1973

Derek Anderson from Earlston came in with a flying finish to win the £200 first prize and Jim Dodds Memorial Challenge Cup when he breasted the tape first in the 1973 Jedforest 110 metres handicap at Riverside Park. On a rain swept track, softened further by torrential rain, Anderson just caught Colin Turnbull of Hawick inside the last stride, with Billy Munro from Currie in third place ahead of Alex Givvans, Oldham and Paul Burns of Barrow.

A 28 year old postman, Derek Anderson was a 3-4 shot in the final after opening at 10-1 in the long odds earlier in the day. Trained by Mr Andrew Robson and Mr Robert Barr of Jedburgh, Derek Anderson gave a superb performance on a day when the weather was against such a show of good sprinting. The crowd just rose to him on this particular win. Last year at the same venue, he was placed fourth in the final. This year he left nobody in doubt that he was out to land the top prize, and what a day it turned out to be. In a very fast run in the heats he dived at the tape and slithered along the ground to get the verdict over John Steede, and then came forward in the semi-final to beat Hugo Dawson from Newcastle. In the final, Anderson was pulled a yard for a false start to set on the 6 metres mark all looked lost as Colin Turnbull ho plays on the wing for Hawick and garage director, Willie Munro from Currie fought out the last 20 metres of the final. Turnbull trained by Bill Edgar jnr., showed up well in the 90 metres confined in the morning. He was in there with a great chance in the Jedforest Handicap, as was rugby league referee Alex Givvans. Then Anderson, winner of the Gala 'Braw Lads day' £150 in 1972, seemed to fly over the muddy surface to win in the very last stride. Part of the success lay in the fact that Derek Anderson came prepared and listened to his trainer. While others failed to get the reqired grip with the general use spikes, the Earlston postman wore a pair shoes with the long spikes, the type so popular years ago when cinder track running made it necesary to have such a commodity in the training bay. John Steede of Jedburgh was the only runner of the day to break even time. Steede, holder of the British 400 metres crown clocked 1 metre inside evens in his heat of the Jedforest Handicap over 110 metres. The meeting was held in what were said to be the worst weather conditions experienced since the Games were first staged at Riverside after the end of hostilities in 1945. The only criticism throughout the day would be to place the Invitation Sprint, 400 metres and Relay Championship at various stages in the programme. It was asking just a little too much of such star performers as John Steede of Jedburgh, Ronnie Anderson of Ashington and Bill Barker from Barrow to rest for only two minutes and come out and run in the relay. Steede and Anderson sensibly withdrew. Barker took part and although giving of his best was in no condition to tackle such a demanding task as third man for England. Scotland won the title with Derek Anderson and Bob Oliver of Cowdenbeath running the two 200 legs with David Law of Hawick, the 400 metres Champion Jimmy Gray of Glenluce, who defends his 1600 metres title at St Ronan's Games, Innerleithen next Saturday ran the 800 metres and final leg. Scotland's inning time was 3 mins. 59 secs. Ronnie Anderson of Ashington won the 400 metres 'Cairncross Invitation' race from John Steede of Jedburgh and Bill Barker in 55.40 secs. Coming round into the home straight, Steede had a lot of leeway to make up. Barker was held to the mud on the inside as Anderson made his run don the home straight. Then Steede, who had earlier on the invitatiion sprint over 110 metres from Bob Oliver and Brian Hedley in 12.2 secs off scratch in heavy rain came on with a great run. Anderson just held on tto the win. Prize money here amounted to £35 with some £10 being added at the weekend by a kind donation coming forward. With some thought being given by the committee, the Cairncross 400 metres could become one of the top events of the Jedburgh Border Games.
The races for children attracted the usual large fields and these events were decided before the rain took over as the big talking point of the day. At that time the black clouds were descending around Riverside Park preparing for the encore at the afternoon session. Hughie McDowell, night watchman at the Starrett factory in Jedburgh was a prooud man in winning the 60 metres Handicap for Veterans to take custody of the Henderson Challenge Cup for the third time. Now a sprightly 68 year old, Hughie came from the 11 yards mark to win in 8.47 secs. He ran to beat Charlie Russell and Bill Whitaker off the 5 yards mark, scratch man Bobby Cummings and Bill Culling running from 4 yards. Competition was keen in the six heats of the Confined to Border Counties 90 metres Handicap won by Jimmy Fleming of Kelso off 5 yards, in 10.02 secs. by inches from Colin Turnbull of Hawick running off 5 yards and Douglas Scott from Hawick of 6½ yards. Unplaced runners in the final were David Thomson, Hawick and Bob Kennedy, Kelso who dead heated in their heat. N. Common of Ashington won the Youths 800 metres Handicap in fine style, hile B. Pringle of Jedburgh turned in 11 secs. when winning the trophy put up by the late Col. Jackson of Glen Douglas and late Major Newton of Lintalee. Jim Blacklock of Hawick took the lead over the last hundred metres to win the Border Counties 800 metres from Barry Douglas of Kelso. Now working in Edinburgh with Romanes & Patterson, Douglas has made a welcome return to the track and his performance was good. Jim Sear of Kelso, who is also resident in Edinburgh was third. Albert McLellan from Glasgow showed speed at the finish after doing good in the Merchant's Handicap to win the £60 prize and Spread Eagle Hotel Trophy. McLellan, a fireman in Glasgow, won his heat comfortably in 1 min 55.2 secs after coming up to the bell and taking the lead from Brian Woods of Jedburgh and Colin Black of Kelso. Ross Nicol from Edinburgh led for some part of the final, but had to yield to McLellan inside the last lap. Nicol shook off the challenge of keen opposition to get second place. Alex Gibson from Whitburn broke the field with two laps to go in the 1600 metres Edinburgh and Leith Plate to win the Yule Challenge Cup and prize of £35. Gibson's tactics surprised the other contenders, and Joe Raeburn and David Law, both from Hawick came up to win the other places. To the disappointment of the crowd, Ian McCafferty, the former British Olympic star did not run in the 3200 metres Dunion Handicap. But Dave Currie of Innerleithen took over the five star role by winning the Hope Challenge Cup and £30 prize. Roger Ingham of Skipton, Jim Wilson of Kelso, Kenny Ferguson, Kelso and Robbie Scott from Hawick were the early leaders while Currie, Joe Raeburn, Bob Inglis of Bathgate and John Donald from Hawick all accepted the challenge of leadership as the first six laps were run. Currie broke the field with two laps to go and won in 9 min. 10.25 secs. G. McKay from Harthill won the Youths 1600 metres in fine style. McKay showed fine judgement of pace while winning in 4 min. 39.5 secs.

A prize of £200 and the James Dodds Memorial Cup was the reard for James Whiteford of Innerleithen at Jedburgh Border Games in 1974 when he was given a verdict over Hawick rugby winger Colin Turnbull in the final of the Jedforest Sprint of 110 metres. So close were the two runners in the line that many of Turnbull's supporters thought that he had won the blue riband of the summer games. Exciting finishes were the order of the day for Jack Knox of Selkirk and J. D. Stege dead heated in the 1600 metres, and Tony Nicholson of Troutbeck fought out a keen duel in the home straight to win the 800m from R. Strachan of Bathgate.

The meeting was run off in clockork style with never a dull moment throughout a programme that started off at 10. 30 am and with the traditional break for lunch, it was on with the programme of athletics, wrestling and a magnificent display of Highland and other dancing by the Lynella School of Dancing. Even the early morning cannon had a more lively look as she set a record in the distance covered on ignition. It all added up to a successful day for the president Mr William Hogg and his committee. The fine balance of committee men of experience being joined by yoounger men made for a top meeting. It may be unfair to compare good years and bad years, but this was Jedburgh Border Games back on the pedestal that gave them the blue riband banner of the summer meetings in the period between 1948 and 1960. Where else could one expect around eighty races and other events to be all over by 5.10 pm. This was how it as at Riverside Park in 1974. Handicapper Mr Oswald Sword had good reason to feel happy for not only did he produce a magnificent finish to the sprint, but also brought the scene alive in the distance races. The 800 metres Merchants Handicap saw Tony Nicholson from Troutbeck just get home from J. Strachan of Bathgate. Jack Knox of Selkirk and J. D. Stege of Dalkeith thre themselves at the tape in the Edinburgh and Leith Plate over 1600 metres to be given a dead heat. To make it a day of fantastic racing, Joe Raeburn of Hawick came from the back mark to win the Dunion Handicap from Dave Currie from Innerleithen. The Jedforest Handicap Sprint took pride of place and interest her was live from the start with Colin Turnbull of Hawick, the favourite at 2-1 before racing with James Whiteford of Innerleithen at 6-1 and Ronnie Logan from Penicuik, Stuart Renwick of Peebles and Eddie Hedley from Bedlington, all on the 8-1 and 10-1 mark. There was cash in the ring for other runners but the big 'buzz' was for Turnbull. And the crowd had not long to wait for a look at Turnbull as he clocked 11.61 seconds off 7½ metres start to win his heat a shade better than Ronnie Hamilton of Hawick who won in 11.74 secs. Logan carried the hopes of the Lothians with 11.72 secs. and David Thomson from Hawick entered the market at 20-1 with 11.70 secs from heat six. Stuart Renwick of Peebles, winner of the 90 metres in the morning from Tony Marshall of Hawick and J. Motion of Wakerburn, just could not get near the strong striding Whiteford who won the heat in 11.40 secs. with a little in hand. Colin turnbull was next best of the twenty heats decide with his 11.61 secs. There was also the challenge of Brian Woods of Jedburgh at 11.65 secs. and also both Drew Bailey of Galashiels and M. Gair from Ashington to be considered at 11.64 secs. The semi finals were drawn and David Thomson of Hawick came through the first of the five heats in 11.57 secs to win a place in the final. Colin Turnbull displayed determination and polish in winning his tie in 11.40 secs while Keith Allan produced the best run of the day by the short mark runners to win the third tie in 11.52 secs. a little over 1 metre inside even time. Then came the tie that brought a hush to the ring as starter Mr W. Tallentine called the runners to face up to their mark. Brian Woods of Jedburgh led the way up to the 90 metre mark, when favourite, Whiteford came on with a powerful finish to win in 11.23 secs. The final developed into a thriller. David Thomson, Ronnie Logan and Whiteford looked good over the first 30 metres with Colin Turnbull making up ground fast along with Keith Allan. At the half way stage Whiteford was just in front of Turnbull. Both runners appeared to breath at this stage of the race and at the 100 metres mark Turnbull was fractionally in front. Whiteford said later, "I saw him out of the corner of my eye and could do nothing else but come back at him." The last two strides were worth £200 to the Innerleithen man as he won the verdict from the judges, with Turnbull second and David Thomson third. Turnbull produced his best performance ever by turning in evens over the distance. He is trained by Billy Edgar from Hawick. Whiteford is self trained and added, "I have my brothers to thank for all the help given in preparing for the sprint today."
W. Whitaker, a verstile athlete in the nineteen fifties and winner of many distance handicaps won the 60 metres handicap for men over 45 years to gain custody for a year of the Henderson Cup. He beat Charlie Russell who was bidding for a hat trick, and Bill Culling and Hugh McDowell into minor places. Interest was as keen as ever on this event, wher Hugh McDowell at 69 years of age and winner on three previous occasions was defending the trophy. Bruce Hickman of Jedburgh was an easy winner of the cricket ball throwing from John Wilson of Hawick who took second place. The Cairncross 400 metres Invitation was on by John Steede of Jedburgh, running off scratch in a time of 50.3 seconds. David Plant from Newcastle running off 8 metres, in receipt of 4 metres from Ronnie Anderson of Ashington finished second and third. From an original entry of just over 100 runners, Tony Nicholson from Troutbeck won the Merchant's Handicap £60 prize in an exciting finish from R. Strachan of Bathgate and 1973 winner Andy McLellan of Glasgow. Strachan made his challenge coming up the back straight, but Nicholson, an experienced runner and never one to alter pre-race tactics reserved his final burst to the last bend coming into the straight. Jack Knox of Selkirk and J. D. Stege from Dalkeith responded to the roar of the crowd as the two runners raced neck and neck down the home straight in the Edinburgh and Leith Plate over 1600 metres. Stege lost the lead at one stage to be one metre behind with 20 metres to go. Then the Dalkeith runner produced that little extra to draw level again and gain a share in the honours. Knox and Stege will share the Yule Cup for six months each and share the £35 prize. Joe Raeburn of Hawick wended his way up through a big field in the Dunion Handicap over 32 00 etres to come home with a strong finish and win the £30 prize and J & E Challenge Cup. It was a race that added a spectacular touch to a great games meeting. Raeburn running off 50 yards and Dave Currie from Innerleithen off 35 yards along with Fred Reeves of Coniston running from 6 yards were the trio who caught the eye as they pulled back Roger Ingham from Skipton off the 240 yards mark who built up a commanding lead over the first seven laps. In the concluding stages, with just over three laps to run Raeburn moved up to challenge Ingham and opened the gap on Curri. Raeburns winning time was 9 mins. 3.6 secs. as he beat Reeves and Farquhar for a good win. Scotland won the professional relay championship against England. The Scotland team was George McNeill, Tranent, John Steede, Jedburgh, Alan Lindsay, Innerleithen and Robert Barclay, Markinch. England were represented by Mike Murray, Barrow, David Plant, Newcastle, Robert Barker, Barrow and Ronnie Anderson, Ashington.

John Gilmour of Kelso with a brilliant win in the 1600 metres Edinburgh and Leith Plate and John Steeds of Jedburgh winning the 400 metres invitation kept the Border challenge alive at Jedburgh Border Games in 1975. On a day when Border runners were supreme in carrying off the major prizes. Graham Wood of Chirnside won the £200 sprint prize, and his training companion Brian Kelly who also trained on the local football ground at Chirnside ran a great race to win the Sleeman Developments and A. F. Shiels Housing Ltd 800 metres final and £75 prize.

The big sprint over 110 metres was the main race on the card and once again the interest from all over Scotland was held as the candidates from the Borders took on all comers. Three young men from the Borders won a place in the last five. F. Neish of Hawick, G Wood from Chirnside and John Wilson of Hawick, along with North-East of England challengers, E Hedley of Bedlington and A. Common from Newbiggin as they won their places in that order. Hedley took his place in the parade for the final as the favourite. Wood was a steady 3-1 and 4-1 chance as the runners went to their marks. Wood was well away at the gun and raced with great determination as Hedley and Neish tried to get on terms. The gap closed just a little at the half-way stage but Wood came away again to win by a foot from Hedley with Neish a close up third. Wood an apprentice engineer with McBain of Chirnside is one of the youngest ever winners of the Jedforest Sprint and is a runner with a great future. The five semi-finals brought out the best racing of the day as several strongly fancied candidates were eliminated. One factor stuck out however, and that was the withdrawal of the heat winners, Ronnie Anderson of Ashington and Brian Kelly of Chirnside. Both elected to go for the 800 metres through having also wwon a place here through winning their respective heats. F. Neish of Hawick qualifying for his first Jedburgh final came through his tie in 11.48 secs. from Brian Woods of Jedburgh. Stuart Hogg the former British champion and J. Motion of Walkerburn who impressed in his heat with 11.47 secs. in effortless style. Neish has the qualities to improve greatly on this performance once elementary 'schooling' is applied. Graham Wood of Chirnside who plays in the Chirnside Amateurs forward line came strongly over the last twenty five metres to beat favourite T. Bradley from Edinburgh in 11.31 sec. Bradley who won his heat in 11.26 secs. just could not match Wood over the final stages. Alan Tierney of Hawick who won his heat in 11.55 secs. when holding off Keith Allan from Lanark never got on terms with Wood. The fast time of 11. 21 secs. recorded by Eddie Hedley from Bedlington, when beating John Cunningham of Workington and John Steede of Jedburgh with Keith Hodgson of Maryport two metres away resulted in Hedley being installed as a clear fovourite. He was very strong over the last twenty metres and looked good for the final. A. Common of Newbiggin had the measure of Hawick's John Dobbie at the half-way mark and went on to qualify for the final in 11. 41 secs. Common and Dobbie set off level at 9½ metres and the North East runner just had the edge. John Wilson from Hawick joined Neish in the final to make it two Hawick men challenging for the prize when he won the fifth semi-final in 11.35 secs. Wilson was never challenged once the first forty metres was covered to beat M. R. Thomson of Innerleithen comfortably just as he impressed in his heat win of 11. 55 secs. over Jim Blair from Innerleithen. The Invitation Sprint over 110 metres was won on the tape by Stuart Renwick of Peebles in 11.70 secs. Renwick showed 1½ metres worse than even time off his start of 4½ metres. He beat Jedburgh's John Steede running off 2½ metres on the tape with Keith Allan from Lanark running off 2½ metres coming third. Steede's run of ½ metre inside even time along with Allan was impressive. Scratch man Bob Oliver of Cowdenbeath ran two yards inside even time, three metres better than his run in the Jedforest Handicap. Scotland retained the professional relay championship with a fine display. The Scotland team was J. B. Steede, Jedburgh, R. Oliver, Cowdenbeath, G. Campbell, Balloch and J. Smith, Edinburgh. The race for veterans this year had added interest with scratch man Walter Leithead taking part for the first time. A keen contest always emerges for the cup at stake and Leithead came in the very last stride to dip on the tape and beat sprightly veteran Hugh McDowell to carry off the cup. Billy Whittaker was third and Bill Culling fourth.

In a close finish to the Jedforest sprint handicap at Riverside Park in 1976, the £200 prize was awarded to Glen Beaumont of Darlington over local runner Chris Veitch from Jedburgh. Many thought Veitch had won, and as the photograph shows, there was very little in it at the finish.

The announcement that Beaumont had been placed first was greeted by the 26 year old lecturer with a leap of joy, and he was congratulated by trainer Spence and his son Carl. Hoever, there was dismay in the Veitch camp when they received the verdict, for they had already run on to the track to congratulate the local man. The race itself was a thriller from start to finish. Beaumont was the virtual scratch man running off 5 metres, with billy Munro of Currie running from 15 metres, Veitch running off 12 metres, Freddie Bell of Edinburgh was off 8½ metres, and Forbes Neish from Hawick running off the 7 metre mark, all contesting for honours. Veitch caught Munro at the 50 metre mark and Beaumont came up to the leaders at halfway. Munro was placed third, ith Bell getting fourth over Neish. At the presentation of the Jim Dodds memorial cup and £200 prize, Veitch, the local man sportingly congratulated Beaumont on his victory. He said "Naturally I was very disappointed, but one must stand by the judges, whose verdict is final." Christine Miller of Jarrow, the only lady entrant won her heat of the sprint in 11.56 secs. She was beaten by Beaumont in the cross-tie. The Tavern 200 metres proved to be a great success. The heats were made up as numbers were drawn, and this made for a full turn out of seven heats. The spotlight was on Christine Miller who won her heat in 22.06 secs. J. Laidlaw of Coldstream and Christine Miller contested the early lead in the final, then Frank McFarlane from Hawick gained the lead 35 metres from the line along with Jack Law of Ancrum. In a close finish, Keith Hodgson from Maryport on the £30 prize from McFarlane and Law in 21.95secs. The committee awarded a special prize of £5 to Christine Miller, a gesture that went down well. The cup races were keenly contested by local runners. Norman Kerr won the Jackson / Neilson Trophy when he beat Andrew Tait and holder Brian Cockburn in 11 secs. Rob Young from an 8 metres start threw himself at the tape to win the Henderson Cup and £15 for the Veterans 60 metres. Holder Walter Leithead was second with Billy Ferguson third in 8.26 secs. D. Shiel of Newtown St Boswells was a surprise winner of the Youth's 800 metres. He set a fast pace over the first 600 and held on to beat B. D. Little and P. Maxwell, both of Langholm,with Harry Hogg of Jedburgh fourth. Jack Knox of Selkirk shook off the challenge of some 10 runners over the second stage of the 3000 metres Dunion Handicap to win the Hope cup and £30. Knox made his move over the sixth lap to get in touch with the leaders. The experienced Roger Ingham from Skipton and Peter Swinton of Edinburgh could not hold Knox on the final leg up the back straight. Scratch man Jimmy Gray displayed a welcome return to form in finishing fourth ahead of A. Kidd of Ceres. Knox's time of 8mins. 30secs was good on a day where bright sunshine and a temperature of 75 degrees F did not make for any records. R. Martin of Cardenden won the Tweeddale Press Group 1500 metres for Youths in 4mins. 15secs. A field of 30 runners turned out and Martin took the lead over the last lap to beat P. Maxwell of Langholm and D. Murray of Leslie into minor places over the last lap. Carol Douglas from Oxton led the field right up to 200 metres from the finish. The Berwickshire schoolgirl received a big ovation from the crowd.

Fresh from his British championship success at Gala last week, John Steede thrilled his home crowd at Jedburgh Border Games on Saturday to take the 400 metres title.

The 400 metres was the outstanding event of the afternoon as Steede defeated D. Valentine of Edinburgh and D. Plant of Newcastle into the minor placings in a time of 52.24 seconds. The big question now is can proffesional athletics afford to lose a runner of the calibre of Steede? In the 110 metres Jedforest sprint it was a big day for 18 year old Colin Wrightson of Cramlington. Running from 8½ metres, he ran the fastest heat in 11.73 seconds to make him favourite for the final. In the final he lived up to expectations by winning in 11.67 seconds from J. Usher and J. Davidson. Wrightson took the lead at the 45 metre mark and won by almost a metre. The winner was described as very fit by his trainer Mr H. Melbourne. The 800 metres Open final was the closest distance race seen on the Border circuit this season with only 3 inches separating the two leaders. The winner's ticket went to W. Donald of Bonchester in a time of 1 minute and 53.97 seconds. A. Gray of Morebattle took second place.

Again this week J. Gilmour of Kelso proved himself to be one of our top distance runners. In the 3000 metres Handicap, Gilmour was giving away just too many metres which ultimately pushed him into a third place result. Running off 60 metres Gilmour who is trained by Mr J. Lauder of Kelso was defeated by J. B. Mason from Nether Kellet running off 190 metres and A. Carson of Salsburgh who was handicapped from 170 metres.

Jedburgh and Kelso runners were well to the fore at Jedburgh Border Games on Saturday with Rob Hall of Jed hitting the tape first in the 3000 metres from scratch and Brian (Chico) Woods winning the Tavern 200 metres Handicap. Ian Baillie fromKelso was winner of the 1500 metres.

Twenty year old Brian Armstrong of Newbiggin in Northumberland won thw big race of the day, the 110 metres Jedforest Handicap sprint, producing a tremendous run to breast the tape first and take the £250 first prize. Virtually unknown on the professional athletic scene, Armstrong recorded by far the fastest times of the afternoon in no uncertain manner. The north of England man who is trained by the legendary Albert Spence of Blyth, checked up 11.30 seconds in his heat before winning the cross tie 11.12 seconds. Competing off 10½ metres Armstrong who has been running professionally for exactly a year, then went on to improve on his cross tie time yet again. With a tremendous run in the final, he broke the tape well ahead of M. R. Thomson of Innerleithen and S. Brodie from Edinburgh who were both timed at 11.04 seconds. On asking Armstrong how he felt about winning the sprint which is the blue riband of the summer circuit the Newbiggin student replied, "I'm just over the moon, it's marvelous, not only for myself, but for all those concerned with me, especially my trainer Albert Spence and his son Carl, who have helped me such a lot."
In the Tavern 200 metres Handicap, Jedburgh's Brian Woods put up an excellent show to win the event in style. Woods had earlier been involved in a controversy in the 110 metres Handicap. Despite his own, and the crowd's belief that he had won his heat, the decision in the shorter event went against him. In the 200, however, he showed great purpose in his two runs to lift the £40 first prize. Powering his way to victory in his heat in a time of 22.09 seconds Woods, a 35 year old hosiery worker, produced the goods again in the final to win in 22.23 seconds. After his success, Woods said that he was very disappointed in being put out of the sprint in the way he was since he felt that he could have done really well in that event. This made him all the more determined to prove himself in the 200, and the finish everything worked out alright.
Jedburgh was well to the fore again in the L. S. Starrett 3000 metres Handicap. Local man Rob Hall gave a superb performance to take the £30 prize money. running off scratch, Hall the British 800 metres champion, ran magnificently from start to finish. After cutting through the field, this fine athlete found himself in fourth position with just one lap to go. Urged on by the large crowd, Hall then produced a grandstand finish that saw him overhall A. Carson from Salsburgh, R. Ingham of Skipton and T. Nicholson from Penrith to win in 8 minutes 39.5 seconds. Thirty three year old Ian Baillie of Kelso, notched up his third success of the season by producing a fine display in winning the McEwan's Lager 1500 metres Handicap. Baillie, a previous winner at Markinch and Peebles ran strongly throughout from his mark of 175 metres and never looked like being beaten. M. Elsdon of Hawick, B. Stanage of Innerleithen and I. McKinnon from Edinburgh followed Baillie's winning time of 3 minutes 58.63 seconds. Following the race Baillie who is trained by John Lauder of Kelso said that he was determined to do well on the today since he'd been fourth in this same event at Jedburgh for three yras running. "Now that I have achieved it," he said, "it feels great, especially as it gives me a hat trick of wins for the season." The 800 metres Handicap sponsored by Mainetti UK Ltd saw Billy Duff of Chirnside emerge a clear cut winner. Duff, a twenty four year old bank clerk, won his heat well, in the best time of 1 minute 55.8 seconds. He went on to improve on this by emerging a more than comfortable winner during the final in 1 minute 54.7 seconds. Hawick girl Paula Wilson gave yet another sparkling display in winning the Jedburgh Liberal Club 90 metres youths Handicap. Thirteen year old Paula, victor of the 90 metres Handicap at Selkirk a few weeks back, romped home in her heat in 10.22 seconds. The Hawick high school first year pupil then recorded 9.92 seconds in her cross tie before winning a closely contested final in 9.85 seconds. Paula's trainer, Alan Scott was delighted with her performance remarking that she improves each week and really shows promise for a girl of her age. A real worker at training as well who really loves the competition of the games. In the Tweedale Press Group 1500 metres Youths Handicap, Bonnyrigg youngster A. Inglis ran well to clinch first place. Highlight of this event, however, was the marvellous running of Raymond Johnstone from Cowdenbeath. A winner at Kelso a week earlier, back marker Johnstone ran off a mark of minus 40 metres! Despite this handicap the seventeen year old Fifer scorched his way through the field in style, to gain second place. B. Little of Langholm and G. Lomas from Flookburgh came third and fourth. Thirteen year old Morag Edmondson from Hawick, yet another protegee of the Alan Scott school performed exceptionally well in the Youth's 400 metres. She was, however, pipped at the post by Rochdale's T. Williams in a time of 48.30 seconds with G. Woods of Jedburgh coming in third. Morag, who in only her second outing on the professional circuit, showed that she has a lot to offer in the future. Langholm's S. Little was a 2 metre winner over R. Smith from Hawick in the 800 metres Youth's Handicap in a winning time of 2 minutes 45 seconds. D. Barr of Jedburgh and B. Little from Langholm gained the other places. The 90 metres under 16 race, confined to Jedburgh was won by D. Anderson in 10.73 seconds while in the 90 metres Youth's Handicap, confined to Jedburgh, K. Douglas took first place in 10.77 seconds. In the 110 metres Invitation sprint, Bob Oliver of Kelty broke the tape ahead of George McNeil from Tranent and Carl Grant of Blyth in 11.36 seconds. The tug of war competition saw Hawick Y.M.R.F.C. carry off the £50 first prize by beating Jedforest R.F.C. in the final.

Jedburgh celebrated its festive activities in style with a hat trick of wins at the games in Riverside Park on Saturday. Eighteen year old local boy Nicky Burrell in particular delighted the home crowd by winning the big prize of the day, the Bank of Scotland sponsored Jedforest 110 metres Handicap.

Amember of the John Steede, Brian Woods school, the stylish Burrell established himself an early favourite by cruising to an early win in his first heat in a time of 11.87 seconds. From his mark of 8½ metres, Burrell, a civil engineer then gained a place in the final with an equally spectacular victory in his cross tie which saw him break the tape in 11.66 seconds. The final, however was to be a completely different matter. bringing about one of the closest finishes you could hope to see with more than a hint of controversy thrown in for good measure. Lining up with Stuart Lindsay, Scott Brodie, Bert Oliver and Dave Valentine, all of the Wilson Young camp. Burrell hit the finishing line along with Edinburgh's Brodie in a thrilling race indeed, where the stop watch recorded 11.58 seconds. Following a somewhat prolonged discussion amongst the judges the decision was eventually given to Burrell. The announcement was received rapturously by his supporters, while cries of annoyance came from Brodie supporters. There was no doubt in Burrell's mind, who had got the verdict, with the promising Jedburgh athlete adding, "I won alright, and nobody passed me on the way to that tape. It's just great to win a Handicap and even more so in front of your home crowd." Equally adamant that he had won was second placed Brodie who said, "I'm very disappointed to say the least. I definitely won it but just didn't get the decision, so what more can I say?"
Also well to the fore for Jedburgh was 16 year old Douglas Anderson who produced some superb running to win the Jedburgh Liberal Club Youth's 90 metres Handicap. The powerfully built Anderson who had won the J. G. McDonald 90 metres Youth's Handicap confined to Jedburgh in the morning showed his prowess again, by qualifying for a place in the final with a heat win of 10.44 seconds and a cross tie victory in 10.35 seconds. Yet another protege of the Steede, Woods partnership, Anderson went on to improve even on these times with a scorching run in the final, which saw him shoot from his scratch mark to overhaul the field and gain first place in the absolutely splendid time of 10 seconds.
Making a fine treble for Jedburgh, and indeed the Steede, Woods camp was John Steede himself who triumphed in the Andrew Stewart Woollens Ltd 110 metres Invitation event. In a closely contested race, Steede came out on top in a winning time of 11.04 seconds from A. Lindsay and S. Renwick to make it an excellent day for Jedburgh. Summing up the performances of Burrell and Anderson, a jubilant Steede said that he was delighted with Nicky and Douglas as they had both produced some vintage running and had put a lot of work into training to deserve their success. Hawick and Scotland hooker, Colin Deans notched up his first win on the professional athletics circuit by taking first prize in the Tavern 200 metres Handicap. This was a fine achievement for Deans as he has only been in the pro ranks for a matter of weeks. Following his victory, Deans remarked that there was no one more surprised about the result than himself. "I only stated running to keep fit for the rugby and never expected to pick up any prizes," he said with awe. In the Jedburgh Kilt Maker's 800 metres Handicap, victory went the way of Morebattle's Willy Wight in no uncertain style. Wight clocked up the fastest heat win in 1 minute 51.8 seconds which he won hands down. The final saw Wight emerge again in a class of his own. Leading at the bell, he increased his lead as the race went on to come out a clear cut victor in 1 minute 50.6 seconds with L. Little of Langholm coming in second. The Mainetti 1500 metres Handicap brought about an exciting race that witnessed a fine duel develop between Steve Little of Langholm and Colin Black from Kelso. A lap from home saw John Thomson of Ancrum in the lead, with Black then taking over, hotly pursued by Little. Quickening his stride Little moved up to the front leaving Black a metre behind. It was a two man encounter now, and cheered on by the crowd the Border runners fought out a terrific finish down the home straight with Little just holding off Black's challenge to come in first in 3 minutes 52.5 seconds. Black took second place with Colin Moxey from Hawick and Thomson of Ancrum taking the other places.
The L. S. Starrett 3000 metres Handicap also kept the spectators entertained as another exciting tussle took place. Jed Legion footballer David Barr led for most of this gruelling event and was indeed ahead at the bell for the final lap. Close behind came the fine competition of Jack Knox from Selkirk, who had gradually worked his way through the field from a mark of 110 metres. Showing excellent judgement, Knox, a previous winner of the event began to close the gap on Barr, and on passing the small stand, took over from the young Jedburgh runner. There was no stopping Knox now as he strode down the home straight to win in 8 minutes 35.2 seconds. Barr came in second and Pat Murray of Peebles third. Speaking after the race, a delighted Knox said, "I've been a bit off form of late and haven't won anything for some time so it's grand to get back on the winning scene again. I almost didn't make it though, because two laps from the finish I felt like dropping out. My training companion Keith Carver however, roared me on and I guess that was the encouragement I needed." Fourteen year old Brian Little of Langholm, brother of Mile winner steve, made it a double for the Little family by winning the Tweedale Press Group Youth's 1500 metres Handicap. Trained by John Smith of Langholm, young Little ran a splendid race from his mark of 110 metres to emerge a very comfortable victor, thus continuing the great promise he showed last term. Another fourteen year old of fine potential in Billy Bollard from Cowdenbeath, chalked up success in the Jedburgh Unionist Club 400 metres Youth's Handicap. Winner of the Youth's 90 metres at Meadowbank Stadium at the New Year, Bollard finished ahead of D. Hamilton from Innerleithen and H. Lothian of Walkerburn in 51.5 seconds. A grandstand finish by Innerleithen's Graham Bell earned him first prize in the M & M Joinery 800 metres Youth's Handicap. Bell, who has never been out of the first three, in all the races he has competed in this season produced the goods on the home run when he came from behind to edge out J. Reid of Ulverston and D. Shiel from St Boswells. In the David Thomson 90 metres Handicap for under 16's, confined to Jedburgh event, 13 year old Derek Ferguson took the honours, while the 60 metres Handicap for men over 45 years was won by former top runner Rob Barr running off scratch.

First season campaigner, 22 year old Peter Dods of Galashiels upset the odds at Jedburgh Border Games on Saturday by lifting the top prize of the afternoon, the £300 Jedforest 110 metres Sprint Handicap. It was a fine performance by Dods, especially as he has only been running professionally for a few weeks, and is also part of a coincidental double for Galashiels Rugby Club.

Dods and Kelso Games winner Don Ledingham, apart from being the same age, are both members of the Wilson Young school as well as being team mates in the Gala rugby side. In addition, the pair also set up the fastest times of the day in the finals of their respective triumphs. Gala full back and Scottish B cap Dods, showed his sporting talents were not just confined to the rugby field, by emerging an impressive winner of the Jedforest sprint in a time of 11.77 seconds. The Galashiels joiner duly improved on this by recording 11.58 seconds in his cross tie which put him in the final along with Scott Brodie of Edinburgh, Colin Shanks of Galashiels, George McNeill of Tranent and hot betting favourite, Steven Mitchell from Peebles. Mitchell, winner of the 200 metres Handicap at Kelso the previous week was fastest up in a time of 11. 40 seconds, and the British champion George McNeill clocked up a splendid time of 11.80 seconds in a superb cross tie run from a mark of minus 1½ metres. After the finalist had paraded up the track, during which the crowd gave a special cheer for McNeill's outstanding cross tie performance, the 1980 final got under way from the gun of starter Wilf Tallentine. Running in borrowed spikes, Dods turned on the style and blitzed his way to victory in 11.31 seconds with Mitchell coming in second and the classy McNeill third. Following the final, the victor's coach Wilson Young, who received the Ross Logie Perpetual Trophy fro training the winner remarked, "I'm delighted for Peter, he was just magic, runnignreally well throughout." Wilson added with a smile, "If Gala keep on going like this they will have the fastest back line in the British Isles without any doubt."
David Barr, 19 years old from Jedburgh thrilled the home crowd by gaining the £100 first prize in the Jedburgh Kilt Makers 800 metres Handicap which was a qualifier for the classic at the New Year. Trained by his father Rob Barr, a former half mile champion, and John Steede of Jedburgh, young David was beaten in his heat by John Moxey of Hawick, but qualified for a place in the final by coming in second, in the five heat event. The final however, was a different story with the talented Barr who is also a more than useful footballer for Jed Legion producing the goods. Jedburgh's Hugh Petrie led at the bell, closely followed by a bunch of runners. Whiteford of Innerleithen took over, but Barr then put in his challenge, and showing great determination as well as a touch of poise romped down the home straight ahead of his rivals to break the tape in 1 minute 55.6 seconds. David was rightly pleased with his display and commented afterwards that he was lucky to get into the final by just coming in second in his heat, but this made him all the more determined to try and do well in the final, and surprise, surprise, he got there. Jed rugby winger Sandy Burrell made it a double for the John Steede camp by emerging victorious in the Tavern 200 metres Handicap. But it was not without a hint of controversy, which certainly annoyed some spectators. Competing in heat four of this event, Burrell was involved in a pushing and jostling match on the final bend with some others. The eventual heat winner, J. B. Watson of Windygates was not involved in the incident, as he was ahead of the field at the time and went on to cross the finishing line in 21.85 seconds. A protest was lodged however, about the entire affair, and it was later announced that the heat would be re-run without the winner, who had been put forward to the final. This appeared a somewhat strange decision and one that the crowd did not take to. A re-run it was and Burrell breezed home to win in 21.44 seconds. The Jedburgh student followed this up with a great run in the final in which he produced a real grandstand finish to win from the strong running H. Stoll from Innerleithen and F. Robertson of Galashiels in a time of 22.81 seconds. Winner of the Lauder 110 metres last term Sandy said after his win said, "The carry on in the heat spoiled things a little for me, but I was glad to get another chance to prove myself. It was hard going in the final but I cam strong from behind, saw a gap and managed to take it." Alistair Gray of Morebattle followed up his well merited 800 metres Handicap success at Kelso Games by taking the honours in the Mainetti 1500 metres Handicap, to gain the £70 first prize and the silver challenge cup. Kelso's Ian Baillie made the early running from his mark of 200 metres, and was still ahead of the big field a lap from home with Penrith's Tony Nicholson second and Gray third. By the last bend however, the on form Gray had taken the lead, and although challenged by Colin Moxey of Hawick down the home straight, strode on to win in 3 minutes 55 seconds. Moxey took second place and Alistair Gibson from Whitburn third. The L. S. Starrett 3000 metres Handicap resulted in a convincing win for Alan Robson of Kelso. Having his first season in the professional ranks, Robson who plays footabsll for Kelso United, showed the same fine running that gained him first place in the 1600 metres Handicap at Hawick Games a few weeks back. Scratch man Rob Hall from Jedburgh received a big and desrved ovation from the crowd for taking second place. The Lema Homes 1500 metres Youth's Handicap brought about a grand duel between 10 year old Scott Fulton from Ashington and 11 year old stuart Renton of Hawick. Victory ultimately went to the Northumbrian at the last gasp.

The £400 first prize for the Mounthooly Shop 110 metre Jedforest Handicap Sprint at Jedburgh Border Games went over the Border when Penrith runner Billy Burrell produced the goods to emerge a narrow victor in this event

In a thrilling final which produced a real blanket finish 25 year old Burrell was given the verdict from Gala rugby player Peter Dods and betting favourite Forbes Neish of Hawick. But it was very, very close indeed. So much so that a more than fair amount of the crowd disagreed with the judges decision, thinking that second placed Dods should have been in the winning berth. No one was surer of this than the Galashiels athlete's coach Wilson Young, who stressed emphatically after the verdict had been announced, "Peter won it, there's no doubt whatsoever about that. It was unquestionably a bad decision." It was certainly a tight finish with little or nothing separating the first three, and with all due respect to Burrell, who gave a fine performance from the view point on the tape, Dods had done enough just to win, although there was little in it which left the judges with a difficult task. When all is said and done, one can take nothing away from Burrell's triumph. He ran very well throughout the afternoon from his 11 metre mark, before notching his first sprint win in Scotland. Kelso's Alan Robson emerged a clear winner in the L. S. Starrett 3000 metres Handicap leaving Martin Elsdon and Rob Hall in second and third places respectively. Rugby player Tommy Ireland of Langholm caused something of a surprise by winning the Mainetti 1500 metres Handicap closely followed by Innerleithen's Rob Whiteford and Jim Donald from Whitburn. It was Ireland's first attempt at this distance. The 800 metres Handicap was won by Eddie Bell from Edinburgh. Willie Fraser from Bonnyrigg took first prize in the Youth's 90 metres and 200 metres. Michael Daly from Glenrothes took the victors laurels and carried off first prize in the 200 metres Handicap. The Youth's 1500 metres saw a winner in Hawick's Stuart Renton. The 110 metres Invitation Sprint title went to George McNeill from Tranent, and the Handicap 60 metres sprint for men of 45 years and over fell once more to ex Half Mile British Champion Rob Barr of Jedburgh.

Former Gala Fairydean footballer Bruce Scott of Earlston lifted the biggest prize on the summer professional athletics circuit by winning the 110 metres Jedforest Handicap Sprint at Jedburgh Border Games on Saturday. And a well deserved win it was for the ex Dean full back who was on top form in his three outings. He emerged a worthy winner of the Bank of Scotland sponsored sprint which carried a first prize of £500

Trained by John Steede of Jedburgh who won the same Jedforest Handicap in 1963 and 1972, Scott gave his followers a hint of what was to come by breezing home very comfortably in his heat in a time of 11.78 seconds from his mark of nine metres. The 23 year old Earlston man who was sponsored by Tom Young of Jedburgh, improved on this with a superb cross tie run, which saw him clock up a fine time of 11.34 seconds. This win put him into his first final against a field consisting of Douglas Wilson from Galashiels running off 9½ metres, the promising Neil Turnbull of Peebles off 6 metres, Peter Rowell of Alnwick running from 12½ metres and stable companion Brian Woods of Jedburgh running off the 13 metre mark. With the vast majority of the crowd routing for him, Scott hit the high spots. Getting off to an excellent start, he never really looked like being beaten and powered his way to a convincing victory in 11.35 seconds. Rowell came in second and Turnbull who has all the makings of a future Handicap sprint winner, third. Scott, who, along with the prize money, received the Jim Dodds Memorial Challenge Cup and a silver medal was delighted about his win and said, "I've only been running professionally for two years after stopping football because of injury problems, and so it's a big thrill for me to win something as big as this." The on form Rob Hall of Jedburgh notched his third Handicap success in successive weeks by coming out on top in the 3000 metres L. S. Starrett sponsored Handicap, delighting the home crowd no end in the process. Lake District runner Peter Helme of Ulverston running from 265 metres was the early leader in this event, with Pat Murray from Peebles off the 240 metres mark then hitting the front, before being overtaken by R. Fletcher of Cockermouth running from 210 metres. By this time however, the two back markers, Hall the scratch man and Alan Robson of Kelso with a 55 metres start had worked their way purposefully through the pack, and two lengths from home this talented pair were right up with the leader. At the bell, itwas Hall who was out in front, with Robson close on his heels. With the spectators buzzing with excitement it was a wide open race. Coming off the last bend Robson was just a fraction behind his Jedburgh rival, and put on a fighting rally down the home straight. But cheered on by the home crowd, the lion hearted Hall beat off the challenge and raced on to win in 8 minutes 35 seconds. robson and Harvey Gott from Milnthorpe who ran off 130 metres got the other places. In the 1500 metres sponsored by Mainetti UK Ltd victory went to English runner Derek Garnett from Ulverston, running off 100 metres, who was having only his second outing as a professional. Kelso's Addie Gray running off the 140 metre mark led at the bell before losing the lead to Hugh Petrie of Jedburgh from 110 metres. Seventeen year old Garnett then strode to the front and though pressed down the home straight, managed to hold on and keep out P. Mackay from Flimby running from 110 metres who held on to second place. The winning time was 3 minutes 55.5 seconds.
Bonchester farmer Willie Donald gave a fine account of himself, winning in the Jedburgh Kilt Makers 800 metre Handicap. Running off a mark of 35 metres, 26 year old Donald impressed all, when coming out on top in his heat in 1 minute 55.5 seconds. In the final he produced the goods to the full again at the bell. Edinburgh's Ian McKinnon off 37½ metres was out in front, followed by Neil Common from Crammlington running off 20 metres, then followed Donald. Donald then put on a sprint, took the lead, and although pursued fiercly by Common in the home run, never looked in any danger of being caught, and breasted the tape in a winning time of 1 minute 55.6 seconds. The other positions went to Common and McKinnon. In the Tavern 200 metres Handicap, Hawick runner Alan Renton gave an excellent show. Following a useful display in a similar event at Kelso Games, the weekend before, Renton took the part in winning the heat in 21.91 seconds. In the final, Renton, who has just returned to competetive running after an absence of twelve years, repeated the winning act with a piece of determined running from his 20 metre mark, to emerge the victor in 22.87 seconds. Kenny Turner of Edinburgh took pride of place in the Cannon 90 metres Veteran's Handicap. Competing off a mark of 9½ metres, Turner surged to victory in his heat in a time of 10.50 seconds. In the final he produced another grand run to win from Cramlington's Ivor McAnany, the scratch man and Brian Ford of Hawick running from 10 metres. The winning time was 10.10 seconds. Innerleithen trainers, Charlie Russell and John Muir pulled off a splendid double for their Innerleithen camp in the Youth's 90 metres and 400 metres Handicaps, in which not only school members won, but their respective sons as well. In the David Palmer 90 metres Youth's Handicap, Jedburgh born Steven Russell off 4 metres blitzed his way to a heat win 10.55 seconds, and followed this with a cross tie victory in 10.60 seconds before emerging a convincing winner in the final in 10.36 seconds. Louise Gillie off 16½ metres and Ronald Landers off 6½ metres, both from the John Motion school from Innerleithen got the other pladces. Ian Muir running from 10 metres did the necessary through some strong running over the last 200 metres to gain first place in the Jedburgh Unionist Club 400 metres Handicap in 53.7 seconds. another trainer to pull off a double in the Youths events was Langholm's John Smith. Twelve year old Greig Murray running from 115 metres gave a really spirited show in winning the M & M Joinery 800 metres Handicap in 2 minutes 15 seconds with Duncan Ritchie off 240 metres coming out on top in the Lema Homes 1500 metres Handicap in 4 minutes 9 seconds. In winning however, young Ritchie had to pull out all the stops to keep out the promising Stuart Renton of Hawick who came in second after a fine run from his 170 metre mark. After a heat victory in 24.70 seconds, M. Sterricks of Peebles raced to win in the final of the Lema Homes 200 metres Youth's Handicap 24.43 seconds. Local events that took place in the morning saw 15 year old Michael Ferguson win the J. H. Waldie 90 metres Handicap for under 16 year olds. Derek Ferguson took the Grants Bakery 90 metres under 17's Handicap, and Tam Elder raced to victory in the 60 metres Handicap for men over 45 years of age.

Gala Y. M. rugby player Dougie Wilson hit the high spots in no uncertain terms at Jedburgh Border Games last Saturday by winning the main event on the card, The Bank of Scotland 110 metres Jedforest Handicap Sprint which had a first prize of £500. Competeing from a mark of nine metres, Wilson who appeared in the final of the Sprint last year looked the part while coasting to victory in his heat in a time of 11.68 seconds.

A product of the John Steede school of Jedburgh, Wilson did it all again with another impressive run in his cross tie, which saw him break the tape in 11.56 seconds. This victory put him in the final along with his training camp companion, John Cockburn of Jedburgh running off 9½ metres, Fife policeman, Stan McLeod from Kirkcaldy running from the 5 metre mark, Stuart White of North Berwick with a start off 6½ metres, and Kelso Games winner, Bill Donaldson from Ashington running off 4 metres. The clock made White fastest up in a time of 11.55 seconds and Wilson and Cockburn coming next with recordings of 11.56 seconds. Therefore an open raced looked on the cards. With a duel between Wilson and Cockburn adding extra interest to matters, speculation was high for a victory for the Steede school, and that's the way it turned out to be. The stylish Wilson was the man to take the honours with a fine run that saw him edge out Cockburn and McLeod in a time of 11.56 seconds. Spaeking after his win, Wilson said he had been training really hard for the last four or five weeks and knew he was in with a chance, although there was plenty of danger fom John Cockburn and Stuart White. Coming away well at the start he added, he just did his running from there. Commenting on his two runners, coach John Steede who also trained last year's winner, Bruce Scott of Earlston said there was nothing separating them in the trial, and it was just a matter of who was the best man on the day. David Barr of Jedburgh also brought victory to the Steede school by winning the Jedburgh Kilt Makers 800 metres Handicap, with the final becoming a thriller to say the least. A recent winner of the Cowdenbeath half mile Handicap, Barr showed up well in his heat by finishing strongly to win in 1 minute 53.95 seconds from his 25 metre start. This victory set him up for a last outing , along with Dave Sleman of Whitley Bay from 37½ metres, Tim Winder of Ulvereston running off 20 metres, Harvey Gott of Milnthorpe off a 27½ metres start, Jim Bell of Armadale running from the 37½ metres mark and Jim Stark of Galashiels off 27½ metres. In hot and humid conditions, Suleman headed the field from the start before being overtaken by Winder on the bell, with Barr close behind. Winder, who had won his heat convincingly in 1 minute 56.06 seconds, then really began to apply full throttle, with Barr in close attendance, and a real battle was now on. Coming down the home straight, Winder still held the front but Barr put on his final move, and reared on by the crowd, The Jedburgh athlete found something extra to hit the front and surged ahead to win in 1 minute 53.67 seconds. Looking back on the race, Barr whose father Rob was a runner of the highest calibre in his day, said afterwards that he felt himself struggling a bit towards the last lap, and thought Winder had him, but stuck in behind, and coming down the straight at the finish just managed to find a little bit extra.
Peebles 110 metre Handicap winner David McAllister of Cramlington hit the winning trail again by coming out on top in the Tavern 200 metres Handicap. Following a heat win in 22.36 seconds, McAllister subsequently pulled out the ace card again in the final by producing an explosive finish to gain victory in 21.63 seconds from Chirnside's Billy Duff who ran off 17 metres and Tommy Finkle of Jedburgh, running from 16 metres. Ernie Blair of Whitley Bay, who trains McAllister, also got into the winning act by triumphing in the Cannon 90 metres Handicap for Veterans of 40 years and over. Running from a mark of six metres, blair who notched up the 200 metres Handicap at Langholm and Morebattle last term as well as a 90 metre win at Chirnside won his heat in 10 .32 seconds, before romping home in the final fro A. Cassillis of Scotswood who ran from 8 metres and John Steede of Jedburgh off scratch. His winning time was 10.32 seconds. Cramlington's George Milbourne from a 100 metres start emerged a clear cut winner in the Mainetti 1500 metres Handicap. After taking the lead from Keith Summersgill of Skipton who started from 130 metres, Milbourne showed the field a clear pair of heels and cantered home an easy winner in 3 minutes 53.81 seconds. Summersgill came in second, with former Langholm rugby player Kenny Hogg from eaglesfield, running off a 90 metres start third. The 3000 metres L. S. Starrett Handicap also featured Milbourne and Summersgill in the first two placings, with the victory this time going to the Yorkshire man, who led all the way from his mark of 230 metres to win in 8 minutes 36.19 seconds. Skol sprint winner, Neil Turnbull of Peebles was at his best to take the Spread Eagle Hotel Invitation 110 metre Handicap from David Post of Bathgate and Bruce Scott of Earlston in 11.92 seconds. In the Lema Homes Youth's 1500 metres Handicap, 15 year old Alec Wright of Morebattle, nephew of Willie Wright showed he had his uncle's athletic talents by winning this event in style. Ten year old Liam Culbertson of Innerleithen, a determined little performer, was in the lead a lap from home, only to be overhauled by Wright who had come up well from the back before the home straight, with the Morebattle youngster then finishing strongly to take the honours in 4 minutes 18.12 seconds. Commenting afterwards, young Alec said that he had come looking for a win, but for a while, didn't think he was going to catch the front runners. The up and coming Steven Riddle from Hawick running off 15 metres followed up his recent sprint wins at Hawick and Kelso by taking the Lema Homes 200 metres Youth's Handicap. After a heat victory in 24.57 seconds 14 year old Steven, who was competing in a 200 metre handicap for only the second time, then produced a storming finish in the final to gain a fine win in 24.32 seconds. Cramlington schoolgirl Julie Garner running from the 21 metres mark gave a grand account of herself to win the J. B. Young 90 metres Youth's Handicap from Grant Farquharson of Jedburgh, running off 11 metres and Mark Brodie of Peebles in 10.28 seconds. in the 800 metre events in the morning J. Crone from Cramlington won the M & M Joinery 800 metre Handicap, while Grant Farquharson notched up an excellent double by triumphing in the two 90 metre Youth's Handicaps confined to Jedburgh. Kevin Laing of Edinburgh came out on top in the Jedburgh Unionist Club 400 metres Youth's handicap, and in the 60 metres Handicap for men over 45 years, victory went the way of betting outsider Willie Whitaker.

Hawick junior rugby player Ross Weir gave his best ever performance ont he running track by hitting the top prize on the Border professional athletic circuit, the Lema Homes sponsored Jedforest 110 metres Handicap Sprint at Jedburgh Border games on Saturday. The Hawick Trades winger did it in style with some explosive running in his three outings to take the £500 purse

Second in the final of the recent Cowdenbeath Games Sprint Handicap, Weir made an early impression by romping home to a fine win in his heat in a time of 11.55 seconds and from his 8 metre mark, the powerful built Hawick athlete then did it all again by blitzing to a cross tie triumph in 11.46 seconds. This win sent him into an all Border final, along with training companion Alastair Kendall of Hawick off 12 metres and Jedburgh pair, Tommy Finkle running from 6½ metres and former Riverside Park Sprint winner, Nicky Burrell who ran off the 7½ metre mark. With the bookmakers making Kendall the favourite, and with a lot of local money on Burrell anything looked possible in the final run. Kendall got off to a perfect start and at the 70 metre mark, looked good. Weir however, was in full throttle by this time and showing strength and determination, powered ahead towards the finish, to break the tape in 11.31 seconds. Kendall came in second, and Burrell third. A 24 year old salesman, Weir was highly delighted following his victorious run, commenting that this was his first sprint run, which was a great feeling, especially when in Jedburgh. He owed everything to his trainers, he added, Forbes Neish and Jim Berridge as well as all the lads in the school.
Rob Hall of Jedburgh delighted the home crowd no end by winning the 1000 metres Handicap sponsored by the L. S. Starrett Company. Competing off a mark of 10 metres, Hall ran well from the gun, and two laps from home, was right up amongst the leaders from his back marker position. A lap from home saw the Jedburgh man hit the front a fraction ahead of Penrith's Terry Nicholson running from the 225 metre mark, who had been one of the early pace setters. Nicholson in turn took the lead again, and with Hall on his shoulder a real battle began. The two distance runners duly came off the final bend together, and after running neck and neck, Hall, urged on by a big support found that little bit extra and raced ahead to win in 8 minutes 41.5 seconds. Second place went to Nicholson and third to the steadily improving Robbie George of Jedburgh who ran from a 100 metre start. Brian Woods also put Jedburgh in the winning frame by taking honours in the Spread Eagle Hotel 90 metres Veterans Handicap. A colourful and popular performer on the professional circuit, Woods looked the part in his heat, when running well from his 6 metre start to win in a time of 10.45 seconds. And in the final Brian pulled out all the stops again with a positive show that saw him hold off a strong challenge from the fastest heat winner, Ivor McInany, the scratch man, from Cramlington to win well in 10.23 seconds. The other placings went to McInany and Eddie Dunbar from Annan who ran off 5 metres.
In the Mainetti 1 mile Handicap, John Boyd of Kelso gave a good account of himself, to lift the £100 prize with an accomplished display. With rain falling heavily, I. Knox of Kelso running off 130 metres, and Morebattle's M. Fox off 130 metres were the early leaders in a big field. By the second last lap however, Boyd who has been knocking at the door for a win during these last four weeks was looking very handy in third position, with Jedburgh's David Barr also coming onto the scene from a mark of 30 metres. Boyd then made his move, and after exploding into the lead with a sudden burst, surged ahead to win well, despite a challenge from Barr who had to settle for second, with A. Carrigan from Carlisle off 130 metres, who came third. The watch recorded a winning time of 3 minutes 55.3 seconds. Reflecting on the race, John said that he had his doubts about winning with two laps to go since there were a couple of runners in front who appeared to be going well. He could hear from the commentary that David Barr was moving up from the rear. Deciding it was now or never at the last lap, he kicked on and quite surprised himself with the finish. Workington's Tom Louden gave a gritty display to take the honours in the Jedburgh Kilt Makers 800 metres Handicap. After winning his heat in a time of 1 minute 54.24 seconds, the Englishman led all the way in the final from his 90 metre mark, and although tiring towards the finish, held on grimly to win from James Whiteford of Innerleithen who ran from 40 metres, and Tommy Elder of Jedburgh off 47½ metres to win in 1 minute 54.14 seconds. Victory in the Tavern 200 metres Handicap went the way of Billy Billy Macrae of Edinburgh, running from 16 metres, who held off a great tally from Selkirk rugby Billy Rutherford from Peebles off 14 metres in the final to win a keenly fought event in 21.74 seconds. Rutherford took second place, and J. Douglas of Canonbie, running off the 21 metre mark, third. The John Smith school of Langholm had a great field day, by winning no fewer than four of the youths events on the card. This fine feat was creditable to John and his talented youngsters. David Little notched up a double for the Smith camp, by first of all winning the J. H. Waldie Youths Confined to Scottish Borders 90 metres Handicap in the morning, and then following this up with another victory in the afternoon, by taking the J. B. Young 90 metres Youths Handicap from K. Redpath of Innerleithen and D. Johnstone of Langholm in 10.20 seconds. Stuart Jackson was another Langholm victor when he edged out training companion Duncan Ritchie in the M & M Joinery Youths 800 metres Handicap in 2 minutes 3.30 seconds. The highlight of the Smith school's success, however was the performance of tiny 10 year old schoolgirl Karen Murray, who stole the hearts of the crowd by coming out on top in Andrew Stewart Woollens Yoouths 200 metres Handicap. Making her debut on the professional running track, young Karen gave a really remarkable performance, that was a combination of great spirit, and an abundance of natural running ability. Showing tremendous style and flair for such a young girl, Karen soared to victory in her heat in a time of 24.38 seconds. Competing off a mark of 50 metres, Karen in turn showed a good class field a clean pair of heels in the final with another superb run, in which, because of her height, she crossed the winning line by running underneath the tape in a time of 23. 15 seconds. Second place went to 16 year old R. Landles from Innerleithen, running off 10 metres, and third to D. Johnstone of Langholm off 10 metres. In the Ritchie Thomson Youths 1500 metres Handicap, Alan Scott of Peebles running from 180 metres capped a fine run, by producing a grandstand finish down the home straight, to overhaul promising youngster, Mark Dixon from Kelso off the 260 metre mark, and won in 4 miutes 18.44 seconds. Dixon and Greg Murray of Langholm, off 205 metres came in second and third. Up and coming Hawick teenager Steven Riddell who had several wins to his credit last season ran well to win the Jedburgh Unionist Club Youths 400 metres Handicap in 53 73 seconds while David McAllister from Cramlington won the Brown Sugar 110 metre Invitation Handicap in 11.59 seconds from Jim Thomson of Edinburgh and Neil Turnbull of Peebles. Albert Straker gave a good show to clinch victory from his 8 metre mark, to win the 60 Metres Handicap for Men over 45 Years, Confined to the Parish of Jedburgh in 8.08 seconds. The Race Around the Town brought a dead heat between Robbie Lindores and Lenny Wyse.

Jedburgh Border Games lived up to its reputation of being the 'Blue Riband meeting of the Summer Circuit' at Riverside Park, when the crowds enjoyed some well balanced races, with more than a fair share of close and exciting finishes. The main event on the card, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill 110 metres Jedforest Sprint Handicap saw the £500 first prize going to Mike Thomson of Innerleithen, who produced one of his best ever running displays to storm home in a time of 11.40 seconds

A representative for Slazenger Sports, Mike who won the St Ronan's Games Sprint Handicap seven years ago showed that he meant business on his opening run, when he surged home in 11.40 seconds, the fastest of the heat times. The 32 year old Innerleithen man, who is trained by Tom Beaumont of Peebles, in turn did it all again in the cross tie, this time with an improved performance that saw him break the tape in 11.37 seconds. He was joined in the final by North of England hope Gary Charlton of Gateshead off 9½ metres, Poynder Park rugby favourite Alan Tait of Kelso running off 9 metres and Gordon Bury from Lockerbie off 9 metres. It looked like being an interesting final and that's just the way things turned out. With rain now falling heavily, it was Thomson who pulled out the trump card with a great run from his back position of 7½ metres to gain victory in a close cut finish in a time of 11.40 seconds. Kelso's Alan Tait clinched second place with Charlton third. Speaking immediately after his winning run Thomson said that it had been quite some time since he'd had a handicap win, and that he felt great to be back in the frame again. Moving to Peebles to train had made a great difference to him where he received the best coaching from Tom Beaumont. Working out at training with the likes of Neil Turnbull, who is a great runner, he added, can only do you good. Jedburgh's David Barr emerged the town's local hero of the day, by taking pride of place in the Jedburgh Kilt Makers 800 metres Handicap, an event that he has now won three times. Coached by his uncle, John Steede, the local runner impressed all when winning his heat in a time of 1 minute 54.5 seconds, and then did like wise in the final. Hawick's Alistair Taylor, running fom 45 metres led at the bell, with Alistair Black from Kelso off 42½ metres in hot pursuit. Barr had moved up well from his 22½ metre mark by this time however, and urged on by the crowd, produced a splendid finish from Black and Taylor in 1 minute 54.87 seconds. Barr's victory made it a nap hand for the Steede camp, for in the Games morning events, John Steede had helped guide promising 12 year old Jill Ferguson to victory in the Youths 90 mertre Handicap Confined to Jedburgh as well as Tony Williamson and Shamus Weightman to victory in the other Youths events, while Albert Straker had triumphed in the 60 metres Handicap for Men over 45 Years of age. Following his 1600 metres success at Selkirk, John Boyd from Kelso running off 105 metres hit the winning trail again by coming out on top in the Mainetti 1500 metres Handicap.
Workington's T. Lowden off 155 metres set a fast pace before being overtaken by L. Knox of Kelso, running off 140 metres. Knox continued to stride out after this, and was in front when the bell sounded for the last lap. Boyd was gaining ground, and the Davie Campbell trained runner duly showed his mettle with a fine piece of acceleration which saw him overhaul the front men with a powerful finish to a time of 3 minutes 53.6 seconds. Keith Summergill of Skipton, running off 125 metres finished second with David Thomson from Ancrum, off 120 metres coming home third. Reflecting back on the race, Boyd said that he found it hard to live with the pace at the start, and at the bell would have been happy just to get a place. Realising the leaders were tiring, he gritted his teeth and managed to get there. John McIntosh from Bonnyrigg, running from 225 metres made it a double for the Campbell camp by gaining first place in the L. S. Starrett 1000 metres Handicap. After battling it out with Keith Summergill of Skipton running off 205 metres for most of the way, McIntosh then kicked on to leave the field behind and win in a time of 8 minutes 34 seconds from Summergill and Robbie George of Jedburgh who ran off 95 metres. World 100 metre champion Steve Proudlock of Australia, who had been beaten earlier in the finals of the Jedforest 110 metre Sprint Handicap, failed to break the world record he was aiming for in a special Invitation Sprint. This was not altogether surprising however, given that conditions were very much against such a bid. The event did bring about an exciting encounter which saw the honours go to Colin Wrightson of Dudley off 1½ metres from Proudlock, the scratch man and Bert Oliver from Kelty who ran off 3 metres in a close finish. The watch stopped at 11.58 seconds. A blanket finish was also witnessed in the Tavern 200 metres Handicap, in which victory went the way of Brian Whitelaw of Winchburgh, who gave a fine show from his 18 metre mark to win in 21.36 seconds. The up and coming Glyn Davies of Hawick running from 14 metres finished second, with Jedburgh's Harry Hogg off 16 metres third. After winning his heat in a time of 10.52 seconds, Innerlethen's Alan Lindsay off 1 metre, pulled out the stops again in the final of the Lema Homes 90 metre Veterans Handicap by edging out Hawick duo, Billy Edgar off 5 metres and Brian Ford running off 8 metres in a time of 10.31 seconds. Thirteen year old Craig Waldie of Hawick made an impressive debut on the professional track by winning the J. B. Young Youths 90 metres Handicap in great style. Trained by former professional runner Eddie Falconer of Hawick, Waldie looked something special on this showing. Competing off a mark of 8 metres, the Hawick High School pupil soared to a fine win in his opening run in a time of 10.10 seconds. He repeated the victory run in his cross tie, and then sealed a tip-top performance by blitzing to a final win in 9.89 seconds. Girl runner Shirley Griffiths from Cramlington, running from 205 metres, ran a well judged race to win the Spread Eagle Hotel Youths 1500 metres Handicap in 4 minutes 20.8 seconds. The crowd, however gave a special cheer to little Neil Beaumont of Peebles who ran his heart out to come in second. Competing bare footed, 10 year old Neil is the son of well known coach Tom Beaumont who must have been delighted with his offspring's running debut. The M & M Joinery Youths 800 metres Handicap was won by A. Griffiths from Cramlington with G. Murray of Langholm taking second place and D. Dougal of Innerleithen third. The Andrew Stewart Woollen Mill Youths 200 metres Handicap produced a win for D. Richardson from Ashington. Second place went to D. Graham of Hawick and third to J. Jordan from Carlisle.
The Race Round the Town was won by S. Ferguson.

Jedforest rugby threequarter Harry Hogg was the toast of Jedburgh when he won the Edinburgh Woollen Mill 110 Metre Jedforest Sprint Handicap at the local Games on Saturday. Betting favourite with the bookmakers, 22 year old Hogg produced his best ever running as a senior and duly took the honours in style, to the delight of the crowd.

A well known figure on the rugby front, Hogg who has of late played in Italy and Holland, showed what he had to offer by breezing home in his heat in a time of 11.91 secs from a 7½ metre handicap. The Jed man then pleased his camp and his followers with a cross-tie triumph in 11.50 seconds. This victory put him into an all Border final along with the evergreen Brian Woods of Jedburgh running off 14 metres, Alan Lindsay from Innerleithen handicapped from 8 metres, and the sprint's big surprise newcomer, Ian Ballantyne of Selkirk running from the 6½ metre mark, who had come out of the blue to gain a finals place after only three previous appearances on the professional athletics track. With the afternoon sun breaking through, the scene was set for an enthralling last run. And enthralling was the way it turned out. From the starter's gun the four sprinters rose well from their blocks, and as the previous times had indicated, it was close, with the four finalists hitting the tape with little between them. The verdict immediately went the way of Hogg, with Lindsay coming a close second, and Ballantyne third. The watch recorded a winning time of 11.36 seconds. It was not a decision thet all agreed with. But Hogg was certainly the outright winner even though it was close. Hogg who notched up several wins in distance events as a youth on the pro circuit, before leaving the scene to concentrate on rugby, returned to the fray recently. After being congratulated by his coach Jim Telfer who has been his guiding light thriughout his running days, Harry said, "It's a great day for me. I've always wanted to win the Jed sprint. I've been a bit behind with my training because of rugby, but Jim has really put me through the mill these past few weeks, and today everything just went into place." Telfer was equally delighted about his man's success and commented, "Harry's put a bundle into his training. He did everything I asked of him and has got his reward."
Hawick's Forbes Neish appeared to have won the Tavern 90 metres Handicap, with a powerhouse finish, a new event on the Jedburgh programme that has replaced the 200 metres handicap. The Judges, however, cast their votes the way of Stuart Harris of Carlisle, who was credited to have broken the tape ahead of Neish in a time of 9.40 seconds. The Hawick man was placed second, and Billy Duff of Chirnside third. The announcement was given a hostile reception from the crowd. But rightly or wrongly, it is the name of Harris, who always gives his all, that will go down in the record books. Drama was also the name of the game in the Jedburgh Kilt Makers 800 Metres Handicap. This time in the form of a thrilling finish involving Brian Falconer from Hawick and James Whiteford of Innerleithen, who were both competing off the 25 metre mark. After both had impressed with heat wins, the battle for honours in the final was on from the start. The last lap saw Falconer, winner of the 800 metres Handicap at the New Year, hit the front with Whiteford hot on his tail. A real duel was now on, and in a great run in, Falconer had managed to prove the stronger and won in 1 minute, 55.17 seconds. The other position went to Whiteford, and third place to Colin Renton of Galashiels, who ran off 52 metres. Following his win, Falconer who is trained by Vic Tokely said, "I knew James Whiteford was my biggest danger, and I tried to break him early on. He kept at me though, and it was some race, especially at the finish." Classy George Milbourne of Cramlington, who has not been seen on the circuit for two full seasons, bounced back on top by coming out on top in the Mainetti Mile. The Borders have produced several highly talented youngsters in the professional ranks in recent years, and fitting right into this category on Saturday was Craig Waldie of Hawick who produced some first class sprinting to win the M & M Joinery Youths 90 Metres Handicap. Winner of the self same event last year, 14 year old Craig, who was off a handicap of three metres looked the part in winning his heat. In the final he produced the same sparkling form to storm home in 9.98 seconds from James Clamp of Jedburgh running off 13 metres and Ian Turnbull of Hawick who handicapped from 17 metres. Fifteen year old Darren Dougal of Innerleithen running from the 115 metre mark, gave a fine account of himself to win the Spread Eagle Hotel Youths 1500 Metres Handicap. Barefooted Neil Beaumont of Peebles, handicapped at 22 metres, set the early pace with Langholm's Greg Murray running off 110 metres duly taking over before the bell for the last lap. Dougal who is coached by John Motion, who does a fine job in trtaining youngsters in the Innerleithen area, then put in his bid. Lengthening his stride, he nosed in front to power on and win in a time of 4 minutes and 24.82 seconds. Murray came in second, and M. McGovern of Walkerburn who ran from 10 metres came home in third position.
In the Lema Homes 90 Metres Veterans Handicap, Dave Deas of Kelty hit some fine form to win from scratch in 10.14 seconds, from P. Rowell of Alnwick running from 4 metres and Billy Edgar of Hawick running off 6 metres, while in the L. S. Starrett 3000 Metres Handicap, Penrith's Tony Nicholson from a handicap of 235 metres led all the way to win from Logan Knox of Kelso running from 160 metres and Harvey Gott of Milnethorpe off 30 metres. Results in the Games mornings events saw Craig Patterson of Kelso win the Youths 800 Metres Handicap, Shamus Weightman of Jedburgh the 400 Metres Handicap, Tony Williamson the Youths 90 Metres Confined Handicap. The Youths 90 Metres Open Handicap was won by Lennox McBay from Langholm, and the 60 Metres Handicap for Men over 45 Years went to Tom Elder. In what turned out to be a good day's running, the occasion was helped by the clear and prompt announcements and commentary of Ronnie Stewart of Jedburgh.

from the Southern Reporter

Thursday 16th July 1987

No stopping Jed runners on Home Ground

Jedburgh boosted its festive activities to the full by producing no fewer than five handicap winners in the professional Games at Riverside Park on Saturday. All five victories went down well with the home crowd and with the sunshine coming out for good measure, following the heavy rainfall of the previous day, the locals had every reason to be happy about the day's proceedings.

Biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Brian 'Chico' Woods, who hit the high spots to win the Tavern 90 Metres Handicap. A well liked figure on the professional circuit, Woods who always gives his all, showed some purposeful running in the early stages of the full Jedburgh card, by winning his heat in the 110 Metres Sprint Handicap. After being narrowly beat in the semi-finals of this event, Woods switched his bid for glory to the shorter sprint distance, and what a successful move this was to be for him. Competing off a mark of 10½ metres, Chico duly showed what he had to offer, by storming home to a heat win in 9.72 seconds. Come the final, he produced another all-out run in which he held off strong challenges from the back, to win in 9.62 seconds from Colin Wrightson of Dudley running off ½metre and Rob Wilson of Kelty handicapped from 3 metres. Keith Douglas, winner of the Hawick Common Riding Sprint was first to put victory Jedburgh's way in the afternoon's events, by triumphing in the L. S. Starrett Co Ltd 100 Metres Invitation Sprint. Facing stiff opposition, Douglas, who is just 21 years old, showed both style and power by pulling this one off, and romping home to an excellent win in 11.72 seconds from Alan Tait of Kelso, and Scott Brodie of Edinburgh. In the Jedburgh Kiltmakers 800 Metres Handicap, Russell Wight also put victory the John Steede camp's way by winning the event well. A 23 year old brick layer, Wight failed to win his heat, but qualified for the final run as one of the fastest losers. Second time out, however, Wight off the 35 metre mark and running in the final for the third year in succession really got his act together. After lying second to Morebattle's Stan Scott running off 40 metres, for most of the last lap he powered ahead in the home straight to take the honours in 1 minute and 58.81 seconds. Gareth Scott started the ball rolling for Jedburgh by taking the J. B. Young Youths 800 Metres Handicap in the morning, before Tony Williamson recorded an excellent win in the Youths 90 Metre Handicap sponsored by M & M Joinery. From his four metre mark, he surged to victory in the final in a winning time of 10.43 seconds. John Nairn from Kelso, handicapped at 10½ metres, and Stuart Phaup of Innerleithen running off 11 metres gained the other places.
In the main event of the day, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill 110 Metre Jedforest Sprint Handicap, victory eluded Jedburgh, but just by a hair's breadth. Going for a first prize of £500 high-flying Sandy Burrell appeared to have all the credentials to pull this one off for his home town. Looking the part after heat and cross-tie wins of 11.77 seconds and 11.56 seconds, Burrell in turn produced his running again in the final from his 5½ metre mark. But, despite a powerhouse finish, he failed to catch Alan Watt of Wallsend who stormed home to break the tape in 11.47 seconds. Running off a handy mark of 8 metres considering he won the Morebattle Sprint last year, Watt had previously taken his heat and cross-tie in times of 11.90 seconds and 11.60 seconds. Burrell emerged a close second, with Hawick twosome Keith Brown and Ross Weir, who were both off a mark of 4½ metres coming in third and fourth. Kelso's John Boyd, from a handicap mark of 65 metres, registered his third win in three weeks, by taking pride of place in the Minetti Mile Handicap in 4 minutes and 05.22 seconds from Mark Fox of Morebattle running off 90 metres and David Barr of Jedburgh off scratch. Making his first appearance on the professional track, thirteen year old Stuart Phaup of Innerleithen, handicapped from 13 metres, caught everyone's attention in winning the J. H. Waldie Youths 90 Metres Handicap Confined to the Borders in 10.05 seconds from Jedburgh's Jill Ferguson and Patricia Reilly. Phaup's training companion, Callum McBeth of Peebles also got into the opening frame by coming out on top in the Andrew Stewart Woollens 200 Metres Handicap from Hawick's Craig Waldie, and Scott Elliot of Jedburgh in 22.37 seconds. The two winning youngsters are both coached by John Motion. In the Lodge St John Youths 1500 Metres Handicap, S. Fleming of Backbarrow crossed the finishing line well ahead of the field only to be disqualified for accidentally running from a mark of 205 metres, instead of his scheduled one hundred metre handicap. The places in this event went to Greg Murray of Langholm running off 25 metres, Darren Dougal of Innerleithen off scratch and Neil Beaumont of Peebles running from 180 metres. Scott Elliot took the honours in the Youths 90 Metres Handicap Confined to Jedburgh, while Albert Straker won the 60 Metres Handicap for Men over 50 Years of age. In the Veterans Sprint, Dave Deas of Kelty edged out Billy Edgar of Hawick and John Mallay of Walkerburn. Tony Williamson was presented with the Andrew Robson Memorial Trophy for the most promising youth of the day.

from the Southern Reporter

Thursday 14th July 1988

Jed Sprint Champ's last Pro Run?

Jedburgh Border Games, the blue riband event of Scotland's Professional summer athletics circuit brought contrasting stories for local sprinters Brian 'Chico' Woods and Keith Douglas this year. For Woods it was a day of joy and jubilation as he romped home to victory in the Lema Homes 90 Metres Handicap. But for Douglas, the curent British 90 Metres, 100 Metres, 110 Metres and 200 Metres Champion, it was an afternoon of despair.

Douglas was unlucky to say the least. Competing in the L. S. Starrett 110 Metres Invitation Handicap, the in-form Jedburgh man found himself facing the best the pro running game had to offer in 1987 British 110 Metre champion David McAllister from Cramlington hindicapped from 1 metre, Colin Wrighton from Dudley, also handicapped off 1 metre, New Year Sprint winner Eric Smart of Whitley Bay off 2 metres and former Scottish amateur Internationalist Scott Brodie of Musselburgh running off the 3 metre mark. Also in the line up was Widnes Rugby League winger, and ex-Scotland Rugby Union internationalist Alan Tait handicapped from 4 metres, former British 400 Metres champion, David Greive of Hawick off 5½ metres, and one time Jedburgh Border Games Sprint winner, Bruce Scott from Earlston running from 3 metres. Running from the back mark position off scratch, Douglas was going to have to be at his very best to pull this one off, and he came so very close to doing this in style. Coached by Jedburgh's John Steede, Douglas got off to a tremendous start and through a superb piece of sprinting stormed down the track. Urged on by the home crowd, he hit the front position, then it all went wrong. With victory in his grasp, the Douglas glory bid ended dramatically when he jolted to a halt before dropping to the ground with a recurence of a hamstring injury. First place went to Brodie who broke the tape in 11.60 seconds, with Wrightson and McAllister gaining the other two placings. For Douglas, it was indeed a heartbreak, for he had produced the goods and was emerging a clear winner before being taken by fate. Talking afterwards, a despondent Douglas commented, "I'm very disappointed, I had the race won. I really wanted to win this race as it was in front of my home crowd. Apart from winning, I was attempting to break the track record and I think I would have pulled it off." The Jedburgh man went on to reveal, "That could be my last run as a professional in this country. I won't be running again this season as I will be working out in the gym in an attempt to build up my strength. I would then like to run on the Pro circuit in Australia for a spell. After this, I'm considering turning amateur. I've given it a lot of thought, and I feel it's time to make a move."
On the other side of the coin, 'Chico' Woods brightened up Jedburgh's day by winning the 90 Metres Veterans Sprint. The Jedforest Rugby Club Spongeman looked the after winning his heat in 10.39 seconds from a 6½ metres handicap. A colourful character on the pro circuit, Woods did it all again in the final, with an excellent run which saw him gain victory in 10.39 seconds from Willie Beattle of Workington running off 7 metres and Mike McMahon from Penrith off the 11½ metres mark. Biggest prize money of the day went the way of Alan Crawford of Annan who took the honours and the £500 first prize in the Edinburgh Woollen Mill 110 Metres Jedforest Sprint Handicap. A 25 year old coach builder, Crawford clocked up the fastest time of the heats, breezing to a convincing win in 11.57 metres from a 7½ metre handicap mark. Trained by Charlie Affleck of Roslin, Crawford powered to a cross tie victory in 11.44 seconds. Lining up against Cramlington's Ivor McAnanay, running off 10½ metres, Donald Campbell of Lochgelly off 10½ metres and local hope, Gary Foggan running from 8½ metres, the strong running Crawford excelled himself in his last outing with a superb run from start to finish, to win in 11.27 seconds. McAnanay, who won the same sprint 27 years back, as a teenager emerged second and Campbell third. One of the most exciting finishes of the day came in the Maietti Mile Handicap when Morebattle pair, Ian McKenzie and Mark Fox fought out a thrilling duel to gain the £100 first prize and Silver Challenge Cup. Yorkshireman Keith Summergill of Skipton handicapped at 80 metres set the early pace before being overtaken by Fox. The lead changed hands again when Brian Wilkie of Mayfield running off 35 metres strode ahead. With Fox and McKenzie close on his heels, anything was likely to happen. It did when McKenzie moved up a gear to hit the front on the home bend. Matters were far from over though, for back came Fox in the final straight with a surging rally. But McKenzie had something in reserve and managed to hold on to win. Looking back on his winning run, McKenzie who is now caoched by Vic Tokely said, "I felt Mark Fox and Brian Wilkie were the danger men. When Brian took the lead he played into my hands though, as I've got a bit of a finish. When I passed him before the last straight, I thought I had it, but Mark came right back at me and made me go all the way." Victory also went Morebattle's way in the Jedburgh Kiltmakers800 Metres Handicap when Stan Scott handicapped from 50 metres pulled out the trump card. Scott showed his mettle by winning his heat in 1 minute and 58 seconds. This victory put him in for an all Border final along with Craig Patterson of Kelso off 45 metres, Edie Bell running from 12½ metres and Kenny Little off 20 metres. both from Langholm. Turning out in his third Jedburgh final in successive years, it proved to be third time lucky for the Morebattle distance runner, who simply dominated the race throughout to win from Little and Bell in 1 minute and 56.73 seconds. High flying Colin Wrightson from Dudley running from 1½ metres gave a tip top display to lift the Tavern 90 Metres Handicap. After winning his heat in style, Wrightson, a former 100 and 110 metres champion, hit the victory trail again in the final by surging to a fine win in 9.57 seconds. Hawick fireman, John Mallin running off 4½ metres gave a good account of himself to clinch second place, third position going to Billy Duffy of Cardenden, who was handicapped at 6 metres. Sixteen year old Billy Jenkins of Jedburgh running off 10 metres gave the crowd something to enthuse over by winning the Lodge St John 1500 Metres Handicap. A member of the John Steede training camp, Jenkins took the lead from fellow Jedburgh youngster Colin George who started from 130 metres, during the last lap, and from here on, the race was well and truly his. George came in second and Neil Beaumont of Peebles, running from 155 metres came third. Lisa Chisholm running off 18½ metres made it a Jedburgh double in the youths events by gaining first place in the J. H. Waldie 90 Metres Handicap Confined to Scottish Borders. The other placings went to Jedburgh's Lisa Morrison and Jill Ferguson both running from 12½ metres. Back marker Steven Hyde of Cramlington handicapped from 1 metre, scorched to a splendid win in the M & M Joinery Youths 90 Meteres Handicap from David Rae of Hawick running off 11½ metres, and Sharon Black from Innerleithen off 16 metres in a time of 10. 10 seconds. Another north of England youngster, the vastly improved Paul Richardson of Ashington who ran from 110 metres emerged the winner of the J. B. Young 800 Metres Youths Handicap.

from the Southern Reporter

Thursday 13th July 1989

Thrills and Spills at Jedburgh Games

Jedburgh Border Games celebrated its 136th anniversary with a really excellent card of events at Riverside Park in July 1989. Good running, exciting finishes and some tremendous individual performances were the order of the day in a full Riverside programme, which saw over £2,000 paid out in prize money. The main event of the day, the Edinburgh Woollen Mill Jedforest 110 Metre Handicap Sprint, which offered a first prize of £500, particularly brought about some lively competition and interest, with victory in this one going to high flying Steven Duncan of Dalkeith.

Mentioned in recent weeks as one to watch out for, 20 year old Duncan certainly proved to be worth watching. Competing from a mark of 6½ metres, the stylish Duncan, a comparative newcomer to the pro athletic scene showed he had something special to offer in his opening run, by recording the fastest heat win and breezing home to an impressive victory in 11.61 seconds. With Border hopes pinned on Jedburgh's own Douglas Russell who was running off 10½ metres, plus Hawick pair Brian Hogg off 7½ metres and Keith Suddon off 7½ metres, Duncan was going to have to be at his best to do the necessary in the final, and the Dalkeith man did just that. Looking cool and confident, Duncan, a paint sprayer who found himself unemployed a few days before the games got off to a perfect start and duly turned on the style with a scorching run to match victory on the tape in a thrilling finish from Russell, Suddon and Hogg respectively. The watch recorded a winning time of 11.55 seconds. Local runner, Billy Jenkins running from 90 metres, delighted the home crowd by pulling out the stops to win the Mainetti Mile in convincing fashion. A real hundred per cent man, Jenkins set the pace from the gun and simply headed the field throughout. With the cheers of the home crowd ringing in his ears, he particularly showed his mettle in the last lap by moving up a gear to surge on to a fine victory in 3 minutes and 58.28 seconds. Alex Steede also put victory Jedburgh's way by triumphing in the Veterans 90 Metres Handicap. The final of this event, however, turned out to be a truly remarkable affair. First of all, starter Allan Laidlaw pulled up John Steede running from 8½ metres for a flying start, for which he was penalised and pulled a metre. Hawick's Billy Edgar running off 13 metres then jumped the gun, and received a similar penalty, while furthere confusion reigned when John Bury of Lockerbie, off 20 metres, pulled a calf muscle in going off and subsequently had to withdraw. Matters were far from over, however, for at the third time of asking, another false start was recorded with John Steede again the culprit. After being pulled back another metre, the event eventually got underway, and in what turned out to be a tight ending, it was Alex Steede who gained the verdict in 9.72 seconds. Edgar gained second place and John Steede came in third. New Year sprint winner Tommy Finkle made it a hat trick of Jed wins in showing he had lost none of his sparkle, by coming out on top in the L. S. Starrett Ltd 110 Metres Invitation Sprint, from British 100 metres and 110 metres champion David McAllister of Cramlington and Colin Wrightson of Dudley in a time of 12 seconds.
New face Tom Ritchie from Kirkcaldy gave a real top notch show to take the honours in the Jedburgh Kiltmakers 800 Metres Handicap. A former amateur runner, Ritchie who has just joined the professional ranks looked a real class performer on this showing, and certainly made a big impression on his debut appearance on a Border track. Competing off the scratch mark, the 23 year old Fife athlete impressed from the start and immediately made his presence felt by moving through the field with pace and style. James Whiteford of Innerleithen, running off 50 metres headed the pack towards the home straight, but by this time, Ritchie was really beginning to make his bid from the back. With the crowd sensing something special was on, the flying Fifer then really opened out firing on all cylinders, by producing a grandstand finish to overtake the front runners and gain a splendid win in 1 minute and 53.31 seconds. Mark Colligan of Whitburn, off 42½ metres took second place, and Whiteford third. Hawick fireman, John Mallin, running from 10 metres blazed a trail to win the Scottish Brewers 300 Metres Handicap. A member of the Forbes Neish school, Mallin looked a convincing figure in winning his heat in 35.59 seconds and come the final, he repeated the victory act by crossing the finishing line in 35.16 seconds, from the British 800 metres champion Kenny Whiteford of Innerleithen running from 14 metres, and Bruce Scott of Earlston off 8 metres. Malin's stable companion Tony Stanger, running from the 6½ metre mark also got into the winning frame by taking pride of place in the Tavern 90 Metres Handicap. A useful looking prospect, Hawick rugby player, Stanger blitzed to a heat win in 9.89 seconds before storming home in a keenly contested final from Gordon Newelands of Selkirk running off 6 metres and Hawick's Ross Weir off 5½ metres in a time of 9.85 seconds. The Neish camp also recorded another win when 16 year old Scott Renwick running from 1 metre produced the goods in the D & E Fencing Youths 200 Metres Handicap. Son of former rugby internationalist Jim Renwick, Scott surged to first place in his heat in 25.33 seconds. Although competing from the back mark position, he overcame this handicap in the final with another fine display to match victory in an exciting finish timed at 24.98 ceconds from G. Gilfillan of Crossgates running off 11 metres and John Nairn of Kelso running from the 4 metre mark. Promising youngster David Rae of Hawick running off 3½ metres emerged victor of the M & M Joinery 90 Metres Youth Handicap. Trained jointly by Billy Edgar and David Grieve, Rae, following a good heat win shot to victory in the final in 10. 67 seconds. The other placings went to Karen Murray of Langholm from the 13½ metres mark and Hawick's Scott Renwick running off 1 metre. After twicw gaining second place as well as a third position in the Lodge St John Youths 1500 Metres Handicap at Riverside, Neil Beaumont of Peebles put matters right by winning this event well. Running from a mark of 130 metres, 14 year old Neil, who was making his first appearance on the track for a year, following a skiing accident, ran well throughout and thoroughly deserved his first ever handicap victory. Ian Turnbull of Hawick off 60 metres gained second position, and Grant Anderson from Chirnside running off 90 metres took third. The winning time was 4 minutes and 26.4 seconds.

Jedburgh's Harry Hogg breezes through the tape in a very close finish of the 1986 Edinburgh Woollen Mill 110 metres sprint final.