At Kelso Games on Sunday, however, this all changed. The fuse was lit and Teri runners set the Poynder Park track alight by blazing their way to five victories.

First to get into the winning frame was Alex Corbett, who gave an excellent account of himself to take the 800 metres handicap. And what a deserved triumph it was.

Since the season began, Corbett has been knocking at the door in pulling off a win, coming close to breaking the tape on several occasions. So it was good to see him achieve the goal he has been working so hard for.

In what turned out to be a keenly contested race, Corbett (95m) headed the field as the bell sounded for the last lap. The pack was starting to close the gap from the back though and Corbett had a battle on his hands.

But he was up for the battle, and showing the grit and determination he produces in his every outing, he held off the strong challenges in the home run to take the honours in one minute 59.27 seconds.

Fellow Hawick athletes Reece Taylor (37.5m) and Stewart Fraser (32.5m) came in second and third.



Following his fine winning show, a delighted but tired and somewhat bemused Corbett told the Hawick News: "That was the worst tactical race I have ever run. I started far too quickly and began to feel shattered halfway through the race.

"The last lap was just a blur as I felt really tired and thought my legs were going to fold.

"And the last 200m were pure hell. Somehow I managed to finish, but only just."

He added: "I got it all wrong but managed to win so maybe there's a message there."

Making his debut on the open athletic front, 12-year-old Ryan Elliot upset the apple cart when he came out on top in the youths 100m handicap (10-13 years).

From the Billy Edgar stable, Elliot (14m), whose father Malcolm is one of the few Hawick men to have won the world famous New Year Sprint, looked the part in winning his heat in 11.46 seconds.

Lining up in a final that included two other Hawick youngsters, Tara Mactaggart (15m) and Corey Wilson (15m), he hit full throttle again to take the honours from Jordan Charters of West Linton (12m) and Wilson.
A remarkable time of 10.98 seconds was given out although this was questionable.

Elliot said: "That's the first time I have ever run, and it's also the first time I've ever been at any games. I wasn't quite sure what was happening. All I wanted to do was run my best but I never thought I would win anything and I got quite a shock when I did."

Fourteen-year-old James Parker (4m) made it an excellent double for the Edgar school by triumphing in the youths 100m handicap (14-16 years).

A budding prospect in both rugby and football, as well as being a young runner of great potential, Parker stormed to a heat win in 11.44 seconds.

Strong-running Parker's trip to glory was just beginning though, for in the final he did it all again with another powerhouse run from start to finish to win in 11.40 seconds.

He said: "I've only been able to train two or three times this month as I've been injured and had tonsillitis.

"This has meant I've missed a few games meetings and I didn't expect to run well today.

"I felt good in my heat though and because of this I thought I had a good chance in the final and I just went for it."
Kyle Potts, who runs for the recently formed TLJT club, was beaten by Hawick youngster Corey Wilson (44m) in his heat in the youths one lap handicap.
Potts, however, qualified for the final by coming in second. And the 13-year-old (55m) showed improved form in his next run in the final by coming back with a vengeance to win impressively in 33.35 seconds.

The David Rae camp produced the winner of the youths one lap handicap (14-16 years) in 15-year-old Euan Imray (24m).

Imray surged to victory in his heat in 34.48 seconds, before doing the business once more in the final, clocking up 34.42 seconds.

He said: "I won the same race a year ago so one lap handicaps must suit me and Kelso must be a lucky track."

In the senior one lap handicap, Billy Fraser (50m) showed up well, winning his heat in 32.52 seconds. But he had to be content with third place in the final, coming in behind Selkirk Games winner Keith Redpath of Wishaw (55m) and James Purves, Selkirk (54m). Redpath came home in 31.39 seconds.

David Grieve (12m) and Ross Weir (17.5m) both breezed to wins in their opening runs in the 100m handicap.

The Teri pair then lost out in their cross ties, But Weir nevertheless found himself in the final as a fastest loser.

Victory in the last showdown, however, went to Jedburgh teenager Craig Grieve (7.5m) who lived up to the promise he has been showing in recent outings by gaining the first spot in 10.75 seconds. Weir finished in third place.