Scottish Highland Games Association

BARRIE BAGS GLAMIS TREBLE writes Shane Fenton

Strathmore Highland Games held within the grounds of Glamis Castle attracted a good crowd on Sunday[June 14th]. There was a big improvement in the weather from the bitterly cold conditions at Cupar 24 hours prior as early cloud gave way to spells of warm sunshine.

The track running and cycling produced some exciting racing with an appreciative audience clapping the competitors around the track.

The Open 90 metres handicap was run-off in three heats and resulted in two former New Year Sprint winners Cumbie Bowers and Graeme Lister lining up in the 6 runner final. The pair however had to settle for 2nd and 5th in the final behind winner Billy Martin, Glenrothes who won in 9.57 seconds. Willie Bates, Tullibody finished 3rd with Rory Muir, Dundee Hawkhill and Thomas Hellier, Perth AC in 6th.

There was a thrilling finish to the 200 metres handicap with Rory Muir snatching victory on the line from Carl Fuhrmann, Banchory Stonehaven AC in 19.90 seconds, Wallace McGown stayed on to take 3rd place.

For the second day running there was a good field for the 400 metres handicap, Lewis Hunter, Pitreavie AC turned in a strong performance to land the spoils in 50.76 seconds from Willie Bates and Rory Muir.

Dundee Hawkhill runner Gordon Barrie had a highland games debut to remember by landing a treble in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m. The 800 was a ding donger of a race with Barrie holding on from his fast finishing club mate Rory Muir in 1m 56.28s.

In the 1600 metres, Craig Robertson Pitreavie AC appeared to have the measure of Barrie but it was not to be as the Dundee runner dug deep to claim victory, Derek Scott, Hawick who made the long journey up from the Borders took 3rd place.

Only 15 metres separated the trio of Craig Robertson[110], Gordon Barrie[120] and Rory Muir[125] at the start of the 3200m race and it was almost the same distance between them 10 laps later, Robertson again forged on ahead of his rivals but was again overhauled by Barrie who went on to notch up his 3rd win of the afternoon, Rory Muir who has made a great start to the season over all distances finished close up in 3rd.

The Youth's 90 metres was won by Lucas Allan, Tomatin in 10.46s from Sean Bates, Tullibody and Scott Douglas, Forfar. Sean Bates again finished ahead of Scott Douglas to win the Youth's 1600 metres with Steven Bates in 3rd.

There was a good field of 10 riders for the 5 cycle races and they produced some thrilling finishes, Lewis Oliphant made a winning seasonal debut with victory in the 800 metres handicap, Tim Allan, Tomatin then went on to record a treble with wins in the 1600 metres, 3200 metres and 4800 metres handicaps, all three races being closely contested, as was the concluding 8000 metres with Dougie Shaw, Edinburgh denying Tim Allan a fourth win by half a bike length.

Tim Allan - Inverness