The finals of the Brigade’s National Competitions take place between March and May each year, and we are pleased to share with you the results of the finals which have taken place so far this session.

National Chess Final

Members from 7^th Edinburgh, 1^st Bearsden, 1^st Ardshaw and 1^st Cheslyn Hay Companies showed skill, commitment and concentration in order to make it through the regional heats and compete in the finals. But the 1^st Bearsden Company made all the right moves as they took home first prize at the National Chess Final held in Coatbridge on Saturday 25^th March. John McEwan, Alistair Ramsey and Fergus Hempel from 1^st Bearsden beat off the competition to be crowned overall winners following a tie-break with 1^st Cheslyn Hay.

On winning, John McEwan, 17, said “It was an incredibly competitive tournament. For a sport that is often considered ‘boring’, it was great to see the spectators fully engaged and I highly doubt they would have described the chess games in this way. Despite the inevitable high stakes, the tournament was conducted in a friendly manner and was thoroughly enjoyable. My only regret is not competing in previous years.”

National Masterteam Final

Six BB teams made up of members from 1^st Bearsden, 1^st Polmont, 1^st Guildford, 1^st Cheslyn Hay, 1^st Ardstraw and 4^th Newtownabbey went through to the final, held in Belfast in April. It was John McEwan, Greg Wood, Ross Brown and Fergus Hempel from 1st Bearsden who scooped this year’s championship in a quiz tournament which included rounds on general and biblical knowledge, famous landmarks, history and famous faces. The win by 1^st Bearsden has provided double success for the company this year as its team clinched the national chess title last month. Two of the Masterteam team members – John McEwan and Fergus Hempel – were also part of the winning chess team.

National Table Tennis Final

Liverpool Battalion hosted a thrilling day at the Ian Robinson Sports Centre in Liverpool as six teams from across the UK took part in the National Table Tennis finals. The 4^th North West Durham Company were crowned winners, with 1^st Grangemouth clinching the runners-up spot. It was a case of third time lucky as the team from Lanchester in Durham finished third in the last two outings. This year they worked well as a team, showcasing their skills, training and personal commitment, resulting in a win for Sam Humes, Matthew Grimes and brother Sam Grimes. Also competing in the finals were teams from 1^st Monifieth, 1^st Newport (Isle of Wight), 1^st Ballyclare and 2^nd Coleraine.

Comedian and entertainer Sir Ken Dodd, former member of the 66^th Liverpool Boys’ Brigade, Knotty Ash was at the event to present the awards and offer the young people some encouragement saying “We all have gifts and it’s important that we use them. Sport is great training for the mind and it’s very important. Seeing the young people today brings back many happy memories I have from my time in The Boys’ Brigade.”

The remaining competitions including Badminton and Five-aside Football will be reported on in the next issue.