Scottish Highland Games Association

THRILLS AND SPILLS AT CERES BY SHANE FENTON

Once again the tight confines of the 200 metres circuit on the Bow Butts gave the big crowd that turned up at the Fife village plenty to enthuse and get exited about.

If you were a cyclist however there wasn't much to laugh about, the early morning rain had turned the track into a skid pan, and both heats of the 800 metres saw two riders come off their bikes, after consoltation regrds safety they decided they wanted to race on.

And yes, guess what happened, in the final 2 riders came off, Tim Allan was first to go after a lap, then with a 100 metres left Brendan Roe got in a tangle with Craig Hardie and was sent flying with Hardie going on to win the race.

It was a good day for Hardie who was making his seasonal games debut as he also won the 3000 metres and 5000 metres races, Roe gained some consolation for his earlier spill by taking the 1600 metres.

On the track there was a good entry for the 90 metres handicap with six heats as well as cross ties having to be run, the final was a close run affair with Cameron Smith from Tullibody who had won earlier in the season at Blackford and Markinch getting up on the line to deny Darren Scott, Jedburgh and recent Selkirk sprint winner John Armstrong.

Jordan Maaxwell made the long trip up from Langholm worthwhile by taking the 200 metres. The 800 metres and 1600 metres were also won by Borders athletes, Dean Whiteford was a ready winner of the 800 while in the 1600 there was an exiting finish with Wayne McIntosh holding of the late thrust of backmarker Craig Robertson,Pitreavie AC.

John Thomson Coaltown of Balgonie kept the 3000 metres title in Fife, this was Thomson's 10th win on the Bow Butts and his fourth in this race, this weekend he heads to Birmingham to compete in the British Masters Championships.

There is no stopping Craig Bell, Forfar and Douglas Paul DWF at the moment, both are winning at every games they attend and Ceres was no different, with Bell triunphing in the Youth's 90 metres and Paul doing the double of Youth's 200 and 800 metres.

Only three heavies turned up to contest the strongman events with Gregor Edmunds winning overall with five wins, runner up was Neil Elliot with Derek Norrie in third.

SHANE'S GAMES HIGHLIGHT

THE BRAVERY OF THE BIKERS WHO DECIDED TO CARRY ON AFTER NEARLY ALL OF THEM HAD HIT THE DECK DUE TO THE SLIPPERY COMDITIONS IN THE OPENING EVENT.

Published: 2009-07-01 08:28:03