Scottish Highland Games Association

Fun in the sun at sizzling Inveraray

BIG CROWD TREATED TO FUN IN THE SUN AT SIZZLING INVERARAY

SHANE FENTON reports from INVERARAY CASTLE

With it being the warmest day of the year so far it was no surprise to see a crowd in the region of 7000 packed into the Winterton Park which is situated within the palatial grounds of Inveraray Castle and only a stone throw from the shores of Loch Fyne.

And something unusual for a highland games was the sight of so many spectators with umbrella's up actually shading themselves from the strong rays of the sun rather than having to utilize them for their more conventional use!

Despite the heat the competitors put on a great show, there was a healthy field of competitors for the running, cycling and jumping events as well as 14 throwers in the heavy events which featured the World Caber Tossing Championship.[Results for the latter will be posted later].

Outside the main arena there was a huge entry for both the highland dancing and solo piping competitions. 100's of runners emerged from the crowds to take part in the fun and overseas visitors races. Midway through proceedings the Inveraray Pipe Band who recently won the European Championship in Forres entertained the appreciative crowd with a set of all the traditional Scottish tunes.

The 90 metres handicap was won by Tommy Finkle[10m] who was up at Inveraray from Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders, his time of 9.82s was good enough to hold off John Hilditch[10m] from Melbourne in Australia and Graeme Armstrong, Edinburgh[13m].

SHGA sprint league points leader Keiran Halliday, Central AC[7m] consolidated his position at the top with victory in the 200 metres handicap as he outsprinted Glasgow duo Chris Mankodila[12m] and Jamie Sinclair[6m] in 23.57s].

There was a close finish to the 400 metres with Stewart Fraser, Hawick [35m] snatching victory on the line from frontmarker G Corner, Oban[100m] with Rory Anderson[30m] also Hawick close up in 3rd place. The winners time was 49.92 seconds.

It was a good day for another Hawick runner with veteran Kenny Short landing an 800m and 1600m double, in the shorter race, running from the 130 metres mark Short broke the tape in 1m 57.73s to hold off the late challenges of Craig Tomison, Oban[50m] and Mike Deason, Shettleston[20m]. The 1600m saw him lead from start to finish from a start of 340m Connor Law, Glasgow[240m] and Stewart Fraser,Hawick170m filled the minor berths.

There was fine runs from backmarkers Mike Deason[50m] and Matthew Turner[20m] as they worked their way through the field to finish first and second in the 3200 metres with victory going to Deason who originally hails from New Mexico in 9m 42.65s. Paul Harper, Glasgow produced a promosing run to finish in third place.

The inaugural running of the Women's 1600 metres was won by Freya Corner, Oban in 6m 11.86s.

For the first time in a number of years the cyclists had a firm surface to race on at Winterton Park, Ian Hepburn, Cairneyhill took the opening 800 metres with fellow Fifer Craig Hardie, Dalgety Bay completing a hat trick of 1600m, 3200m and Deil tak the Hindmost.

There was a new ground record in the High Jump with Angus Sinclair clearing 6'3''.

HIGH JUMP

1 Angus Sinclair [6' 3'']

2 Connor McDonald

3 Andrew Raeburn

4 Calum Innes

LONG JUMP

1 Connor McDonald [19'00'']

2 Angus Sinclair

3 = Calum Innes & Andrew Raeburn

TRIPLE JUMP

1 Andrew Raeburn [43. 7'']