IT was a Gala day at Earlston on Saturday for the opening meeting of the Border Games circuit. No fewer than three of the senior sprint races were won by Galashiels athletes. Debutant Callum Murray broke the tape in the main open 90 metres, while his former team-mate at Gala Wanderers, Fraser Welsh, landed the 200 metres. And the evergreen Gavin Maule retained his special sprint crown – beating several national Paralympic athletes to the line.
Murray’s win in the main event crowned a great day for the Tweedbank-based TLJT club. And the 18-year-old champion, who heads for Stirling University after the summer, admitted it was one of his training partners that helped him to the line. Callum, who run from 9 metres, told us: “I could see Angus Stanners out of the side of my eye and I knew I had to go to beat him. “It’s great to have won at my first games and I hope I’ll reach more finals over the summer.” Stanners (7) was inches behind in second with Edinburgh’s Kieran Reilly (10) half a metre back in third.
The formation of the Tweed, Leader, Jed Track club a few years ago has given athletics in the region a much-needed boost. And it was another from the well-represented school who found the legs to win the 200 metres. Fraser Welsh (22) caught Edinburgh veteran Graeme Armstrong (30) half way up the home straight to hold on for victory. The fast-finishing Allan Smith (18) from Selkirk couldn’t quite overhaul the front two and settled for third. The 17-year-old winner said: “It was just great to be out there racing, and to win is unbelievable.”
The special sprint, Matthew’s Race, also went to Galashiels with 36-year-old Gavin Maule blasting down the straight to claim first from Innerleithen’s Ann Peacock and Jedburgh’s Craig Sharratt. Gavin said: “I have started going to the gym and I feel a lot better for it. I love coming to Earlston to run – I’ve not been beaten here.”
Someone else who is feeling much better these days is Hawick’s Rory Anderson. The 19-year-old DIY worker was floored with glandular fever for most of last year. But, running from 65 metres, he was too powerful for the 20-strong field in the A&G Decorators 800 metres on Saturday. Anderson, who is coached by Kenny Short and Billy Fraser, told us: “I just couldn’t get going last year after being ill. I felt really good out there today and have put the illness behind me.” Backmarker Graham Gibson (32.5) from Dunfermline & West Fife AC finished strongly to cross the line behind Anderson with long-time leader Gordon Eland (172.5) of Broughton holding on for third.
Hawick also claimed the Alan White Roofing 1600 metres with Derek Scott (175) just holding on from back-marker Adam Craig (85) from the TLJT club and fellow Teri Gary Law (400). But the 24-year-old butcher almost lost the race on the line. He explained: “I put my hands up too early and the young boy Craig almost got past me. That will teach me now to celebrate too quickly – I’m still pleased, though.”
TLJT coach Bruce Scott (6) was quietly fancied to do well in the main sprint – but he put the disappointment of not reaching the final behind him to land the Veterans’ 90 metres. The 52-year-old won by a metre from Durham’s Neil Armstrong (3.5) and Geoff Keen (1) of Selkirk. Scott said: “If I had been offered the vets at the start of the day I’d have taken it – it’s just great to get a win.”
Craig Grieve (1) of the TLJT club landed the Invitation 60 metres from Dolphinton’s Ryan Charters (2.5) and Davie Rae (1.5) from Hawick.
With a new age-group system introduced for young sprinters this season there will be even more winners. And Kelso’s Josh Abbot (10) took full advantage of the split by winning the Junior (9-12) 90 metres. The 9-year-old, who is coached by Keith Lyall, just held off the late challenge from Selkirk’s Henry Clarkson (3) and Eve Huxley (6.5) of Innerleithen. Josh said: “I didn’t think I had won as the bigger ones caught me at the end.”
Innerleithen’s Ryan Laidlaw (17.5) didn’t have to worry about a photo finish when he won the Youths (13-16) 90 metres. The 14-year-old, from the Charlie Russell camp, won by a clear two metres from TLJT duo John Feeney (22) and Callum Hunter (9). Ryan told us: “I was a wee bit confident going into the final but I still wasn’t sure I’d win as I was coming up the track.”
Laidlaw (30) couldn’t quite complete a sprint double as he was just edged out by Kelso’s Euan Pettigrew (18) in the final of the Youths 200 metres. Pitreavie’s Lewis Hunter (10) finished third in the final.
Earlston’s Grant Goodfellow (18) just held on to win the Junior 200 metres from his TLJT clubmates Henry Clarkson (6) and Matt Dougal (13).
The Active Borders Youths 800 metres was won by Fraser Wardhaugh (65) of Gala Harriers. The 14-year-old from Melrose caught long-time leader Zaynah Aziz (150) of Selkirk on the home straight with Kyle Potts (80) of TLJT back in third. Fraser said: “I really cranked it up on the last lap and I had to go at the end to catch the girl – I’m really pleased to have won.”
Durham’s Joe Armstrong (160) timed his run just right to catch Josh Abbot (320) of Kelso and land the JogEarlston 1600 metres. The 13-year-old told us: “The boy at the front gave me a really good race when I caught up with him. It was hard, but I’m pleased to get the win.” Ruaridh Britton (210) from the Moorfoots club ran on strongly to claim third.
EARLSTON RESULTS 4th JUNE 2011
