THE second of three matches in Division Two of the JSB Plumbing Forth Valley League took place last Saturday on a cool but dry day at Grangemouth.
And once again local athletes were well to the fore, helping Team Borders run out match winners once again.
All four of the region’s clubs – Gala, Moorfoot, Teviotdale and TLJT – were well represented across the age groups with 19 individual wins achieved, 11 of these in the 100m races. Four of the six 4 x 100m relays were also won – in no small part down to some hastily arranged changeover practice.
Once again, Team Borders dominated the track, but special mention must be made of those athletes who did their bit in the field events, some throwing a javelin, putting a shot, long-jumping or high-jumping for the first time just to gain points for the team.
In the circumstances, the much-improved points gained in the field events made the difference in accumulating the winning total of 497 points and holding off nearest rivals Cumbernauld AC in the end by the slim margin of 22.5 points.
The two matches held so far have had a half-programme of events over half a day, but the league moves on to the third and final match which is an all-day affair on Saturday, August 4, with an increased programme of events.
A second-place finish in that match would be enough to secure the league title for Team Borders in its inaugural season, but the fuller programme will be a real test for the strength in depth of the team, particularly in the field events and hurdles.
No number of track wins will ever be enough if the team does not also continue to pick up crucial points in the technical events.