A goal total of 67 put Kelso at the top of the Borders women’s seven-a-side hockey league this year in an event where enjoyment scored as highly as winning.

More than 70 women and girls supplied five teams in the off-season Community Sevens league on Hawick’s synthetic pitch.

Now in its second year, the Community Sevens is intended to encourage women over 16 to play recreational hockey, with a possible view to joining a club side.

But, as John McBay, SBC Sports Development Officer, pointed out, the event was as much about having fun as being competitive. “The league is played in such good spirit. It’s not just about winning; it’s about enjoyment, about getting fit,” he said.

“I was also really pleased to see the wide range of ages that played, from 16 year olds to those over 50. Some were regular hockey players and some were picking up a stick for the first time since leaving school. [more]

“Being a pre-season league, the Community Sevens can also be useful training for the season.

“There’s obviously a clear demand for community and club hockey to be developed further in the Borders. I am grateful to the South Hockey Development Group and all of the teams for supporting the Community Sevens.”

The Community Sevens league will be staged again in 2007. To find out more, please contact SBC Sports Development on 01896 756274.

2006 Scottish Borders Community Hockey League Final League Table

Played Points Goals 1 Kelso 8 18 67 2 Cola Cubes 8 18 41 3 Hawick 8 10 37 4 Jed Snails 8* 7 17 5 Random Sheilas 8* 6 37

 * One game not played, points awarded to Jed Snails