THERE was a strong turnout of six teams at the West Region speechmaking competition, held at Coulter Hall, Biggar, last weekend, where Crossroads YFC went on to scoop the top title.

With Heather MacDonald as chairman, Jane Strawhorn as arbiter, Andrew Taylor as opposer and proposer Robert Campbell, the Crossroads team edged the lead over Avondale YFC’s Emily Bryson, Annie Bryson, Zoe Bryson and Laura Ritchie.

In third were Katie Brown, Joe Cameron, Hazel Watt and Alexandra Perrie from East Kilbride YFC.

Prizes for the best individuals outwith the winning team saw Emily Bryson as best chairman, Joe Cameron as best proposer, Kilmaurs YFC’s Zoë Wilson as best opposer, and Machars YFC’s Simon McCornick as best arbiter, but the best overall individual was Robert Campbell.

The top three teams, and fourth place Kilmaurs YFC, will represent the region at the National final later this month.