Scottish Highland Games Association

GIBSON TREBLE THE HIGHLIGHT AT A DAMP DUFFUS PARK

SHANE FENTON reports from the Howe of Fife

Despite a slight drizzle persisting for most of the afternoon it didn't dampen the spirits of the competitors who entertained the crowd at the Cupar Highland Games in the Duffus Park.

The fields in the athletic events may not have been the biggest but the races were still very much competitve. Cowdenbeath's Graham Gibson was the man in form as he landed a treble with wins in the 200m,400m and 800m handicaps. He was made to work hard for victory in all three races. The 200 metres was a blanket finish between all four finalists, the race looked to be between front markers Lauren Thomson,Fife AC and Keith Redpath,Wishaw however, as the finish line approached they were rapidly closed down by Cameron Smith,Tullibody and Graeme Gibson, after a lengthy deliberation by the judges it was Gibson who was given the nod ahead of Thomson and Smith with Redpath bemoaning ''i'm beat by inches and i'm only fourth!''

Again in the 400 metres Gibson had to pull out all the stops to repel the challenge all the way down the straight of Craig Robertson,Logierait with Willie Bates,Tullibody in third.
Sam Bates looked to have led them all a merry dance in the 800 metres handicap but once again Graeme Gibson found that extra gear off the home bend to go on and overhaul the Tullibody veteran on the approach to the line, Willie Bates again finished in third place.

The Open 100 metres handicap resulted in the same first and second placings as Markinch the previous week, with Cammy Smith - despite being pulled a metre - snaring Lauren Thomson on the line, the photo equipment was utilised and it showed Smith had prevailed by the narrowist of margins, surely success is just around the corner for Lauren.

90m Open Final Video

The Open 1600 metres saw Craig Robertson race to victory from the backmark, for much of the race it looked as if Willie Rennie would take all the catching as he strode out majestically at the head of affairs, Robertson however who won three races at Helensburgh the previous week timed his run to perfection and went past the Lib Dem leader as they rounded the final bend, Rennie stayed on for second with Keith Redpath in third place.

Brodie Cowan was taking part at Cupar Games for the first time but she made her long journey up from Jedburgh in the Borders a worthwhile one by winning both the Youth races on the card. In the final of the 90 metres she just got the better of Sean Bates,Tullibody and Rianne Cooper,Pitreavie AC to break the tape in 9.61 seconds. It was a similar 1-2-3 in the 800 metres with Brodie stopping the watch at 1:58.63.

Youths 90m Final Video

Six bikers contested the four cycle races on the card, The opening 800 metres saw Ian Hepburn,Cairneyhill hold off all challengers, the following 1600 metres, 3200 metres and Deil produced the same first three on each occasion with Charles Fletcher, Grantown on Spey winning from Paul Gallacher,Kirkcaldy and James Melville Dumbarton.

Despite the damp conditions there was still some good throwing in the heavy events, Lukasz Wenta broke both the 16lb and 22lb shot putt ground records with throws of 55' 10'' and 46' 2'' respectively. Craig Sinclair won the 16lb hammer with a throw of 130' 6''. The 22lb hammer and 28lb weight for distance saw victory go to Sebastien Wenta who had joined the competition after having competed at the Kirkcaldy Waterfront Games in the morning. Sebastien also shared first place in the caber with his brother Lukasz with the latter winning the 56lb for height with athrow of 15'.

Caber toss winner at https://youtu.be/PEUzKHQyrMg