Berwick were due to meet Border side Hawick YM in the First Round of the Scottish Hydro Shield. Due to the opposition being unable to raise a team the game was conceded on Thursday evening. As Cheviot Trees Limited were sponsoring the game and with a large number of guests expected for a pre-match lunch the race was on to find new opposition. Despite the Club's best efforts to try and rearrange one of the other outstanding fixtures it was only possible to arrange a Friendly against local rivals Kelso. To add to the unusual nature of the match the game was also played on the much smaller and narrower Colts pitch.

The Blacks team included some of the younger players in the squad with Dan Law making his debut at open side flanker for the game. All of this meant that there was freshness to the occasion. The game kicked off like a true Border derby with both sides fully committed to the tackle and ruck situation. With experienced Border referee Normal Steel in charge things didn't get out of hand though and there was some excellent attacking play from both sides.

Defeat at the hands of second-placed East Stirling left Berwick Rangers manager Jim Crease ruing refereeing decisions he felt had cost them dearly.

The home side's opening goal came from a free-kick Rangers believed should have been given the other way, and then they were denied a penalty claim when their trialist striker was brought down in the box.

Crease said: "It was a stonewall decision. We lost and maybe the title is beginning to slip away from us, but we played well against a good side."

Berwick United booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Ideal Stelrad Northumberland Minor Cup.

In an all-Northern Alliance clash the Borderers, third from bottom in the First Division, knocked out third-top league colleagues Amble United, who had lifted this trophy in 2007.

In an earlier league meeting between these two sides, Amble United had romped to an easy 4-0 victory - but this time they were well below par and Berwick fully deserved their 4-2 success.

Young badminton players proved top of the form when they took to the court for a tournament at Ashington Leisure Centre.

Teams from Berwick, Allendale, Alnwick and Prudhoe took part in the Key Stage Three and Four Northumberland Schools Badminton County Final organised by Badminton England and the School Sports Partnership..

Northumberland Schools Badminton County Final Key Stage Four winners (back) and the stage three victors (front) receive their trophies at Ashington Leisure Centre

For the first time, all six School Sports Partnerships in Northumberland - Ashington, Blyth and Bedlington, Cramlington and Seaton Valley, Morpeth and Ponteland, North Northumberland and Tynedale - were involved in the competition.

Berwick Rangers boss Jimmy Crease may make a late entry into the transfer market before the window closes.

But he was adamant that despite his side's grim performance against bottom club Montrose, who had failed to register a single league win in their previous 19 outings, there will be no panic buying.

Crease revealed he has been told by chairman Brian Porteous that there is cash available to bring in one or two players before the deadline but stressed it would have to be the right players and at the right price.

Berwick United beat Alnwick Town Reserves in the third round of the Northumberland FA Minor Cup this weekend.

The score was 3-0, with Berwick's strikes from Leigh Walker (2) and Mike Robinson. Pictured- Berwick United's goalkeeper takes charge of proceedings- photo by Steve Miller.

Meanwhile, in the North Northumberland League, a top-against-bottom clash in Division One saw no surprises as leaders Lowick United ran out comfortable winners against Berwick United Reserves.

Two goals apiece from Colin Young and Karl Chapman and single strikes by Andy Burgon, Anthony Murray and Jamie Punton made up the Lowick total.

Elgin City 1, Berwick Rangers 5

Berwick Rangers closed the gap on joint leaders Livingston and East Stirling to two points as manager Jimmy Crease celebrated his side's Highland fling with a nap hand at Elgin.

Crease revealed the inclusion of Steve Radzynski who scored his first two goals for the club, had been "a last-minute decision".

The top two teams in Division One of the North Northumberland League went head-to-head and had to settle for a point apiece after a hard-fought encounter.

It was Lowick who took advantage of slack play as Andy Burgon and Carl Avery gave them a half-time lead, a second goal from Burgon stretching the advantage. Rothbury hit back with two John Angus goals and a Stephen Rennison effort.

Berwick Rangers missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Livingston to one point as East Stirlingshire became the first side to inflict home and away defeats and move above the Borderers into second.

Manager Jimmy Crease was in no doubt as to where the problems lie. "We have to learn to be more ruthless when we are on top," he said after watching Rangers' six-match unbeaten run since they last lost to Shire come to an end at Shielfield Park.

Jimmy Crease has confirmed his settled side is facing changes - but not until after Berwick's top of the table home clash with East Stirling on Saturday.

Skipper Stuart Callaghan and Elliot Smith were both booked during the victory over lowly Elgin and now face suspension. Crease admitted: "There is no doubt we have looked a pretty settled team in recent weeks but these bookings mean that both players will be ruled out starting in a fortnight."

Alan Brazil missed an early opening to head Rangers in front and they were desperately unlucky not to go in at the break with a lead after Damon Gray beat the keeper only to see the ball bounce back off an upright.