of hard work and dedication that is given by both the athletes and coaches Bruce Scott and Jock Steede.

A Kelso woman appeared in private accused of a benefits fraud totalling almost £30,000.

Janet Dodsworth, 47, is said to have obtained £23,800 in income support, and £5,600 in housing and council tax benefits to which she was not entitled.

The offence is alleged to have been committed between August 2007 and November 2011.

She made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination.

BEHAVIOUR ORDER

A former professional jockey was arrested after a heated argument with his partner who had objected to him going to the pub.

Liam Berridge, who used to race for top trainer Howard Johnston, appeared from custody and admitted a charge of shouting and swearing, and making offensive remarks at his home in Hawick on Sunday afternoon.

The 28-year-old, who works at a stable yard in Carluke, had earlier been out for a meal with his partner, but a row started as he wanted to go to another pub.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, said he was shouting obscenities at her and threatened to leave her and take all their money. When police arrived at the couple’s Waverley Cottages home, Berridge replied: “Can you not have an argument now?”

His lawyer, Ross Dow, said Berridge was a first offender and it was at the lower end of the scale as far as domestic arguments went.

Sheriff Craig Turnbull ordered Berridge to be of good behaviour for the next six months and deferred sentence until December 18.

GALASHIELS DRUGS OFFENDER

A Galashiels man found in possession of heroin and cannabis resin will be sentenced next month.

Darren Crawford, 30, pleaded guilty to the offences which were detected following a raid on his one-bedroom flat in Glendinning Terrace on March 6.

Tessa Bradley, prosecuting, said various drug paraphenalia were found, including scales, bags and a Kinder egg, as well as powder. It was later found to be £20 worth of heroin and up to £40 cannabis resin.

Sheriff Craig Turnbull called for a criminal justice social work report to be prepared and sentence was deferred until July 14.

LECTURER WAS DRINK-DRIVING

A university lecturer was almost five times the drink-drive limit when he was stopped in Selkirk’s Shawburn Road.

Patrick Harte, of Raeburn Place, Selkirk, who pleaded guilty, had a breath/alcohol reading of 161 micogrammes – the legal limit being 35 – on April 7.

The 50-year-old – who is a senior lecturer of business management at Napier University in Edinburgh – had sentence deferred until July 14 for a criminal justice social work report to be prepared.

THREE MONTHS FOR BREACH

A Hawick man was jailed for three months at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday after breaching a community payback order (CPO)for the second time.

Daniel Findlater, 22, of Hillend Drive, admitted breaching a previously-imposed CPO.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre told the accused he had been given plenty of opportunities.

SENTENCE DEFERRED

Sentence has been deferred for a background report on a Galashiels man who admitted a benefits fraud involving more than £26,000.

William Howie, 50, of The Pirns, admitted giving a false statement to officials at the Department of Work and Pensions, saying his savings totalled £1 when he had more than £16,000 invested. He claimed £13,629 in income support, and £12,742 in council tax and housing benefit he was not entitled to between August 2007 and September 26, 2011.

The case will recall on July 14 when the contents of a criminal justice social work report will be considered.

ST BOSWELLS ACCUSED

Tina McKenzie, 47, of Jenny Moore’s Court, St Boswells, will stand trial on July 1 accused of obtaining more than £12,000 in benefits she was not entitled to. She denies receiving income support, and housing and council tax benefit when she and her husband had savings which exceeded the permitted limit.

The offence is alleged to have been committed between August 2011 and March 2013.

An intermediate hearing will be held on June 16.

NOT-GUILTY PLEAS

A Galashiels man has been accused of trying to film two males using the toilet.

Charles Clamp, 20, of Wakefield Court, Huddersfield Street, faces two charges under under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

He is accused of holding a mobile telephone above a toilet cubicle and attempting to record the men on separate occasions. The offences are said to have happened at Tesco in Galashiels on April 21.

Clamp pleaded not guilty to both charges and a trial date was fixed for September 30, with an intermediate hearing on September 1.

VANDALISED EX’S VEHICLE

After his relationship broke down, Janis Belka damaged his former partner’s car. The 25-year-old, of Laidlaw Terrace, Hawick, admitted recklessly damaging the vehicle by repeatedly kicking it and striking it with a piece of wood at a car park near the town’s Fairhurst Drive on April 13.

Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser said: “He had been in a relationship and the vehicle belonged to his partner.”

Mr Fraser went on: “The relationship came to an end that day and he had been drinking heavily.

“She parked her car at the back of the house and a neighbour saw him strike the rear light cluster with a piece of wood, and also kick the vehicle.”

Ross Dow, defending, said the couple had been getting on badly and his client had far too much to drink, adding: “They are now separated.”

Belka was sentenced to a six-month community payback order with 100 hours of unpaid work.

WOMAN ADMONISHED

A Hawick woman who assaulted her partner has been admonished after being of good behaviour during a period of deferred sentence.

Aimee Jones, 30, of Melrose Court, pleaded guilty to assaulting her partner by punching him on the head, and scratching him on the face and body at her home on June 20 last year.

DENIES FIDDLING BENEFITS

A 20-year-old woman who denies falsely claiming more than £2,000 in benefits has had a further intermediate hearing set for June 13.

Joanna Witczak, of Galalaw Road, Hawick, is due to stand trial on June 26.

The accused is alleged to have claimed £1,794 income support and £526 housing and council tax benefit to which she was not entitled between January and August 2013.

Handgun allegations

Two Hawick accused who are due to stand trial by jury have had a further first hearing set for June 13.

Robert Searle, 21, of Fraser Avenue, and 31-year-old Stephen Scott, who lives at McLaren Court, have pleaded not guilty to assaulting a man at a house in Oliver Crescent, Hawick, on August 12 last year, forcing him on to a bed, repeatedly punching him on the head, presenting a handgun at him, uttering threats of violence and robbing him of a games console, games and a jacket.

Searle also pleads not guilty to assaulting a woman there, repeatedly uttering threats of violence and presenting a handgun at her.

DEFENCE GIVEN MORE TIME

A man accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a pregnant ewe has had his trial postponed until September 30.

Darren Brookshaw, 47, of Dryhope Farmhouse in the Yarrow Valley, denies deliberately striking an in-lamb ewe with a vehicle at Kirkstead Farm, Yarrow, on December 17, whereby it sustained a spinal fracture and posterior paresis, and leaving it alive and unable to rise overnight, and failing to obtain veterinary treatment, whereby it required to be euthanised on welfare grounds .

He was due to stand trial on June 10, but Selkirk Sheriff Court was told that the defence was still trying to identify a suitable expert to give a judgement on a veterinary report and requested more time.

Selkirk’s cricketers continued on their winning ways at Philiphaugh on Saturday as they recorded a convincing six wicket victory against Edinburgh South, writes Alex Massie.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat, but could only muster a total of 133/8 which Selkirk passed for the loss of just four wickets.

In truth, Selkirk’s victory could have been even more comfortable than the scorecard suggests. The Edinburgh South batsmen enjoyed more than their fair share of good fortune and the visitors could easily have been dismissed for less than 100.

Selkirk began perfectly as Kenny Paterson struck in the first over.

John Everitt’s bowlers found the edge time and time again, but though the ball was often airborne it rarely landed in the vicinity of a Selkirk fielder.

The fielders had to trust that chances would come eventually. And come they did. Darren Fenton and Rory Banks each produced impressive spells and at no point did the city batsmen threaten to run free.

Banks took two important wickets to ruin the visitors’ middle order, and though Greg Fenton toiled without reward, Paterson returned to mop up the tail.

In reply, Everitt and Greg Fenton set off at a gallop, passing 50 in just the sixth over. Everitt, however, was well caught at point and Fenton ran himself out risking a daft single to mid-off. If Selkirk’s innings lost momentum at that point and if Darren Fenton enjoyed some good fortune of his own, the Philiphaugh men never looked like losing this match.

St Boswells ended their three-game losing streak against bottom club Dunfermline at the Green on Saturday.

The visitors were sent out to bat and opening bowlers Elms and Ruthven quickly took a wicket apiece, and a suicidal run out of Lowe had Dunfermline teetering on 38 for 3.

There was some controversy in the innings as Amir appeared to be caught behind, but the umpire gave a not out.

Amir fell shortly after, though, as did star player Waqis Ahmed, to joint captain Kathryn White, who went on to be the side’s best bowler on 3 for 14, with Dunfermline all out for 141 after 46.3 overs.

It was not a huge total to reach, but higher than the current St Boswells season average, therefore no chickens were hatched as ‘wee’ Elliot Ruthven and returning veteran, and calming influence, Jamie Glover put on a steady 109 partnership for the first wicket, which all but won St Boswells the game. Both went shortly after their 50s, caught off the bowling of Brown. Broom came and went for 16, Young went for a golden duck, but Williams and Graham saw the home side through in 33.3 overs with four wickets down.

Hawick defeated West Lothian by 149 runs to record back to back wins for the first time this season after an impressive display with bat, ball and in the field.

The Buccleuch Park men batted first and flew out of the blocks, Pierce Solley top-scoring on 52. An end-of-innings collapse, however, saw them finish on 194 for 9.

Stuart Hair bowled excellently and picked up a five-wicket haul for his efforts with his twin brother Euan taking three catches in the slips and dismissed their opponents for only 45 runs.

z Langholm suffered their third defeat of the season when they lost by five wickets atRockcliffe. Full report on our website.

Kelso pulled off one of the best performances Shedden Park has seen in recent years with a 12-run victory over Broomhall.

The Tweedsiders, put into bat, lost both openers Dougie Wilson and Mark Henderson cheaply and all but clawed their way to a total of 86 all out.

Kelso were keen to pull off a great victory and they did so, by making sure only two Broomhall players got into double figures – opener J.Dickinson top-scored with 17 off 108 deliveries.

M. Scott was the best of the Kelso bowlers with three wickets for 12 runs off 7.3 overs.

Gala’s yo-yo start to the season continued with an emphatic 71 run win over Marchmont on a tricky Meigle Park wicket on Saturday.

The home men were asked to bat first and Stevie and Jack Halls made a steady start, patiently taking the score to 24 before Loeffen removed father Halls for 15.

This saw a quick flurry of wickets, with Tharanga and Boland’s cheap dismissals sandwiching Jack Halls’ return catch to Rees as Gala slipped to 47 for 4.

Neil Crooks then joined skipper Duncan Millar and the pair rebuilt the Gala innings with a stand of 54 for the fifth wicket before Millar mishit a full toss and was caught at point off Marr for 37.

Alan Oliver followed soon after, chipping Marr to square leg. However, Crooks was assisted first by Kenny Paterson and then Robbie Pringle to get Gala over 150 before the final three wickets fell with the score on 152, with Crooks finally dismissed for 45.  

Gala were on top of Marchmont from the start of the visitors’ innings, with Dinesh Tharanga having Peachey caught by Paterson at slip and Dean Moir seeing Loeffen sky a pull shot to Pringle at mid-wicket as the visitors were reduced to 5 for 2. 

Rees and Collier took the score to 26 before the Pringle-Moir combination saw the back of Collier, and Tharanga got immediate results changing to round the wicket to beat the defence of Rees soon after.

Crooks and Pringle were now in the attack and the former had Sardesai caught behind as half the visiting batsmen were back in the pavilion with just 43 on the board.

Ahmed and Chetty provided some resistance before Ahmed played on off Pringle, and Pringle struck again next ball to bowl Jalagandeeswaran.

Pringle picked up two further wickets, with Paterson taking his second catch in the slips to dismiss Wilson, while the stubborn Chetty mistimed a pull and gave Robbie Irvine a simple catch at mid-on.

With nine wickets down, it was Irvine who came on to finish the match as Sardesai slapped his first ball to David Boland in the covers and Marchmont were all out for 81.

And on Sunday, the Braw Lads made a start to their campaign to hold onto the President’s Trophy they won last year, thanks to a dramatic last-over victory at Fauldhouse Victoria.

The visitors were led by Stevie Halls, who scored 71 not out to ensure Gala won by four wickets, with two balls to spare in an, at times, bad-tempered affair in West Lothian.

Gala, chasing Fauldhouse’s total of 130 for 4 were a tantalising two runs short going into the last over.

When Robbie Irvine was bowled with the second ball of the last over, the pressure was on, but Moir picked up a single and Halls fittingly bagged the winning run.

Councillors unanimously voiced their opposition to plans for an 18-turbine wind farm near Eddleston at a planning meeting this week.

The Cloich Forest plans will be decided by Scottish Government ministers due to the scale of the development, but the council will object to it following the planning committee’s decision on Monday.

Councillors were told by major development manager Ian Aikman that from many viewpoints the 115m-high turbines would become a ‘skyline feature’ and would have a “high degree of visibility”.

Despite some councillors stating that the scheme was “not as bad” as others that had been put before the council, they all agreed that the impact on the landscape would be unacceptable.

Councillor Stuart Bell said that the area had no capacity for turbines of the scale proposed, which is also indicated in the council’s draft development plan.

Councillor Jim Fullarton added: “Turbines of 100m and higher cause a massive problem in our rolling Border hills.”

The proposed wind farm was described by Councillor Simon Mountford as being “singularly intrusive” in an area relatively free of turbines.

Councillor Jim Brown added: “This wind farm is just too big for the surroundings. it is very much over-bearing.”

Councillor Stuart Bell added that during peak construction an average of 15 HGV movements an hour would be an “astonishing burden” on the access road from the A703.

The Business Gateway service has been given a ‘refresh’ in a bid to ensure that local firms get the most from the free support available.

The business advice and support service moved in-house to the council in October 2012 and is now making the most of the opportunity.

New business and improvement plans have been presented to councillors, who welcomed the changes.

One of the most significant changes means firms can access the growth advisory service at a lower threshold than nationally, reduced from £200,000 turnover growth in three years to £100,000.

Workshops are also being taken on the road around the area, with plans to utilise council facilities to ensure that they can be delivered as local as possible.

They will also be delivered in evenings and weekends and attemps are being made to create a single all-encompasing workshop that can be provided on an outreach basis

Jim Johnstone, service manager, said: “The first six months of the in-house service were very much steady as you go, but for the last 12 months we have been looking at how we could change delivery to improve the service for the local needs.”

At a meeting of the council’s economic development group members were told that customer satisfaction with the service is higher than the national average, as are business survivial rates for those firms who access advice and support.

Mr Johnstone said: “There is a lot of research that businesses that take on advice and information are more sustainable than those that don’t, and that is reflected in the survival rates.”

At the meeting Councillor Michelle Ballantyne said: “I get a lot of positive feedback from people, particularly on the start-up support and workshops.”

She added that she was impressed that effectively the service was taking the advice it gives to businesspeople in re-visiting its business plan and creating an improvement plan.

It is estimated that the Business Gateway service will help add £2.2million to the local economy in 2014/15.

A health worker from Hawick who admitted driving while almost four times the legal alcohol limit has been banned from driving for four years and fined £1,000.

Wendy Ker pleaded guilty to the offence which happened at the entrance to Hawick’s Wilton Lodge Park on May 5.

Selkirk Sheriff Court, pictured, was told on Monday that the 46-year-old – who works as a health care support worker at Hawick Community Hospital – had been attempting a three-point turn in Wilton Park Road and her silver Peugeot 307 had stopped in the middle of the road around 4.40pm.

A concerned passer-by approached the vehicle and found her alone in the vehicle with music playing loudly. He turned the engine off and asked if she was alright.

The man suspected she might be diabetic and was having a hypo attack, so he called an ambulance.

However, paramedics who were called to the scene carried out a test which established she was not diabetic and she confirmed she had been drinking.

Police officers carried out a roadside breath test which proved positive. The lowest reading taken at Hawick police station gave a reading of 128 microgrammes – the legal limit being 35.

In reply to caution and charge, she said: “I am guilty.”

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said the mother-of-one’s 17-year marriage had broken down because of her drink problem.

He said: “She had gone to a local area and sat to have a drink. She had been drinking wine.

“She was on her way to park up when she was found in the middle of the road.”

Mr Patrick said Ker was unsure what impact the offence would have on her job as she had a similar previous conviction.

However, he explained she had been employed in that role for the past 28 years and had never let her alcohol problem impact on her job.

The lawyer pointed out that Ker would be able to walk to work from her home in High Street, Hawick.

The court was told that Ker had sold the car for £600.

It’s the Big One at Shielfield on Saturday night as Berwick Bandits host the FIM Grand Prix Qualifier.

Berwick’s Czech rider Matej Kus will fly the flag for club and country, enjoying home-track advantage.

With the likes of Hans Andersen, Kenneth Bjerre, Przemyslaw Pawlicki, Maciej Janowski, Chris Harris and Craig Cook in the line-up, Kus will not start as one of the favourites, but at least he can expect home support at Shielfield.

Current Grand Prix rider Harris is looking to retain his place in the series for 2014, while fellow-Brit Cook, who has made great strides in recent years, wants to establish himself on the international stage. Both are Shielfield experts and will be looking to grab one of the qualification places. Should the duo qualify from this event, they will be just one meeting away from the Grand Prix Challenge which this year takes place at Italian venue Lonigo.

Berwick promoter John Anderson said: “The quality of the riders speaks for itself. It is a very exciting line-up and I am sure we will be in for a great night’s racing.”

It has also been confirmed that the public will be permitted access to official practice earlier in the day.

Doors will be open from 11.45am until 2pm, with the riders on-track for one hour from 12.30pm.

Last Friday’s trek to Devon was a long way to go for one meeting, but Berwick Bandits maintained their 100 per cent Premier League status with a resounding 52-43 victory over the local Devils, hoisting the Tweedsiders to third place in the Premier League table.

The hero of the night was Steen Jensen, who took 14 points in what will be his final match at reserve, but every rider pulled their weight.

“Matej Kus was especially unlucky to lose two separate races on the last lap,” admitted team-manager-for-the-night Dennis McCleary. “Also, I was so pleased that the points scored by Liam Carr (three from three rides) made the difference between our getting four or only three Premier League points!”

Scorers:

Steen Jensen 13+1, Claus Vissing 10+2, Matthew Wethers 9+1, Kevin Doolan 8+1, Matej Kus 5+1, David Bellego 4+2, Liam Carr 3.

The current format of the Jim Clark Rally will be subjected to close scrutiny after what is thought to be the worst accident in Scottish rallying.

The organising committee will await the outcome of the police investigation into the incident in which three spectators were killed at Little Swinton before considering what to do about next year’s event.

But Duns driver Euan Thorburn fears there may well be a shortage of volunteer marshals in future following Saturday’s tragedy and the immediate reaction to it on social media.

“I don’t know what will happen now,” he said. “I mean, all the organisers and marshals are unpaid volunteers. It’s a thankless task for them at the best of times.”

Fellow Duns driver Dale Robertson added: “It’s very, very sad and I don’t know how this will affect the future of the rally. As many of the witnesses have said, the marshals on the stage did everything they possibly could.”

The sport’s governing body, the Motor Sports Association, will be conducting a full enquiry into the two accidents – there was one before the fatal – once the police investigation has concluded.

A spokesperson confirmed: “Police Scotland are now in control of all aspects of the investigations into the two accidents.

“As with any serious incident, [the] accidents will also be subject to full enquiries by the MSA to ensure that any lessons are learned to assist in the constant drive to provide the highest possible safety standards at all motorsport events.”

Established in 1970, the Jim Clark Rally is the third round of the British Rally Championship.

It is unique in being the only closed-roads rallying weekend on the UK mainland, taking place over three days on routes in the Duns and Kelso areas. The rally was initially a round of the Shell/Motor World Scottish Rally Championship and has become an annual feature of the rallying calendar.

Starting out as a forest event, it became Britain’s first mainland closed public road event in 1997 – though the shift required a Local Act of Parliament to provide the necessary legislation to allow it to go ahead.

The format of the three-day event, incorporating a mixture of fast, twisting, wide and narrow roads, along with night driving, makes the rally a unique test of skill and endurance, harking back to the days when drivers covered long distances for hours on end.

The future of the event is in the hands of the organising committee.

Superintendent Phil O’Kane of Police Scotland explained: “The rally is a unique event and the responsibility rests with the organising committee. There is an Act of Parliament specific to the Jim Clark Rally, and all safety considerations are the responsibility of the organising committee.

“But I do know it is well stewarded. Safety is a very big consideration in the planning of it. We, as Police Scotland, are involved with that planning as a supporting agency.”

Alan Johnstone, Jim Clark Rally media manager, told ITV: “This is the first fatality we have had and it’s been one very bad day. We try our level, level best to get it as safe as possible. You’ll never get it 100 per cent by its very nature.”

Berwickshire councillor Michael Cook added: “This is an event which has been taking place here for many, many years. It’s been going without incident for over 40 years now, and to have this happen has really rocked the community. It’s a black day, there is no getting away from that fact.

“It’s a key event in the sporting and cultural calendar of Berwickshire and the Borders. It’s taken place over many years incident-free, and it’s now been rocked by tragedy and that’s desperate news for everyone here and motorsport enthusiasts.

“We’re very proud of the tradition of motor sport in this area and clearly the rally is something which has been a hugely significant event for us over the years.”

Thorburn added: “I hope we don’t lose the rally as it brings a lot of money into the area and many local businesses benefit. It would be a real shame if it were to stop running.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the fatal Jim Clark Rally crash near Swinton, and the accident two hours earlier on the Eccles stage.

Officers are particularly interested to speak to anyone who has video footage or photographs of the rally, and may have captured either of the collisions, which resulted in the death of three spectators and injuries to another six.

Forensic specialists continued their work after the crashed car on Swinton House Road was removed from the scene on Sunday and the bodies were recovered.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill and Scotland’s chief prosecutor, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, were briefed by police in Kelso on Monday.

Chief Superintendent Gill Imery said the police investigation involved painstaking work. “The investigation is at an information-gathering phase,” she said. “We are looking to gather all of the information so that decisions can be made on the progress and the direction of that investigation.

“If people have got footage of the incident, or indeed information about that, there is a plea today for people to come forward and contribute that information – and be assured it would be taken account of.”

On the question of whether the spectators involved had been standing in an area where they should not have been, Ms Imery said: “That’s not something I’m able to confirm at this time. That will form part of the investigation.”

z Police Scotland is asking members of the public to email any video clips of the Jim Clark Rally to jimclarkrallypolicecctv@scotland.pnn.police.uk.

They say it always comes for those who wait. Well, the waiting stopped for Kelso athlete Matthew Fleming at a sun­kissed Earlston Games on Saturday.

For, after a long, barren spell of not registering a win on the games circuit, Fleming put matters to rights by triumphing in the 90m handicap on Earlston’s Haugh track.

Coached by Adie Gray, Fleming began his glory day when soaring to a heat win in 9.78 seconds, the fastest time of the opening runs.

Competing from a mark of 13.5m, the Tweedsider won his cross-tie in 9.59 seconds, earning him a final spot along with Amy Clancy of Peebles (15m), Darren Tomlinson of TLJT (10.5m), Graeme Armstrong of Edinburgh (14.5m) and Hawick pair Ryan Elliot (5.5m) and David Grieve (12m).

Fleming was a betting outsider for the last showdown, however, he was no outsider at the end of the sprint.

After getting off to a fine start, Fleming duly produced the goods to the full through a great run which saw him gain a thrilling photo-finish win.

Tomlinson was placed second and Clancy third. The watch recorded a winning time of 9.84 seconds.

Talking of his winning show, Fleming told The Southern: “It’s the first time I have won a final for seven or eight years and I am just delighted.

“I have surprised myself – I didn’t think I had a chance of doing anything today.

“I was surprised to win my heat, not to mention the cross-tie, and quite shocked to win the final.

“During the winter I have been training hard under my coach Adie Gray, so the work I have been putting in has paid off,”

Sixteen-year-old Kobe Stevens of the Moorfoot Club (70m) took pride of place in the 800m handicap.

A graduate from youth running to the senior ranks, Stevens emerged an impressive victor.

After having taken the lead from clubmate Sophie Collins (130m) on the last lap, Stevens began to stride out.

Back marker Michael Burns of Pitreavie (30m) was in pursuit, but Stevens had his sights set on the finishing line and raced on to take the honours in 1 minute 57.64 seconds.

Burns finished second and Kyle Potts of TLJT (70m) a place behind.

Stevens said: “It’s my first season as a senior and it’s a big step up for me. I wasn’t thinking of winning the race, all I was wanting to do was try my best and run well.”

Another youngster to show great potential amongst the seniors was Nathan Cox.

Now running under the banner of Morpeth Harriers, but formerly of Gala Harriers, Cox excelled in the 1600m handicap.

Innerleithen’s Craig Rendle (150m) headed the field as the bell sounded for the last lap, but Cox, competing from the back mark position of 20m, took over the lead and emerged a clear winner in four minutes 26.76 seconds.

The other placings went the way of Rendle and his fellow Innerleithen athlete Dean Whiteford (110m).

The Hawick David Rae/Che Campbell running school made its mark on the Earlston meeting, chalking up four victories.

Coach Rae led by example, coming out on top in the veterans’ 90m handicap. The 40-year-old (0.5m) blitzed to victory ahead of Kevin Turner of Dalkeith (10m) and Tommy Finkle of TLJT (3m) in 10.68 seconds.

Following his win, Rae said: “I have managed to win quite a few races since I started running at the games as a young boy. This was a bit different today, though, as it was my first appearance as a veteran. I just don’t know where the years have gone.”

Amy ‘Little Miss Dynamite’ Campbell (13m) gave a five-star show to win the junior 200m handicap.

After shining in her heat when clocking up a win in 24.46 seconds, 12-year-old Campbell gave another radiant performance in the final when emerging victorious in an improved time of 24.04 seconds.

Tom Fowler of Hawick (11m) came in second while Fraser Rout of TLJT (52m) was third.

Although beaten in his heat in the 200m handicap, Gordon McPherson (30m) ended up being the top performer of the event.

Qualifying for the final by gaining second place, McPherson pulled out the stops second time around in storming to a win in 21.82 seconds.

New Year sprint winner Dylan Ali also hoisted the winning flag for the Rae/Campbell stable in taking the 400m handicap in 49.81 seconds.

The stylish Ali (12m) looked the part from start to finish.

Representing TLJT, local youngsters Laura Munro and Grant Goodfellow both did Earlston proud in getting themselves into the winning frame.

Munro (13m) was first to delight the home support in taking the youths’ 90m handicap.

Goodfellow (20m) then followed suit, winning the youth’s 200m handicap.

Chirnside’s Archie Fuller gave a splendid account of himself in pulling off a superb double.

Ten-year-old Fuller won the youths’ 800m handicap as well as the junior 90m handicap – a great achievement.

Ben Reynolds (430) starred for Chirnside, too, by emerging a clear victor of the youth’s 1,600m handicap.

Youths 800m: 1, Archie Fuller, Chirnside, 230m, 1 minute, 51.12 sec; 2, Olivia Rodden, Jed AC, 280m; 3, Josh Abbott, Kelso, 135m.

90m Open: 1, Matthew Fleming, Kelso, 13.5m, 9.87 sec; 2, Darren Tomlinson, TLJT, 10.5m; 3, Amy Clancy, Peebles, 15m.

Youths’ 90m Group B: 1, Archie Fuller, Chirnside, 24m, 9.82 sec; 2, Keeley Womack, Lilliesleaf, 23m; 3, Fraser Rout, TLJT, 26m.

Youths’ 90m Group A: 1, Laura Munro, TLJT, 15.5m, 9.92 sec; 2, Ronan Mckean, Hawick, 13.5m; 3, Bryony Patterson, Innerleithen, 12m

800m Open: 1, Kobe Stevens, Moorfoot, 70m, 1 min 57.60 sec; 2, Michael Burns, Pitreavie AC, 30m; 3, Kyle Potts, TLJT, 70m.

Youths’ 1600m: 1, Ben Reynolds, Chirnside, 430m, 4 min 20.86 sec; 2, Joey Brown, Chirnside, 350m; 3, Mairi Wallace, Moorfoot, 340m.

200m Open: 1, Gordon McPherson, Hawick, 30m, 21.82 sec; 2, Euan Pettigrew, Jed AC, 20m; 3, Holly Mackay, Jed AC, 46m.

Youths’ 200m Group B: 1, Amy Campbell, Hawick, 37m, 24.04 sec; 2, Tom Fowler, Hawick, 38m; 3, Fraser Rout, TLJT, 52m.

Youths’ 200M Group A: 1, Grant Goodfellow, TLJT, 20m, 23.76 sec; 2, Cameron Fisher, Jed AC, 22m; 3, Laura Munro, TLJT, 30m.

1600m Open: 1, Nathan Cox, Morpeth Harriers, 20m, 4 min 26.76 sec; 2, Craig Rendle, Innerleithen, 150m; 3, Dean Whiteford, Innerleithen, 110m.

90m Vets: 1, David Rae, Hawick, 0.5m, 10.68 sec; 2, Kevin Turner, Dalkeith, 10m; 3, Thomas Finkle, TLJT, 3m.

400m Open: 1, Dylan Ali, Hawick, 12m, 49.0 sec; 2, Euan Pettigrew, Jed AC, 25m; 3, Craig Sowerby, Seaton AC 30m.