The Hastings and Company Borders Under-14 Boys’ and Girls’ Singles was held at Kelso Orchard Tennis Club in fine conditions.

There was a good turnout for the boys’ singles, with entries from many Borders clubs, with the format taking that of a knockout tournament and the first-round losers going into a consolation draw.

The boys’ final was a tense affair, with long rallies and clever play. Adam Fawcus (Berwick) overcame Gregor Nichol (Selkirk) to take the title 4-1, 4-2. Losing semi-finalists: Andrew Hogg (Berwick) and Alex Daunas (Melrose). Boys’ consolation: winner, Christopher Fagan (Berwick); runner-up, Christian Townsend (St Boswells).

The girls played a round-robin tournament.

Alice MacBrayne (Melrose/St Boswells) took the title, winning all of her matches with some excellent play. Joint runners-up were Robin and Zara Elliot.

Club coach Lesley Thomas presented the trophies and Hastings and Co was thanked for its support.

Sporting digest

Athletics

Gala Harriers

The club was instrumental in the success of the Queen’s Baton making its way around Tweedbank track last Wednesday, with Thomas Otton, Billy McCulloch, Ross Falconer and Neil Renton taking their turn, after Kerry Sandilands and Fraser Wardhaugh had accompanied it through Earlston.

The day after, Jenny Forbes and Colin Welsh won their respective gender categories in the club’s 800m race at the track. Males: 1, C. Welsh (2 minutes and 2 seconds); 2, G. Bryson (2.09); 3, D. Moffat (2.17). Females: 1, J. Forbes (2.32); 2, G. Duncan (2.35); 3, R. Fagan (2.36).

Bowling

Hawick

The seniors travelled to Earlston to play the combined Earlston/Melrose team. The match was a very tight affair, with the hosts emerging winners by four shots (52-48).

Wednesday night saw the A team entertain Lauder at home and the result was a great 99-63 victory for the hosts. Top rink for Hawick was the Scott Clarkson rink, ably supported by R. Bell, M. Hogg and B. McDonald.

Lauder

Congratulations to Lauder bowlers Margaret E. Scott and Billy Nisbet, who both won their respective Senior Single Finals at Eyemouth BC on Sunday, allowing them to compete in this year’s Scottish Finals at Ayr. Commiserations to Amanda Ogilvie and Gwenda Ainslie, who were beaten in the Ladies Pairs Final.

Newtown

Well done to Marie Todd who managed to win the Bowls Scotland district singles finals in Eyemouth on Sunday against Margaret Robertson (Berwick BC) by 21-17. Marie has now qualified for the finals at Northfield, Ayr, from Friday, August 8, to Sunday, August 10. Everyone is welcome to go along and support her.

Cycling

Border Trophy

The Border Trophy second leg moved on to Gala last Wednesday, where Gary Robson produced a storming ride of 21 minutes and 47 seconds to lead the home club’s team to a deserved win.

Trailing Berwick Wheelers by 5 minutes and 17 seconds from the first leg at Berwick, Gala reduced the deficit to just 55 seconds to set up an exciting third leg at Kelso.

The three clubs brought all their top riders to contest the final leg over Kelso’s Birgham course on Monday night. The 55 secs Gala were behind was soon obliterated as their riders dominated the race with nine of their 10 scorers under 25 mins for the 10 miles. A spectacular turnaround of 10 mins 46 secs from first to third leg gave Gala the overall win.

Times: Gala Cycling Club 3 hours 59 mins 20 secs (overall 12h 00m 42s); Berwick Wheelers 4:05m.44s (12:06.11); Kelso Wheelers 4:08.27 (12:17.47).

Football

Gala Fairydean Rovers

The annual general meeting of Gala Fairydean Rovers FC will take place in the Netherdale clubrooms this evening at 7.30pm. All members are invited to attend.

Golf

BLGA

The South Jamboree is being held this weekend at Torwoodlee Golf Club.

The matches are: Saturday, Borders v Dumfries (first morning tee 9.30am, first afternoon tee 2pm); Sunday, Galloway v Dumfries (9.30am/1.30pm); Monday, Borders v Galloway (9.30am/1.30pm).

Each match consists of three foursomes in the morning and six singles in the afternoon.

The Borders team for the Jamboree: J. Anderson (Hawick); J. Birdsall (Roxburghe); C. Bunyan (Roxburghe); L. Campbell (Torwoodlee); D. Ker (Roxburgh); T. Mactaggart (Minto); S. Paterson (Kelso); L. Wilson (Kelso).

Border Ladies held their Team Tournament at Kelso on Sunday with 12 club teams of four ladies entered. Three scores from each side counted in each category.

Results (team): Handicap, Minto (T. Mactaggart, M. Towers, L. Towers, C. Allott) 213; Scratch, Roxburghe (J. Birdsall, C. Bunyan, F. Ker, L. Flannigan) 243.

Individual winners: Nearest the pin at 12th – J. Preston (Duns); Longest Drive at 5th – A. Melvin-Ffinch (Hirsel); Bronze Handicap, K. McGinlay (Hirsel) 101 (32) 69; Scratch, C. Reed (Hirsel) 99.

Galashiels

John Scott (Plumbing & Heating) Seniors Championship qualifier: A League winner, A. Hitchcock nett 35; B League winner, H. Cairney 34.

Championship Qualifier (3) 1, J. Gillie 74 (12) 62; 2, S. Nightingale 68 (4) 64; 3, C. Forsyth 77 (13) 64.

Melrose

Championship Qualifier (4): 1, J. Shirra-Gibb 87; 2, L. Wallace 88.

Ladies Championship Draw: J. Shirra-Gibb (bye); V. Hogg v A. Fleming; L. Wallace v J. Brown; C. Dalgleish v F. Falconer.

June Clubhouse Comp, Round 2, Campbell Family Trophy: 1, G. S. Craig 77 (8) 69; 2, I. Ramsey 73 (2) 71; 3, M. W. Gillie 83 (10) 73. Scratch: D. Page 78.

Minto

Mary Towers and Lesley Moore played in the SLGA Area Final at the Lochmaben course in Dumfriesshire for the chance to go through to the national finals. Mary (20) had a stunning nett score of 68 (gross 88), which was three under par for the course. She attributed her success to some excellent putting and is hoping that this continues in the national finals at the King James VI course, Perth, on September 7.

Gents’ Tuesday Stableford: 1, N. Douglas 42 points; 2=, D. Minto, R. Taylor; R. Latta 37. The current league leader is Stewart Mabon with 141 points.

Minto Seniors won convincingly against Tantallon by 4.5 rubbers to 1.5, bringing their season tally to won three, lost one. The home team just got the better of their Minto opponents at St Boswells, winning by 4 rubbers to 2. In spite of their defeat, the Minto team was full of praise for the excellent condition of the St Boswells course.

Junior Six-hole Pre-handicap Championship: Winner (from 20 yards out), A. Richards nett 30. 150 yards: 1, C. Hewitt nett 35 (B Champion); 2, C. Riddell 34. Blue tees: 1, C. Patterson nett 35 (A Champion); 2, L. Nichol 34.

Juniors’ Daily Telegraph Competition (Boys): 1, S. Murdoch 86 (24) 62; 2, D. Murdoch 85 (11) 74 (lowest gross); 3, M. Bannerman 105 (30) 74 after countback. Girls: 1, C. Campbell 103 (32) 71; 2, L. Towers 93 (17) 76 (lowest gross); 3, R. Middlemiss 104 (25) 79.

Gents’ Three-man Team Competition: 1, E. English, J. Hood & K. Spiers nett 208; 2, J. Adams, J. Law & A. Thompson 216; 3, J. Geatons, T. Glendinning & D. Joyce 217 after countback. Scratch: S. Fairbairn, D. Gillie & D. Gillie 223.

Selkirk

Saturday, June 21, saw the First Class Marquees open triples take place.

Played in excellent conditions, the winning triple was Colin McKinnon, Rob Kelly and Ian Borthwick, who defeated Pat Houston, Hazel Scott and Isobel Downie in a very close final. Selkirk Bowling Club would like to thank Chris Lightfoot from First Class Marquees for his continued sponsorship.

St Boswells

Ladies President’s Cup (overall): 1, R. Macdonald 86 (15) 71 (lowest gross); 2, S. Barrie 94 (23) 71; 3, S. Braithwaite 94 (23) 71. Division One: 1, J. Knox 95 (17) 78; 2, A. Forrest 99 (18) 81. Division Two: 1, J. Heard 109 (28) 81; 2, L. Crow 110 (28) 82; 3, J. Aiston 108 (26) 82.

Seniors June Medal and Championship Qualifier: 1, H. Oliver 86 (20) 66; 2, D. Curle 85 (17) 68 (lowest gross); 3, J. Tait (Snr) 85 (15) 70.

Torwoodlee

Order of Merit (round 7): 1, J. Meehan 72 (7) 65; 2, R. Lacon 70 (4) 66; 3, M. Morrison 83 (16) 67. Scratch: D. Gillie 67.

Qualifier (3): 1, J. Graham 74 (10) 64; 2, M. Morrison 81 (15) 66; 3, J. Shiel 76 (10) 66.

Belhaven Six-man Team Qualifiers (at Minto GC on July 13): Handicap 9 & Under – J. Kelly & W. Gilroy (reserve, B. Aitchison); Handicap 10 to 15 – J. Graham & M. Morrison (reserve, J. Shiel); Handicap 16 & Over – S. Irvine & J. Neil (reserve, S. MacPherson). Please notify the club as soon as possible if you are available to play.

Qualifier Lists for the Gents’ A, B & C Championships are on display on the noticeboard. Please advise of your availability by this coming Monday. The draw will take place after the closing date. If you have not indicated your availability by the closing date, it will be assumed you are unavailable.

Squash

Galashiels

Handicap tournament: Plate quarter-final: D. Mills (-6) 3 S. Walker (+5) 1. Semi-final: J. Eyre (+4) 3 I. Chalmers. Plate Semi-final: L. Molero (-5) 3 Maria Silies (+10) 1.

League 2: R. Kohler 3 Luis Molero 2.

Club night friendlies:

L. Molero 2 D. Sharratt 1; R. McAleese 2 M. Silies 1; A. Gill 2 D. Sharratt 0; D. Sharratt 2 M. Silies 0; A. Gill 2 L. Molero 0; S. McCutcheon 1 R. McAleese 0.

Tennis

Kelso Orchard

The club would like to express its thanks to Charity Begins At Home who provided the coaching/disability/youth project with a generous grant of £2,000.

This was accepted by president Gareth Stott at a ceremony on June 1 at the Cross Keys Hotel in Kelso.

They rode from Jedburgh and they rode from Kelso... Jethart Callant Jack Fraser and Kelso Laddie Ross Henderson met in fine weather at the Trysting Tree in Morebattle last Sunday.

The cavalcade from Jedburgh numbered 86, with Jack also supported by his Left and Right-Hand Men, Garry Ramsay and Iain Chisholm, while 64 followers supported Ross, accompanied by his Right and Left-Hand Men, Calum Thomson and Callum Vickers.

After the formal meeting, the principals’ parties made their way to the platform where Northumbria University lecturer and Robert Davidson Committee secretary David Welsh, who has a house in the village, welcomed them to Morebattle. Master of Ceremonies was Councillor Simon Mountford and Kelso Provost John Bassett gave the vote of thanks.

The principals laid a wreath at the village war memorial before dancing a reel with volunteers from Morebattle Primary School, Emma and Lucy Thomson, Kym Cessford and Emily Letts.

Cakes and tea were enjoyed at the village institute before the principals and their followers made their respective way homewards.

The Dickson Robb Memorial Cup, presented for the best turned out rider and horse, was won by Brooke-Anne Lynn.

wooler

At their weekly sale of primestock last Wednesday John Swan Ltd had forward and sold 1,181 new season lambs, 64 hoggs and young sheep and 187 ewes and rams.

Lambs forward in larger numbers as countrywide. Homes very difficult to find, resulting in the inevitable with all classes easier.

New season lambs, leading prices per head:- Suf:- £108, £100 (2) Roseden. Tex.x:- £95 Holy Island, Holy Island (M Patterson), £90 Lilburn Estates, £89.50p Ewart, £88 Chesterhill, £85 Lilburn Estates, Village Farm, Springhill, Seahouses. Sfx:- £92 Chesterhill, Holy Island, £90 Chesterhill, Fawdon Farms, £88 Goswick (2), £86 Marigold, £85.50p Chesterhill, £85 Kettleburn. Bel:- £87, £85 (2) Ladykirk, £82 (2) Chillingham Home Farm. Ham:- £90 East Fleetham.

New season lambs, leading prices per kilo:- Tex.x:- 220.9p Holy Island, Holy Island (M Patterson), 218.9p Kettleburn, 216.2p Shipley Smallburn, 213.2p Fawdon Farms, 211.4p Dunslaw, 210.8p (2) Lilburn Estates, 210.3p Wrangham East, 210p Branton Eastside, Springhill, Seahouses (2). Bel:- 220p, 216.2p Chillingham Home Farm, 214.3p, 211.1p Ladykirk, 210.3p (2) Chillingham Home Farm. Sfx:- 209.1p Holy Island, 208.5p Chesterhill, 205.6p Dunslaw, 205.3p Brandon, 205.1p Fawdon Farms, Shawdon Woodhouse. Suf:- 212.8p Roseden.

Hoggs, leading prices per head:- Tex.x:- £101.50p, £98.50p, £96.50p East Fleetham. Sfx:- £96.50p East Fleetham.

Similar returns again this week.

Leading prices:- Sfx:- £96 Chillingham Home Farm, £88 Milfield Demesne, £86 Lilburn Estates (2), £86 Chillingham Home Farm, £85 West Longridge. Tex:- £89 Crunklaw, £87 The Hagg, £80 Wrangham East, Chillingham Home Farm. Bel:- £85 Chillingham Home Farm. Cha:- £84 North Lyham. Oxf:- £85 East Fleetham. SD:- £63 East Fleetham. Mule:- £75 West Longridge, £70 The Hagg. Jac:- £65 Charlton Mires. Swa:- £65 Charlton Mires. Chv:- £64 Sourhope.

Rams:- Tex:- £118 West Longridge, £107 The Hagg. BF:- £91 Treaty Park, £85 West Longridge, £80 Hethpool.

st boswells

At its weekly primestock sale on Monday John Swan Ltd sold 71 clean cattle, 46 OTM cattle, 1,134 new season lambs 31 old season hoggs and 232 ewes.

Bullocks (29) averaged 203.5p per kg and sold to 226p (-3.8p on week), heifers (40) averaged 211.1p per kg and sold to 235p (+2.8p on week) and 46 beef type OTM cattle averaged 136p per kg and sold to 170p (n/c on the week).

The 1,134 new season lambs averaged 225p per kg (-21.1p on the week) and sold to £113, top price 247p per kg for Beltex, 31 old season hoggs averaged 1.46p per kg (+9p on the week) and sold to £81 a top price of 180p per kg for Texels and 232 ewes averaged £82.82 and sold to £102 for Suffolk.

Heavy ewes averaged £90 and light ewes sold to £92.

Principal prices per head: Longnewton £1447.80, £1385.72; Mosstower £1378.

Principal prices per kg: Kirkton 2.35 Robert Pringle, 2.19 Charles Wilson Butchers; Chapelhill 2.29 Kevin Watt Butchers; Applecross 2.29, 2.27 Gosford Bothy Shop; Haughhead 2.28 M/s J Gilmour and Co Ltd; Traprain 2.26 Linton Butchers, 2.20 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons; Lennoxlove 2.26 Finlay and Co Ltd, 2.19 Forth Meat Supplies; Humbie Mill 2.24 John Anderson Butchers; Caverton Mill 2.20 Malone of Edinburgh; Bee Edge 2.20 M/s WTS Forsyth and Sons 2.20, 2.19 Shaws Fine Meats.

Cows per head: Honeyburn £1241.22, £1203.92; Gateshaw £1182.96, £1177.10, £1145.82, £1115.56, £1106.64, £1085.76,£1054, £1052.48, £1039.34, £1005.66; Newton £1159.74; Saughtree £1036.94; Middlestead £1032.84; Mosstower £1020.74.

Cows per kg: Gateshaw 1.69, 1.67, 1.59, 1.57, 1.55, 1.51, 1.49, 1.47; Mosstower 1.61; Newton 1.53; Middlestead 1.51; Honeyburn 1.49; Roxburgh Mains 1.47.

New season lambs per head: Tex;- £108 Lochside, £105 Headshaw. L, £104.50 Thirlestane, Suff.x;- £95 Whitsome West Newton and Headshaw. L, Suff;- £113 Hatchendnize; HB;- £89 Stobshiel, £87 Marvingston, Bel;- £99, £95, £92.50 Redden, Ham;- £92 Greenburn, Char;- £91.50 Greenburn.

New season lambs per kg:- Bel;- 247.5, 237.5, 237.2 Redden, Tex;- 241.9 Thirlestane, 240, 239.5 Lochside, 239.2 Slegden, Suff.x;- 232.4 Slegden, 231.7 Headshaw. L, 228.1 Hermiston, HB;- 212.2 Marvingston, Ham;- 214 Greenburn, Char;- 218.8 Greenburn.

Hoggs per head: Tex;- £81 Swinside, £75, £74 Dunslaw, BF;- £51 Burncastle, Chev;- £75 Saughtree.

Young Sheep: Tex;- £80 Middlestead, £70 Dunslaw, Chev;- £60 Leaderfoot.

Ewes: Suff.x;- £102 Thirlestane, £99 Hermiston, £97 Fans, £95 Brotherstone, £93, Greenend, £92 Legars, £90 Greenend, Rumbletonrig, Thirlestane and Legerwood.

Suff;- £100 Marvingston, Tex;- £92 Greenend (St Bos), Crosshall, Headshaw. L, £91 Lochside, £90 Fans, Mule;- £81 Greenend, £76 Grahamslaw, £73 North Synton, Chev;- £75 Leaderfoot, HB;- £87, £76 Marvingston, £75 Fans, BF;- £65 Burncastle, Lleyn;- £84 Brotherstone, CM;- £92 Legars, High;- £71 Carterhaugh.

longtown

The Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart plc had forward 14 prime cattle, three young bulls, 18 over 30 month cattle, 2,203 prime lambs, 1,582 prime hoggs and 4,294 cast ewes and rams at their weekly sale at Longtown last Thursday.

Less prime cattle and short of requirements saw trade sharper on the week topping at 222.5p for a Limousin heifer shown by Messrs A. and W.J. Taylor and Son, Dashwellgreen whose run of heifers averaged 218.2p. More cattle required on a weekly basis.

Bulls sold to 150.5p and 141.5p for Angus from Messrs Routledge, Netherton.

Cast cows sold to a similar trade and topped at 136.5p for a Limousin from L. Black and Co., Lephinmore Farm.

Another large show of 2,203 prime lambs defied the weeks collapsing trade to produce an average of 224p per kilo. Heavyweight lambs over 45 kilos short or requirements with the best quality export lambs keenly sought after. Lightweight lambs similar on the week. Top of 276p per kilo for Beltex from Messrs Gribbon, Waterside.

A smaller show of 507 prime hoggs were forward to a busy ring of buyers all keen for hoggs, especially those with flesh. Leaner types harder to cash but still finding homes. Hogg trade will remain consistent until the end of the month, after which they shall be auctioned amongst the ewes. Top price of £100 per head for Texels from Auchengray, with a top per kilo of 224p for Hill Cheviots from Kirkhill. The overall sale average was 173.5p per kilo.

A similar show of 4,294 cast ewes and rams (1,000 more than the corresponding sale last year) saw trade for heavy ewes a couple of pounds cheaper with small ewes in strong demand.

BORDER LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

Border Livestock Exchange Ltd conducted a farm dispersal sale on behalf on E.J. and A.M. Fox at Ewart Farm, Wooler.

A tremendous offering of well-maintained modern machinery was presented to a huge company of buyers who had travelled from all over the UK. The quality of machinery was outstanding with prices achieved amongst the dearest ever witnessed at a farm sale.

Leading prices to include 2010 MF 2190 Square Baler £43,500; JCB 310S Loadall 2012 £38,000; JD 6330 Tractor 2007 £25,000. A Stewarts 30’ Stock Trailer 2007 £20,200; JD 6320 Tractor 2003 £17,800; BVL Twin Tub Mixer Wagon £14,000. Bailey 12 tonne Silage Trailer £8,400.

Throughout the Border Games season, sprint handicaps are for normal the main event on the card.

Should it be a 90 metres handicap, a 100 metres handicap or a 110 metres handicap, the sprint is where the big money is.

There is a change to the agenda however this Sunday at Kelso Games.

For as what has been the case for a few years now, the Poynder Park meeting stages a 200 metres handicap as its top attraction.

Back marker for the event is Hawick’s Dylan Ali, New Year sprint victor Ali has been placed on a mark of 10 metres by handicapper Don Campbell.

Getting down on his marks in the same heat as Ali is Kelso’s own Euan Pettigrew.

Representing Jed AC, Pettigrew produced some tip top running when winning the handicap at Peebles Beltane Sports last weekend.

Pettigrew who has all the makings of taking pride of place in other handicap events throughout the term goes from 11 metres.

Other Borders runners who are set to bid for the biggest purse of the afternoon include last year’s winner Kevin Amos (38m), Craig Bruce (25m), Andrew Hogarth (34m), Craig Grieve (17m), Jenna Gillan (52m), Jasmin Tomlinson (41m), James Parker (11m), David Rae (25m), Matthew Fleming (23m).

Amy Clancy (18m), Jack Wilson (11.5m), Darren Tomlinson (12m), David McKay (14m), Geoff Keen (12m), and Holly McKay (21.5m) are some of the Borderers in the sprint handicap which is of a distance of 100 metres.

Kelso pair Colin Welsh (30m) and Jason McIntosh (70m) will be looking for home turf glory in the 800 metres handicap.

Welsh (50m) and McIntosh (110m) are also featured in the 1600 metres handicap.

Amongst other Border men in the mile are Alistair Laurie (365m), Rory Anderson (90m), Andrew Thomson (150m), Kobe Stevens (165m) and Dean Whiteford (165m).

Besides the senior running there is a full programme of youth’s events on an attractive looking Kelso bill.

Four Gala ASC swimmers travelled to Prestonpans Mercat Gate Swimming Pool to compete in the East Lothian Swim Team Distance meet over the weekend – and once again flew the town’s flag with distinction.

This meet isn’t for the faint-hearted, with 200m and 400m events coming thick and fast over two days of competition.

Maili Brown started off the weekend in style, gaining a personal best (PB) in the 200 back, and went on to PB in her 200 free, 200 IM and 400 free. Maili also swam strongly in the 400 IM and 200 breast.

Sarah Frizzel put on a fine show in the 200 breast and went on to PB in the 200 IM and the 400 free.

Elsbeth Roper kept up the high standard and swam a strong 200 IM and managed a fantastic 20-secondPB.

Last, but by no means least, was Bethany Hamilton, who performed well in the 200 free, in which she gained a good PB, then went on to PB in the 400 IM and 200 breast before finishing off with another strong swim in the 200 IM.

Between them, they brought home an impressive medal haul of two silver and four bronze medals – a truly fantastic effort.

The previous week saw another great performance at the Duns 500 meet.

Laura Frizzel, Jack McDonald, Elsbeth Roper and Andrew Watt all had fantastic swims, with Sophie Wilson proving the star of the show when collecting the Best Girl Cup in the 11-and-under age group.

With a tally of 14 medals, Gala, with the smallest team count, finished third overall.

Beth Johnston and Finlay Lindores were also in action when they represented the East of Scotland at the Regional Development Meet in Aberdeen.

Beth gained a PB in her back to win silver and put in powerful displays in the 50 free and 100 IM, collecting bronze for both.

Finlay received full classification and put in a truly excellent performance, cumulating in a great PB in the 50 free.

With an impressive seasonal tally of 20 point-to-point winners, Tom Hamilton has secured the Northern Area men’s championship title.

En route to the success, the 18-year-old from Birnieknowe, on the outskirts of Hawick, also celebrated his first four-timer.

That feat was completed at the Fife fixture at Balcormo Mains.

“It has been a very lucky track for me as I rode my first pony race winner there,” explained Tom.

“Then, on my next visit to the track, I had four rides and four winners.”

Currently studying business management at college in Edinburgh, Tom began riding at an early age.

“I was put onto a horse before I could walk,” he joked.

An enthusiastic member of the Duke of Buccleuch’s Pony Club, Tom was a regular part of its showjumping and eventing teams, although concedes dressage was not his strong point. He also hunts with the Jedforest and followed the Cornet at many of the Hawick ride-outs, which he says taught him to “sit tight” across the hills.

From a racing background – his mother Wendy is a point-to-point trainer, while father Michael is a Jockey Club clerk of scales – it was almost inevitable Tom would become involved in the sport.

“My family have always been keen on racing and I was brought up around racehorses,” he added.

He progressed through the pony racing ranks – making a victorious debut aboard Crystal at Balcormo Mains in 2006.

“Pony racing was a huge help to me,” he continued, “it taught me the race day procedures – even simple things such as weighing in and out – and the importance of a good start.”

His first ride in a point-to-point came in December 2011 at Alnwick on Silk and Roses, sporting the well-known silks of his grandfather Billy – who trained top chaser Earls Brig. The same horse was to give him his first point-to-point winner, at Overton in March 2012.

He attributes his first men’s championship title to “riding nice horses for supportive people.

“They provided me with my winners, and I have been very lucky and fortunate,” he modestly added.

Success has proved a family affair – Tom’s mother, Wendy, has saddled seven winners this term, and was responsible for the Area’s champion horse, Cave Hunter. Tom’s elder brother Jamie – winner of last year’s Aintree Foxhunters on 100-1 chance Tartan Snow – is currently based with Hereford trainer Venetia Williams, while his sister, Hollie, is also an important part of the Hamilton team.

“My family has given me great support which I appreciate. Jamie and I are often riding against each other, so obviously we are competitive, but it’s good to see him have success,” says Tom.

Both brothers were in action at Aintree this year – Tom riding Douglas Julian for Galashiels trainer Katie Scott.

“I had a great spin around Aintree – it was unforgettable and a great experience,” enthused Tom, who will spend the next two months riding out at Richard Fahey’s Malton stable.

Tom, who has also posted six successes on the course, including one Flat, currently plans to continue as an amateur.

Political Paddy, trained by Selkirk permit-holder Rayson Nixon, was Tom’s first ride on the course, at Perth in April 2013, while he secured his first win at Wetherby in May 2013 riding Habbie Simpson, trained by Lauder’s Julia Furness.

Champion jockey A. P. McCoy is his racing idol.

“His determination to win is incredible,” he added.

Tom is quick to recognise the benefits of point-to-point racing. “It has given me a good grounding and introduction to race riding and built up some good contacts,” he says.

It is testament to Tom’s undeniable talent that he has attracted an agent, and sponsorship.

“I am on Bruce Jeffrey’s books, and it has been great to get more rides under Rules through Bruce, who is very supportive,” continued Tom.

“DBS (Doncaster Bloodstock Sales), who sponsor me, have been a great help and I appreciate the sponsorship both on the track and in point-to-points.”

Asked if superstitious, Tom admits, “I am very superstitious – at the races I have to put my right boot on first and also touch wood an even number of times.”

Tom’s achievement will be recognised at the Northern Area awards dinner at the Buccleuch Hotel, St Boswells, on September 13.

cricket

Saturday, june 21

ESCL DIVISION ONE

Edinburgh CC (20) beat Gala (4) by 279 runs.

At Campbell Park

Edinburgh CC

K. Hussain, not out 209

U. Farooq, c R. Irvine, b N. Crooks 27

A. Majeed, lbw b G. Ormiston 69

S. Hassan, b N. Crooks 69

I. Akhter, c R. Pringle, b G. Ormiston 18

Z. ul haq, not out 10

Extras24

Total for 4 (50 overs)426

Bowling: D. Tharanga 0-54, R. Pringle 0-100, N. Crooks 2-73, G. Ormiston 2-94, R. Irvine 0-99.

Gala

G. Ormiston, c U. Farooq, b U. Asim 40

D. Millar, c&b U. Asim 53

K. Paterson, b Z. ul haq 0

D. Tharanga, b U. Asim 1

N. Crooks, b U. Asim 2

R. Pringle, b Z. ul haq 1

A. Oliver, b Z. ul haq 0

M. Hastings, st I. Akhter, b R. Ahmed 11

R. Irvine, not out 9

R. Patterson, c S. Hassan, b R. Ahmed 0

Extras32

Total for 9 (50 overs) 147

Bowling: B. Ahmed 0-32, U. Haider 0-36, U. Asim 4-20, Z. ul haq 3-19, R. Ahmed 2-13, A. Majeed 0-6.

Watsonians 2 (20) beat St Boswells (5) by 4 wkts.

At Craiglockhart Terrace

St Boswells

E. Ruthven, c Matt Little, b G. Jacobs 19

R. Young, c R. Murray, b G. Jacobs 8

S. Broom, c A. Cockburn, b A. Sadler 31

M. Williams, b A. Sadler 7

R. Graham, c Matt Little, b R. Murray 10

K. White, c Matt Little, b A. Sadler 0

J. Broom, b A. Cockburn 4

C. Paterson, b R. Murray 5

S. Marshall, b M. Legget 17

R. Elms, not out 10

C. McNeill, b N. Yelland 6

Extras 25

Total all out (41.2 overs) 142

Bowling: M. Legget 1-19, G. Jacobs 2-15, N. Yelland 1-28, A. Sadler 3-26, A. Cockburn 1-10.

Watsonians 2

R. Murray, c M. Williams, b C. McNeill 63

B. Fox, b R. Elms 8

T. Dryden, c R. Graham, b R. Elms 0

K. Rae, b R. Elms 3

R. Evans, c R. Graham, b R. Young 8

Matt Little, c R. Graham, b R. Young 28

A. Cockburn, not out 14

M. Legget, not out 7

Extras 13

Total for 6 (39.4 overs) 144

Bowling: R. Elms 3-8, E. Ruthven 3-8, S. Marshall 0-19, R. Young 2-21, M. Williams 0-29, C. McNeill 2-14.

ESCL DIVISION two

Kelso (20) beat Dunnikier (7) by 30 runs. At Kelso

Kelso

D. Wilson, b M. Farooq Khan 4

M.I. Henderson, c Unknown, b S. Saeed 18

T.H. Grindell, c A. Ali, b B. Shahzad 2

S.D. Patterson, b S. Saeed 18

B.M. Grindell, c Unknown, b M. Sharif 53

J.W. Gibson, run out 3

E.L. McNeill, b M. Arman 5

S. Cessford, lbw b M. Sharif 0

G.J. Davidson, c Unknown, b M. Sharif 27

M. Scott, c Unknown, b M. Arman 5

C. Davidson, not out 0

Extras23

Total all out (49.3 overs) 158

Bowling: M. Farooq Khan 1-27, B. Shahzad 1-25, S. Rowley 0-26, S. Saeed 2-16, M. Arman 2-20, M. Sharif 3-35.

Dunnikier

S. Rowley, lbw b J.W. Gibson 10

A. Yousaf, b S. Cessford 0

T. Aziz, b S.D. Patterson 22

F. Rafi, c BM. Grindell, b J.W. Gibson 21

M. Sharif, lbw b S.D. Patterson 4

S. Mohammed, c T.H. Grindell, b S.D. Patterson 8

S. Saeed, run out (M.I. Henderson) 35

M. Farooq Khan, c S. Cessford, b S.D. Patterson 11

A. Ali, not out 8

M. Arman, c&b M. Scott 2

B. Shahzad, b S. Cessford 3

Extras4

Total all out (44.4 overs) 128

Bowling: S. Cessford 2-25, J.W. Gibson 2-25, B.M. Grindell 0-25, S.D. Patterson 4-33, G.J. Davidson 0-11, M. Scott 1-5.

P W t L PTS %

Dunnikier 7 6 0 1 127 90.72

Kelso 6 5 0 1 105 87.50

Clackmannan Co 6 4 0 2 96 80.00

Livingston 6 4 0 2 89 74.17

SMRH 2 7 4 0 3 98 70.00

Leith FAB 6 3 0 3 70 58.34

Broomhall 7 3 0 4 79 56.43

West Lothian 2 6 2 0 4 64 53.34

Fauldhouse 6 1 0 5 44 36.67

MDAFS 2 7 0 0 7 31 22.15

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

ESCL DIVISION four

Selkirk (20) beat Holy Cross 2 (7) by 65 runs.

At Philiphaugh

Selkirk

J. Everitt, c Unknown, b D. Welsh 36

G. Fenton, c Unknown, b Co Smith 5

S. Skeldon, run out 11

D. Fenton, b D. Welsh 0

K. Paterson, b J. Bates 28

R. Banks, lbw b J. Bates 65

J. Graham, run out 13

J. Reid, c&b R. Parker 0

A. McKirgan, not out 8

B. Agate, b J. Bates 8

H. Murphy, c Unknown, b E. Kapp 0

Extras 20

Total, all out (41 overs) 194

Bowling: G. Lohan 1-33, Co Smith 0-20, D. Welsh 2-28, E. Kapp 1-31, J. Bates 3-30, R. Parker 1-23.

Holy Cross 2

B. Fraser, b K. Paterson 1

M. Nevin, b K. Paterson 5

J. Bates, c B. Agate, b J. Reid 74

R. Parker, c J. Graham, b J. Reid 0

D. Welsh, c B Agate, b J. Reid 0

A. Candlish, c&b R. Banks 6

A. Donaldson, lbw b G. Fenton 3

Co Smith, run out 7

E. Kapp, c G. Fenton, b J. Everitt 5

K. Lawrie, c G. Fenton, b B. Agate 4

G. Lohan, not out 3

Extras 21

Total all out (44.3 overs) 129

Bowling: K. Paterson 2-19, G. Fenton 1-15, J. Reid 3-23, R. Banks 1-16, D. Fenton 0-21, J. Everitt 1-17, B. Agate 1-9.

P W t L PTS %

RHC 2 5 5 0 0 100 100.00

Selkirk 7 6 0 1 125 89.29

Grange 3 5 4 0 1 88 88.00

Holy Cross 2 7 3 1 3 92 65.72

Largo 2 6 3 0 3 76 63.34

Watsonians 3 6 3 0 3 75 62.50

Dunfermline Car 8 3 0 5 90 56.25

Preston Village 6 1 1 4 51 42.50

Edinburgh South 2 7 1 0 6 52 37.15

*Stirling Co 3 5 1 0 4 29 29.00

* Conceded 1 match

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

ESCL DIVISION five

Peebles County (20) beat Falkland 3 (9) by 10 runs.

At the School Field

Peebles County

P. Murray, lbw b D. Wilkie 0

P. Caddick, c G. Chambers, b C. May 64

E. Howat, c M. Low, b D. Wilkie 0

A. Maxwell, c C. Watson, b G. Chambers 81

P. Moynihan, st M. Low, b L. Robertson 27

J .Knight, b C. Watson 14

A. Dores, b L. Robertson 1

P. Walker, not out 1

A. Anderson, not out 10

Extras66

Total for 7 (45 overs) 264

Bowling: D. Wilkie 2-33, C. Watson 1-28, G. Chambers 1-31, G. Langlands 0-25, D. Caldwell 0-38, C. May 1-41, L. Robertson 2-27.

Falkland 3

G. Lawson, b P. Caddick 42

D. May, b J .Knight 17

D. Caldwell, c P. Caddick, b P. Moynihan 10

C. May, c D. Howat, b P. Caddick 21

L. Farrell, run out 0

D. Wilkie, c A. Maxwell, b J. Knight 59

M. Low, c D. Howat, b J. Knight 59

C. Watson, st D. Howat, b A. Anderson 2

L. Robertson, not out 2

G. Chambers, not out 1

Extras 41

Total for 8 (45 overs) 254

Bowling: A. Maxwell 0-43, J .Knight 3-39, P. Moynihan 1-50, P. Caddick 2-20, A. Anderson 1-63.

P W t L PTS %

Marchmont 2 7 6 0 1 128 91.43

S&SPenicuik 2 7 6 0 1 126 90.00

Glenrothes 2 5 4 0 1 86 86.00

MDAFS 3 8 6 0 2 134 83.75

Livingston 2 7 3 0 4 76 54.29

Peebles County 8 3 0 5 84 52.50

Falkland 3 7 2 0 5 72 51.43

Drummond Trin 2 7 2 0 5 66 47.15

*Edinburgh Ac 2 6 2 0 4 54 45.00

*Boroughmuir 2 6 0 0 6 21 17.50

*Conceded 1 match

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

ESCL DIVISION six

Hawick & Wilton (20) beat Edinburgh CC 2 (8) by 2 wkts.

At Buccleuch Park

Edinburgh CC 2

K. Anwar, c N. Storey, b R. Johnston 7

I. Khan, b N. Storey 61

Z. Ali, c P. Solley, b S. Hair 22

A. Farooq, b N. Storey 21

U. Afzal, c S. Hair, b N. Storey 0

E. Aziz, c P. MacTaggart, b R. Alexander 0

K. Imran, b R. Alexander 3

H. Irshaad, b P. Solley 2

H.M. Khan, b P. Solley 0

H.A. Khan, not out 0

F. Farooq, c P. MacTaggart, b P. Solley 2

Extras14

Total all out (35.4 overs) 132

Bowling: S. Hair 1-19, R. Johnston 1-31, N. Storey 3-22, R. Alexander 2-37, L. Stewart 0-16, P. Solley 3-4.

Hawick & Wilton

E. Hair, b Z. Ali 14

R. Alexander, c A. Farooq, b H. Irshaad 4

A. Moffat, c A. Farooq, b I. Khan 17

P. Solley, c I. Khan, b Z. Ali 3

P. MacTaggart, c I. Khan, b K. Imran 55

S. Hair, b K. Anwar 20

N. Storey, b Z. Ali 0

L. Stewart, b I. Khan 2

C. MacDougall, not out 0

B. MacTaggart, not out 1

Extras 17

Total for 8 (31.2 overs) 133

Bowling: K. Imran 1-26, H. Irshaad 1-25, Z. Ali 3-31, I. Khan 2-24, K. Anwar 1-17.

Melrose v Heriots 3: No result available

P W t L PTS %

Tranent 7 7 0 0 140 100.00

Heriots 3 6 5 0 1 105 87.50

OCCC 7 5 0 2 110 78.58

Edinburgh CC 2 7 4 0 3 104 74.29

Teuchters 7 4 0 3 103 73.58

Hawick & Wilton 9 5 0 4 121 67.23

Dunbar 8 2 0 6 79 49.38

Musselburgh 2 7 2 0 5 64 45.72

Melrose 5 1 0 4 43 43.00

West Lothian 3 7 0 0 7 41 29.29

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

Sunday, june 22

ESCL DIVISION ONE

Gala (20) beat Eastern Knights Under 18 (7) by 58 runs.

At Meigle Park

Gala

G. Ormiston, lbw b A.J. Sadler 8

D. Boland, st M.H. Wells, b R. Allardice 44

D. Millar, c D. Main, b A. Khan 99

N. Crooks, lbw b A.M. Cockburn 15

D. Tharanga, b A.J. Sadler 25

R. Pringle, not out 9

K. Paterson, c R. Allardice, b A. Khan 2

Extras 49

Total for 6 (50 overs) 251

Bowling: A.J. Sadler 2-42, A. Khan 2-35, F. Cousin 0-46, D. Anderson 0-20, R. Allardice 1-44, F. Ross 0-19, A.M. Cockburn 1-20.

Eastern Knights Under 18

R.J. Evans, c R. Pringle, b D. Tharanga 20

M.H. Wells, c D. Tharanga, b R. Pringle 65

A.M. Cockburn, c D. Millar, b D. Moir 4

D. Anderson, b N. Crooks 13

F. Ross, c G. Ormiston, b D. Tharanga 1

D. Main, lbw b R. Pringle 0

R. Corner, c D. Boland, b N. Crooks 12

F. Cousin, lbw b R. Pringle 0

R. Allardice, lbw b G. Ormiston 7

A. Khan, not out 28

A.J. Sadler, run out (D. Tharanga) 18

Extras 25

Total, all out (43.4 overs) 193

Bowling: D. Moir 1-48, D. Tharanga 2-38, N. Crooks 2-36, R. Pringle 3-39, G. Ormiston 1-19, C. Thomson 0-2, A. Oliver 0-7.

P W t L PTS %

Edinburgh CC 6 6 0 0 120 100.00

Heriots 2 7 5 0 2 118 84.29

East Knights U18 3 2 0 1 47 78.34

Marchmont 7 5 0 2 108 77.15

Gala 6 3 0 3 74 61.67

Musselburgh 8 4 0 4 98 61.25

Watsonians 2 6 2 0 4 67 55.84

Edinburgh Accies 5 2 0 3 53 53.00

Largo 6 2 0 4 60 50.00

St Boswells 6 2 0 4 59 49.17

Dunfermline 6 0 0 6 30 25.00

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

Sunday: Marchmont v Eastern Knights Under 18.

bowls

monday, june 16

border league division one

Ancrum 83-74 Earlston

border league division two

Peebles 66-100 St Ronan’s

tuesday, june 17

border senior league

Abbotsford 70-45 Gala

Earlston/Melrose 52-48 Hawick

Jedburgh 77-33 Kelso

Newtown 59-50 Peebles

Selkirk/Ettrick F 41-47 Buccleuch

border ladies league

Waverley 29 - 22 Ettrick Forest

Hawick 36-18 Abbotsford

Jedburgh 10-48 Buccleuch

Kelso 24-30 Wilton

Lauder 29-27 Selkirk

Melrose 26-30 Newtown

P W D L F A Pts

Hawick 7 11 0 3 272 131 29

Wilton 7 10 0 4 214 139 27

Waverley 7 10 0 4 210 190 25

Newtown 7 9 0 5 203 191 23

Buccleuch 6 7 0 5 195 137 18

Jedburgh 7 7 1 6 175 211 18

Gala 6 6 0 6 159 161 15

Kelso 6 5 0 7 148 161 12.5

Ettrick Forest 6 5 0 7 152 160 12

Selkirk 7 4 0 10 168 208 10

Lauder 6 3 1 8 148 179 9

Abbotsford 6 4 0 8 124 205 8

Melrose 6 2 0 10 123 200 4.5

wednesday, june 18

border league division one

Earlston 77-71 Melrose

Hawick A 99-63 Lauder

Jedburgh 93-70 Ancrum

Kelso A 75-75 Waverley A

Wilton A 88-71 Abbotsford A

border league division two

Buccleuch 75-80 Gala A

Selkirk 94-61 Ettrick Forest

Stow 87-66 Newtown

border b league

Gala B 51-68 Wilton B

Waverley B 49-89 Kelso B

P W D L F A Pts

Waverley B 5 4 0 1 237 235 8

Wilton B 4 3 0 1 299 212 6

Kelso B 5 2 0 3 297 303 4

Abbotsford B 3 1 0 2 146 170 2

Hawick B 3 1 0 2 160 185 2

Gala B 4 1 0 3 175 209 2

monday, june 23

border league division one

Ancrum 70-91 Waverley A

P W D L F A Pts

Waverley A 10 7 1 2 830 733 15

Hawick A 9 7 0 2 768 685 14

Jedburgh 9 6 1 2 704 650 13

Earlston 10 6 0 4 776 739.5 12

Abbotsford A 9 4 0 5 717 649.3 8

Ancrum 10 4 0 6 731 813.7 8

Kelso A 9 3 1 5 678 695 7

Melrose 8 3 0 5 522 555 6

Wilton A 9 3 0 6 666 734 6

*Lauder 9 1 1 7 563.5 701 1

*points deducted

border league division two

Gala A 86-67 Peebles

P W D L F A Pts

Selkirk 6 6 0 0 531 381 12

Gala A 6 4 0 2 411 369 8

St Ronan’s 5 4 0 1 403 362 8

Buccleuch 5 3 0 2 384 395 6

Stow 6 2 0 4 441 472 4

Ettrick Forest 5 2 0 3 365 408 4

Newtown 6 0 0 6 409 497 0

Peebles 7 2 0 5 431 491 4

tuesday, june 24

border senior league

Kelso 60-44 Abbotsford

Peebles S 41-74 Jedburgh

P W D L F A Pts

Earlston/Melrose 9 8 0 1 527 393 16

Jedburgh 10 8 0 2 610 484 16

Wilton 9 7 0 2 574 396 14

Gala 9 5 0 4 494 477 10

Hawick 9 4 1 4 482 469 9

Abbotsford 10 4 0 6 512 569 8

Kelso 9 4 0 5 424 512 8

Buccleuch 10 3 1 6 523 517 7

Selkirk/Ettrick F 9 3 0 6 374 430 6

Newtown 8 2 0 6 375 482 4

Peebles 10 2 0 8 401 567 4

friday, june 27

dr lightbody knock out cup first round (7pm)

Ancrum v Lauder

Newtown v Waverley A

monday, june 30

border league division one

Abbotsford A v Ancrum

tuesday, july 1

border senior league (11am)

Gala v Selkirk/Ettrick Forest

Hawick v Buccleuch

Kelso v Earlston/Melrose

Peebles v Abbotsford

Wilton v Jedburgh

border ladies league

Wilton v Newtown

Buccleuch v Melrose

Abbotsford v Lauder

Ettrick Forest v Kelso

Gala v Jedburgh

Waverley v Hawick

Selkirk Bye

wednesday, july 2

border league division one (7pm)

Hawick A v Wilton A

Jedburgh v Earlston

Kelso A v Ancrum

Lauder v Melrose

Waverley A v Abbotsford A

border league division two (7pm)

Buccleuch v Newtown

Peebles v Ettrick Forest

Selkirk v Gala A

St Ronan’s v Stow

border b league (7pm)

Abbotsford B v Gala B

Wilton B v Kelso B

It was an excellent day for the Borders Bowling Association Hamilton Trophy meeting with Edinburgh & Leith (E&L) at Jedburgh on Saturday.

Both teams were aware that East Lothian were giving East Stirling a hard time and for either of the sides at Jedburgh to make the play-offs, they were going to need a sizable shots win.

At 15 ends the hosts had taken an eight-shot lead, but E&L came back and levelled with 107 shots each at 18 ends. The last three ends were nailbiters, with the final score Borders 127, Edinburgh & Leith 117. This was not enough to qualify, but the Borderers gave their all in their attempt to move into the latter stages.

A fine turnout of 74 runners lined up for the start of the popular Eildon 3 Hills Race in Gibson Park on Saturday, before taking on the challenging Trimontium terrain.

First across the line was Sullivan Smith from Cambridge and Coleridge Running Club in a superb new course record of 36 minutes and nine seconds. Second place went to Alastair Anthony of Ochil Hill Runners, just 10 seconds behind the leader, with Donald Naylor from Hunters Bog Trotters third in 38.20. Last year’s champion, Gala Harrier Fergus Johnston, came in an impressive fifth place in 39.09, while a great run by Fiona Dalgleish brought victory for the club in the women’s race in 44.57, with Rachel Fagan (46.11) and Shelagh King (1.08.55) ensuring that Gala retained the ladies’ team trophy, with JogEarlston a well-deserved second.

Excellent runs, too, from all the Gala men – Jamie McGowan (42.59), Chrys Murphy (45.22), Peter Gibson (46.06), Martin Clarke (47.10), Alan Johnston (47.37), Derrick Brydon (47.54), Tommy Knox (50.40) and James Purves (53.15) – brought the second team prize home for the Harriers, after Hunters Bog Trotters and in front of Carnethy.

The prize for the first TD6 local runner went to Lachlan Glaves.

Gala Harriers wish to thank the ambulance team who took an injured (knee) Hunters Bog Trotter off the hill and to the volunteer marshalls who supported her until the paramedics arrived – she is recovering well – and also to everyone who helped to make the day a success.

Full results can be found on the Gala Harriers website – www.galaharriers.co.uk.

East Fife kick off their preseason by turning the clock back 50 years with a visit to face Lowland League outfit Gala Fairydean Rovers tomorrow evening.

The Fifers officially opened the A-listed Netherdale grandstand in 1964, with Gala running out 4-2 winners.

Manager Gary Naysmith is taking a full-strength squad to the Borders for their first friendly match ahead of the forthcoming season.

Kick-off at Netherdale on Friday is 7.45pm, with admission £5 for adults, £2 for OAPS and children under-16 free of charge if accompanied by an adult.

A large group of Roxburgh Reivers headed north to Morayshire last weekend for a double-header of orienteering, including round five of the Scottish Urban League and round four of the Scottish Forest League.

Saturday’s urban race took place in the historic whisky centre of Dufftown and included small areas of woodland as well as the town itself. The club had two winners on the day in the shape of Kirstin Maxwell on Women’s Open and Lindsey Knox on Women’s 55+. Knox now leads both the Scottish and UK Urban League, and Maxwell lies second in the Scottish league. Faisal Khursheed had a good run for second place on M16 and there was also a runners-up slot for Eileen Maxwell on W50.

Sunday’s forest race was held in Lossie Forest, on the coast at Lossiemouth, and proved a much more difficult day with complex contour detail and rough underfoot conditions. Reivers didn’t do quite so well after Saturday’s successes, but the standout result was from Faisal Khursheed who finished first junior boy on a difficult green course.

This weekend sees the last major race before the summer break, with runners heading to St Andrews for an urban league encounter.

Despite a recent run of bad luck, Rebecca Kennedy has managed to pick herself up, dust herself down and retain her Scottish National Downhill Mountain Bike Championship title.

Last August, the 19-year-old from Earlston suffered multiple breaks and a severe dislocation after getting her finger stuck between the brake lever and bar of her bike when crashing out onto a boulder in Fort William.

Then, just as she was good to go again following a nine-month recovery, she had her much-prized Mondraker Summum racing bike stolen at Hamsterley while waiting for podium awards.

Last weekend, however, riding her “old steed” Trek Session 88, a determined Rebecca put all her troubles behind her when cruising to her second successive Scottish title victory on the infamous rocky Glencoe course.

Rebecca told The Southern: “The course was fantastic fun, dusty and fast, and very rocky, just how I like it.

“The location was superb also, with hills all around, and the cheers I got when I received my trophy were phenomenal.”

The Borders bike ace won the women’s event in 3 minutes and 49 seconds, and raced in 13 seconds ahead of Debs Primrose in second place.

Rebecca admits that last year’s freak accident is just par for the course for an ambitious young mountain biker, but she is still hurting over the disappearance of her beloved bike.

“The loss of my bike has been heart-breaking as it was very special and close to my heart,” she added.

Rebecca has been appealing through various social media outlets to try and get her bike back, and is also attempting to raise £3,000 to buy another one in case her plea for help fails. She is also seeking business sponsorship after leaving her race team of one year.

“If anyone out there wants to sponsor me or help out in anyway with the bike, please get in touch so I can follow my dream and become a World Cup rider next year,” she appealed.

“I feel that I am now getting back on track and turning negatives into a positive.

“I am relaxed and my confidence is returning, and I look forward to all the races still to come.”

This weekend, Rebecca is heading to the British Downhill series (national race) at Llangollan in Wales, and hopes to be on the podium again, hopefully winning it.

Ashkirk

Church

There will be a service on Sunday, from noon to 1pm.

Caddonfoot

Church

A packed congregation at Caddonfoot Parish Church, decorated beautifully for the special occasion, gave a ‘Braw’ start to another Gathering Week on Sunday at the annual kirkin’ service. Braw Lad Gavin Young and Braw Lass Alice Mackay, whose sister Nicola was Braw Lass two years ago, were joined by fellow principals Daniel Whitehead, Ryan Mania, Lucy Black and Nicola. They were led into the church by the Reverend Elspeth Harley, making her debut at the service after taking over the charge, linked with Trinity, in January. The congregation sang “Braw Braw Lads” and were joined by, among others, president Andrew Johnston, chairman David Houston, vice-chairman Jodie Millar, clerk Hazel Newlands, members of the Gathering executive council, parents of the principals, life members and friends. Past President Gordon Keddie recited “The Braw Lads’ Day”, while another past president, Johnny Gray, recited “Ganderscleuch Gathering”, by George Hope Tait – Ganderscleuch being another name for Galashiels. Mr Johnston read the Bible from Mark’s Gospel, while church members Julie Decoteau (Peter) and Bill Birch (Jesus) had a chat on the theme “Of Mouths and Money”. At the end of the service, at which the music was played by Derek Calder, the Braw Lad and Lass were presented with Bibles and a scroll each, from the church, to mark the occasion.

Denholm

Open gardens

An Open Gardens event will be held in the village on June 29 (2-4.30pm) in aid of Ruberslaw Church. Entry is by ticket in the form of a map showing the location of the gardens. Tickets are available from Denholm Post Office prior to the event and from the door of Denholm Church on the day.

EARLSTON

Parish church

The Sunday (June 29) service at 10.15am will be conducted by the Reverend Julie Woods and held in the marquee to mark the start of Civic Week. Refreshments will be served after the service. There will be a service at 6.30pm in the church.

Eckford

WRI

Members travelled to the garden centre at Woodside, Monteviot, where a demonstration and advice on potting up large plant pots with summer bedding. This was followed by supper in the restaurant.

ETTRICK

Gardens

There will be an Open Gardens Weekend on June 28/29 in Ettrick, plus a floral festival in Ettrick Church, plant stalls, craft stalls as well as a “Find the Gnomes” activity for children. There will be afternoon teas on Saturday from 2.30-5.30pm, and lunches and teas on Sunday (12.30-5.30pm) in Boston Hall. Tickets for the gardens are available from Ann Blundell (01750 62267) or at Boston Hall on the day. Proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support and Ettrick and Yarrow Parish Fabric Fund.

galashiels

Open again

The public path over Redbridge viaduct, which sits to the east of Galashiels, has been reopened following repair works to the Victorian era structure. The viaduct, which will carry the footpath and railway over the River Tweed between Galashiels and Tweedbank, has been closed since February for restoration works. Additional work on the viaduct will continue over the coming months, with short-term closures of the path required. Notices will be posted in advance of these works.

Hawick

Bridge club

June 17 –N/S – 1, John and Marian Miller; 2, Bob Francombe and Valerie MacPherson; E/W – 1, John Urquhart and Sam White; 2,Kenneth Auckland and David King.

Rotary

President Scott Elliot welcomed members and their ladies to last week’s meeting. They heard an illustrated presentation by Margaret Skee on the creation of The Great Tapestry of Scotland in which she was partly involved. From an original idea by Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith, assisted by author Alistair Moffat and artist Andrew Crummy, the tapestry was three years in the making. It involved 1,000 stitchers, many of whom were amateurs and in the age range of three to 94. The tapestry is made up of 160 panels and, in total, is 140-plus metres long and depicts 12,000 years of Scottish history. Three hundred miles of yarn were used and it is estimated more than 55,000 hours were spent on the work. It was on display for the first time in the Scottish Parliament last year. It is hoped to have it housed in a permanent building at Tweedbank. Many questions evolved, after which Jim Walker gave the vote of thanks.

Hownam

Coffee morning

The church coffee morning will be held in Hownam Hall on Saturday, July 5, from 10.30am.

Innerleithen

Services

On Sunday there are two services – 8.30am, breakfast, a song and a story; and morning service at 10.30am.

KELSO

Thursday Group

Members are sponsoring a Palm Court Afternoon Tea on July 3 in aid of Scottish Borders Africa Aids Group in Abbey Row Centre (2.45-4.15pm). Music will be provided by Robert Fraser (violin) and Margaret Dick (piano).

Farmers’ market

There will be some new stalls at Kelso farmers’ market on June 28 (9.30am-1.30pm).

Volunteers appeal

Contact the Elderly, which offers people aged 75 and over a social lifeline, is looking to increase its number of volunteers in Kelso. Drivers collect the older person and join them at a tea party in a volunteer host’s home. The parties tend to welcome around 10 people, made up of around six older guests and four drivers, and take place monthly on a Sunday. To find out more, contact morna.o’may@contact-the-elderly.org.uk or 01786 871264.

Langholm

Common Riding

At the Common Riding committee meeting in the Crown Hotel, chairman Roger Maxwell informed members he had met with council officials and Councillor Denis Male with regard to road closures for the Common Riding day and had been assured that costs for this year’s event would be covered by the council. In regard to a suggestion at the previous meeting about having a seat in memory of former secretary Dick Hill in Rosevale Gardens, it was said that the council would possibly have to be involved, so Lynn Everett will be contacted. Jamie Fletcher had been in touch with the company that had provided the Cornet’s spurs in the past, but there were none in stock. He will see if they can make them and get a price. The high jump has been re-instated with prizes similar to when it last took place. In addition to the Borders High Jump for seniors, there will be a competition for boys and girls, and games secretary Iain Park will get a medal for the winner of the main competition. North Lakes Marquee Hire will charge £778, which was accepted, and was £10 up on last year. The public address system from John Little will cost £775, which is £40 more than in 2013. The Scottish Ambulance Service charge of £692.39p is £95 cheaper than last year. The times of attendance will be checked to make sure they are there from 11.30am to 5.30pm. Two quotes had been received for the luncheons, with The Lost Chef giving £12 per head, and Food@Broadway £10.75p per head, with the cheaper being accepted. These establishments will be contacted by secretary Kenneth Hill. There will be a check to see how many Common Riding ties had been left over from the 450 purchased last year, and if necessary the order will be reduced by 50. The cost of the ties will remain at £8, with a rosette £6.50 and the ribbon 65p a metre. An additional 50 guest ribbons will be printed this year and delivered to Graeme Murray, vice-chairman of the Ex-Cornets’ Society, for handing out on the Simmer Fair Night. Arrangements have been made for the manning of the bridge from the school area across to the Castleholm, and also the crossing at that part of the race course.

Golden wedding

Langholm couple Derik and Anne Nordon were married on June 24, 1964 – but in order that all the family could be present, they celebrated their golden wedding slightly ahead of the date in the Eskdale Hotel. Derik and Anne (Proudfoot) were married in the parish church in Newcastleton where Anne lived, and held a reception at her parents’ house in Henry Street in the village. The bridesmaid was Margaret Gordon and best man Robbie Graham. At the time Derik worked at the Ford Mill and the couple set up home in Rosevale Street. They first met at a dance in Newcastleton and have three children – Derik, Louise and Brian – and eight grandchildren – Darren, Jamie, Kayleigh, Daniel, Kieran, Josh, Kian and Kiera, along with two great- grandchildren, Tori and Riley.

LAUDER

Church

On June 29 at 11am, there will be a baptism in Lauder Church – Michaella Burne, infant daughter of Travis and Lisa Burne.

melrose

Church

June 29 – services at Bowden (9.30am) and Melrose (11am); July 2 – church hall (7 for 7.30pm), Dinner with Mozart, fundraiser by John Brydon in aid of Holy Trinity Organ Appeal; July 6 – strawberry tea fundraiser after church instead of coffee/tea (for special projects fund); tinned goods are requested for the foodbank.

Trimontium

The Trimontium Walk’s last June event is today (Thursday) from 1.30pm. In July and August it doubles each week, being available on Tuesdays as well as Thursdays. July 6 sees the first shorter Sunday afternoon walk, under Ian Brown, from Newstead Milestone at 2pm (bring own refreshments). They go on till the end of August. On July 7 Ian Skinner takes the latest Old Melrose Walk from the tearoom at 1.30pm. That same day, the Royal Archaeological Institute party of 40, on its one-week visit to the Tweed Valley, calls in at the Trimontium Museum to see the £10,000 coin hoard and the Roman steering oar before driving from Newstead through the site to Leaderfoot and then on to Smailholm Tower.

Nursery

Old Station Nursery is investing in its outdoor learning space, following a successful grant application to Scottish Borders Business Fund. This follows the most recent Care Inspectorate inspection which graded the nursery as very good in two of four assessment areas, demonstrating continual improvement in the service it provides. The grant cash is going towards creating a “learning garden”, providing children opportunities for sustained periods of learning through outdoor play in a safe and stimulating outdoor environment.

Morebattle

Trysting Tree

There was a large attendance of riders and followers at Sunday’s meeting of the Kelso Laddie and Jethart Callant at the Trysting Tree in brilliant weather. The four dancers from Morebattle School were Emma and Lucy Thomson, Kym Cessford and Emily Letts. Simon Mountford chaired the platform party and David Welsh gave the address.

Fishing

Caverton Mill fishing competition will be held on June 28, with the draw being made today (Thursday) at 9pm. The winners of the pairs competition on Saturday were Stuart McNulty and David Gray with a combined weight of 3lb 12.5oz. Jim McNulty and Nigel Walters were runners-up.

Coffee morning

A Help for Heroes coffee morning will be held in the institute on June 28 from 10.30am.

Games Queen

This year’s Morebattle Games Queen, chosen by the school from the P7 girls, is Emma Thomson. The sashing will take place on July 27 at Morebattle Church at 11.15am. The programme of events for Festival Week is still being finalised.

Newcastleton

Fundraiser

Liddesdale Ladies’ Amenities Group (LLAGs) raised £228 with a nearly-new and jumble sale in the village hall. The LLAGs raise money for a number of local causes, but several members of the group were away on holiday, so they could not hold the full coffee morning and just had tea or coffee and biscuits on sale for £1, and the entry to the sale was free.

OXTON

WRI

Members enjoyed their evening meal at Clovenfords Country Inn last Wednesday. That was the last meeting for the season, although the rural will be having a sales table at Oxton Games on July 26.

Peebles

Something fishy

Peebles Creative Place 2014 celebrates visual arts this month. When the call went out for artists to submit competition entries around the theme of fish, dozens of them, professional and amateur, took up the challenge. Before long, shoals of drawn, painted,

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From page 27

carved, collaged and photographed fish were heading for the Anne Younger Studio at the Eastgate Theatre where they will hang until July 7. First, second and third-place prize winners were – Borders-based artist Liz Douglas; Toby Watts, commended framer and member of the Fine Art Trade Guild; and Peter Reith, secretary and treasurer of Peeblesshire Trout Fishing Association.

Traquair

Service

The next service in Traquair Kirk will be on July 6 at 10.30am.

Walkerburn

Service

The next service in Walkerburn Public Hall will be on July 20 at 10.30am.

Yetholm

Romany Ramblers

June 28 – meet 9am at Wauchope Hall for car sharing. Route – 10 miles – Craster, Low Newton, Beadnell, Seahouses.

In most cases of parasitic gastro-enteritis (PGE, gut worm disease) it is not carrying a worm burden in their stomach or intestines that affects lambs most, but having to fight off constant fresh infection from grazing worm-contaminated fields, writes the Borders Sheep Health vets.

The foremost question when working out a worm control plan is how can we avoid lambs grazing worm-contaminated pastures and how can we do this sustainably (i.e. without selecting too much for resistance)?

After midsummer, worm control is often based on a combination of grazing management and anthelmintic treatments (guided by faecal egg counts) to ensure that weaned lambs are grazing only low-contamination pastures. If lambs are on wormy pastures, then you can dose them as often as you like, but they will not perform well if you don’t move them.

Finishing lambs off the ewes before midsummer means that they are not exposed to the heavily worm-contaminated pastures that can build up in the second half of the grazing season.

If warm/wet conditions continue into July, then an increased PGE risk can be expected this summer. These conditions will also increase the fluke risk in the autumn.

Dry periods reduce the immediate risk of PGE, although when rain follows a dry spell of several days, there can be an immediate increase in worm challenge. If the summer as a whole is dry, then the overall level of worm disease can be expected to be lower, although autumn and winter PGE can be a problem when the wet weather eventually arrives.

Two Borders farmers have joined the Rural Better Together steering committee, the group promoting Scotland remaining part of the UK announced last week.

Kelso livestock farmer and noted Limousin breeder, Keith Redpath, who farms on both sides of the border, and has been involved in several farming organisations, most connected to the beef industry, is going to campaign.

And former NFU Scotland legal and commercial chairman, Berwickshire farmer Robert Lamont of Duns Law, Duns – father of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire MSP John Lamont – is also supporting.

Galashiels farmer Roderick “Rocket” Runciman of Allanshaws took the sheep interbreed championship for the first time at the Highland Show last week.

He also won, for the first time in the show’s history, the North Country Cheviot (NCC) championship for the fourth time in row.

He told us: “Seeing the stick put on the sheep’s back to win the whole (sheep) show is the pinnacle of anybody’s showing career: I was speechless. It’s some honour.

“But it’s not just for me, it’s for the Borders, too, where we have some of the best stockmen in the country.”

The champion Texel, a shearling from Ian Murray, East Horton, Wooler, took the reserve interbreed.

Ian said: “It exceeded all my expectations, I would have been happy if I got a ticket. I’m ecstatic.”

Other top results included the NCC reserve ticket going to Will Thomson, Hownam Grange, Morebattle, Kelso, with a homebred two-crop ewe; the Border Leicester champion from James Brown, Eildon Cottage, Mindrum Mill, near Cornhill, and the NCC hill sheep’s reserve champion from Michael Elliot, Woodside, Yetholm, reserve male champion from Charles and Mary Symmons, Attonburn, Yetholm, and reserve female champion from Will Thomson.

Among the Cheviots, Norman and David Douglas, Catslackburn, Yarrow, Selkirk, took the championship with the female champion; the reserve, and male champion came from Jim and George Irving, Mountbenger, Yarrow, Selkirk; the reserve male went to Bridgewater and Wood, Potholm Farm, Langholm, while reserve female went to Gavin Douglas, Upper Hindhope, Jedburgh.

Sam McClymont, Tinnis, Yarrow won the Bluefaced Leicester male champion ticket and Gordon and David Gray of Sunnycroft, Lindean, Selkirk took the Texel reserve female championship.

The Shetland champion, a two-shear homebred ram, came from the Kaimknowe Flock of Patrick and Denise Playfair, Stichill Eastfield, Kelso. The reserve female champion Jacob was Robert Locker’s of Greenlaw Mill Farm, Greenlaw, while Dr John Mosley, Kirkdean Farm, Blyth Bridge, West Linton won the best female Hebridean.

Among the cattle, Fraser Cormack, Whittaker and Co Farms, Stickle Heaton Farm, Cornhill, took the Aberdeen Angus reserve championship, with Houghton Laura LO26 who was part of the winning native interbreed team. Whittaker also took the best junior bull, reserve junior animal and reserve bull tickets. Kelso’s Ron and Robert Wilson, Cowbog, Morebattle, won the Hereford junior female championship; George and Avril Hamilton, Ramrig, Duns took the British Blonde bull’s reserve championship. The British Blue’s junior bull champion’s ticket went to Mr and Mrs Tom Cockburn, Kingside Farm, Leadburn, West Linton, while the Salers championship went to the female champion from Bryan Walling, Farmstock Genetics, Over Whitlaw, Lindean, Selkirk; Rob Livesey, Firth, Lilliesleaf won best pairs, best bull, best junior female and the junior championship, and Roy and Adam Crockett, Conker Cottage, Deanfoot, Hawick took the reserve junior animal’s rosette with the junior bull.

The children’s Superstars competition took place on the Tuesday of the big week.

The Aitchison Cup for the overall winners in the boys’ section resulted in a tie between Kenzie Winter and Ben Naylor.

TheSuperstar girl who lifted the Lugate Cup was Freya Docherty. Results:

Girls

Primary 0-4 – 1, Lucy Weir; 2, Emma Duffie; 3, Anna Murray.

Primary 5-7 – 1, Thea Naylor; Freya Doherty; 3, Rachel Holloway

Secondary – 1, Sophie Magowan; 2, Rhiannon Gerrard; 3 (=), Jade McKenzie and Anna Houston.

Overall for Lugate Trophy – 1, Freya Docherty; 2, Lucy Weir; 3, Thea Naylor.

Boys

Primary 0-4 – 1(=), Kenzie Winter; 2, Evan Holloway; 3, Archie Hendry.

Primary 5-7 – 1, Toby Denholm; 2, Lewis Runciman; 3, Matthew Comiskey.

Secondary – 1, Max Logan; 2, Corri Campbell

Overall for Aitchison Cup –1 (=), Kenzie Winter and Ben Naylor; 3, Archie Hendrie

Stow Gala Week always brings out some fantastic entries for the fancy dress parade – and this year was no exception.

It was obvious that a great deal of hard work had gone into a wide variety of costumes and once again the imagination behind the entries was almost beyond belief.

The Keddie Cup for the top entry went to the hilarious Mrs Brown’s Boys – a truly amazing take on the BBC Scotland comedy hit which has just been turned into a film.

The Pate Cup for the best dressed group was secured by Three Men in a Tub.

Results:

Best Dressed Under 8 years Boys – 1, Sponge Bob; 2, Andy’s Dinosaur; 3. Darth Vadar : Girls: – Princess Box; 2, Dragon; 3, Native American.

Best Dressed 8-10 years Boys – 1, Rubic Cube; 2, Stig; 3, Referee: Girls – Bird of Paradise; 2, Gymnast; 3, Hippy.

Best Dressed 11-14 years Girls – Purple Mission

Best Dressed Couple – 1, Mario Kart; 2, 118 118; 3, Tintin and Captain Haddock

Best Dressed Group Children – 1, Three Men in a Tub; 2, The Hobbit; 3, Three Craws.

Best Dressed Mixed Group – 1, Minions. Wizard of Ozz; 3, Lego

Best Dressed Float – Mrs Browns Boys

Best Dressed Rider - 1, Mini Mobile Mechanics; 2, Ryan Mania; 3, Braw Lad and Braw Lass

Most Humorous – Bam Pots

Pate Cup for Best Dressed Group – Three Men in a Tub

Keddie Cup for overall winner – Mrs Brown’s Boys

Wednesday of the village’s celebrations featured the Hillheid Race which resulted in some fine competative running.

Results

Primary Girls for Cockholm Cup – 1, Freya Docherty 13m 75 sec); 2, Beth Logan; 3, Thea Naylor.

Primary Boys for Cockholm Cup – 1, Nicholas Henderson (12.39); 2, Matthew Comiskey; 3, Innes Campbell.

Secondary Girls for Killochyett Cup – 1, Sophie Magowan (13.35); 2, Anna Houston; 3, Rhiannon Gerrard.

Secondary Boys for Killochyett Cup – 1, Jamie Logan (11.12); 2, Corry Campbell; 3, Euan Clark.

Naker Trophy for Ladies – 1, Leoni Cairns (13min); 2, Angela Hibbard; 3, Jen Knox.

Manorhead Rose Bowl for Men – 1, Andrew Lawrie (10.38); 2, Marcus Naylor; 3, Mark McCulloch.

Men – 1, Tom Weir; 2, Graham Spiers; 3, Chris Weir.

Selkirk Common Riding Gymkhana enjoyed a bumper entry this year after the format was tweaked and extra classes were added, including two Retraining of Racehorse events.

Well advertised through social media, some 85 advanced entries were received and organisers rose to the challenge to make the annual event a roaring success.

Thankfully the weather cooperated and an excellent competition was had by all who took part.

The T. Watson Memorial Cup (Royal Burgh Standard Bearer 1914) was won by Ellie Meldrum, along with the £50 in the Super Open Show Jumping which proved an excellent addition to the competition.

Stuart Coltherd and his committee are grateful to everyone who gave up their time to ensure this event was a success, from setting up on Wednesday throughout the event and the clean-up on Sunday morning.

“Without this help from everyone it just would not happen,” he added.

z Local businesses and individuals were more than generous, and organisers wish to thank the following for their continued support: Bankend Services (Rosettes); Carrs Billington, Selkirk (Goody bags for all kids); James Ewart Racing (Clothing); Ian Stark Equestrian Centre (Vouchers); Tarff Valley, Newtown St Boswells (Feed Vouchers); Jennifer Dalgetty-Duff (Perpetual Trophy for RoR Royal Highland Qualifier); Gordon Newlands/Jane Tait (Perpetual Trophy for Royal Windsor Trophy); Down to Earth, Selkirk (bags of carrots and apples); Mark & Wendi Gilbert, Glenmayne (Jump Hire); Eric & Ruth Patterson (£100 for Super Open Show Jumping); David & Andrew Bunyan (Secretary’s Tent).

They are also grateful for the other trophies that are awarded annually, generously donated over the years by local families and businesses.