Duns Rugby Club

The fundraising Duck Race - originally scheduled for June 24th - was finally held today, as the water level on the Langton Burn eventually dropped far enough for it to be safe for ducks and organisers alike.

Animal welfare groups would have had a field day had they known that for the last few weeks the ducks have been kept in terrible conditions in a hessian sack in Scott Lindsay's garage, without either food or water. Little wonder that the little creatures were so keen for a swim earlier today.

The organisers had done such an excellent job selling tickets for the Duck Race that it became a series of races, with the ducks each having to force their way down the narrow confines of the burn on a number of occasions, before a final race to decide the top three places, and the destination of the prize money.

With the water at the Langton ford running so high a few weeks ago that even cars could not cross, it would have been suicide for the ducks to try to negotiate the 50 metre course, and even more dangerous for the helpers in their waders standing downstream trying to catch the escapees in keepnets. The sensible decision was made to to postpone last month, hence the ducks' eagerness to impress today.

Time and time again they bobbed their way downstream, striving to get to the finishing line first, only to be gathered, bagged and taken back to the start line to do it all over again.

After the final race, the places, and prize money, were as follows :-

First - James Thorburn £100

Second - Derek Simpson £50

Third - Keith Cockburn £20

Last Duck - Morag Poole £10

Well done, and a big thank you, to all concerned. A four figure sum has been raised for club funds - a really fantastic achievement.