Scottish Highland Games Association

CRIEFF RESULTS REPORT AND VIDEOS

RIDER TAKES SCOTTISH TITLE IN CRIEFF CLIFFHANGER

SHANE FENTON reports from Market Park

One of the most closely contested Scottish Heavy Event Championships in years saw the title go to England's Scott Rider.The competition went right down to the last event which was tossing the caber.Further details and full heavy event results to follow.

On the running track the top prize of the day, the £250 for winning the Open 90 metres handicap was claimed by Liam Halliday from Denny. the Central AC sprinter who has been in tremendous form all season won both his heat and cross-tie before sprinting to victory in the final in 9.95 seconds, veteran frontmarker John Steede TLJT held on for 2nd place with Ross Freck, Inverness Harriers in 3rd.

Freck gained consolation in the Open 200 metres handicap as he burst clear of the pack to win in 20.95 seconds with the previous weeks Perth winner Mhairi Henderson TLJT staying on at the finish to take the runners up prize ahead of another Perth winner Kevin Amos, Jed AC.

The Open 400 metres was one of the best races of the day, in a three way go a photo finish was required to determine the winner, after a lenghty consultation the nod was given to Andrew Thomson, Jedburgh AC whose last stride dip on the line proved crucial as he edged out fellow Borderers Kyle Potts TLJT and Fraser Neil, Kelso in 50.74 seconds.

Craig Robertson, Pitreavie AC who only returned to action following a lengthy injury the previous day at Stirling showed no ill effects as he strode to victory in the Open 800 metres handicap, Robertson got the better of fellow backmarker Colin Welsh, Kelso in the closing stages before going on to stop the clock at 1m 58.89 seconds. Andrew Thomson finished in 3rd place,

Glenrothes athlete John Thomson won the 1600 metres at Crieff 25 years ago, the Fife veteran attempted to repeat that feat by wearing the same blue and white vest as he wore 2 and a half decades ago, it was not to be as he had to settle for 2nd place after being out-fought by Willie Bates, Tullibody over the last lap, Ruaridh Britton, Leithenburn finished a close up 3rd.

Thomson again had to settle for the runners up spot in the 3200 metres handicap which was won in fine style by backmarker Aiden Thomson, Pitreavie AC, the latter took up the running at the bell before stretching away to win in 10m 01.09 seconds, Colin Welsh ran on to pick up the 3rd place prize.

Games debutant Callum Henderson, Edinburgh AC impressed in winning the Youths 90 metres handicap getting up in the last strides to overhaul frontmarkers Angus Bryce TLJT and Carus Brus, Gala in 10.06 seconds.

The Youths 200 metres was won in good style by Cameron Clamp TLJT who powered through from the 22 metres mark to edge out Billy Doyle, Pitreavie AC in 22.39 seconds with backmark Joseph Clark, Crieff in 3rd.

Inverness Harriers got their second win of the day when Duncan McDonald raced to victory in the Youths 1600 metres handicap in 5m 23.80s, Jack Amos Jedburgh AC came through late to bag 2nd place with long time leader Ellie Cooper also Jed AC in 3rd.

Crieff staged the Scottish Light Field Championship for the first time. Pitreavie AC's Oliver Lawson took the title with wins in the High Jump and Long Jump and runner up in the Triple Jump. The latter was won by Keiran Halliday, Central AC who was runner up in the High and the Long which placed him 2nd overall, with three 3rd places giving Colin Welsh 3rd overall.

In the cycling there were doubles for Steve Jackson, Glasgow and Craig Hardie, Dalgety Bay, Jackson took the 800m and 1600m with Hardie the victor in the 3200m and Deil. Games Chieftain Mark Beaumont took part in a one off Chieftain's cycle race over 6 laps, the adventurer and BBC presenter didn't look out of place in finishing 4th.