Scottish Highland Games Association

BLACKFORD GETS NEW SEASON OFF TO A GLORIOUS START writes SHANE FENTON

Blackford Highland Games enjoyed one of their biggest crowds in recent years after a cold and windy morning gave way to warm afternoon sunshine.

Competition in the track & field was also hot with some exciting competion in the running , cycling, tug o war and heavy events.

The Open 90 metres handicap which carried a 1st prize of £100 was run off in three heats and produced an all-male final. In a closely contested race the verdict went to the promising Greg Kelly East Kilbride AC who was winning his first ever race in the senior ranks on the Games circuit, his winning time of 9.75 seconds saw him edge out the winner of 12 months ago Liam Halliday, Central AC with Martin Barr, East Kilbride AC in 3rd, the minor placings were filled by Josh Maitland East Kilbride AC, Willie Bates, Tullibody and Cameron Smith ,Central AC.

The camera was required to determine the winner of the Open 200 metres Handicap and it showed Martin Barr had just held on by the width of a vest to thwart the strong finishing Tony Daffurn, Coarbridge, Cameron Smith took third spot ahead of Laura McCracken, VP Glasgow.

Despite running from a reduced handicap Greg Kelly made it a double on the day with victory in the Open 400 metres Handicap, snatching the spoils on the tape from Ewan Bradley, Inverness with Willie Bates in third.

Bradley and Bates again had to settle for the minor berths in the Open 800 metres which was won by Corey Smith, Pitreavie AC in 1:53.28. The Fifer made a strong bid to land a double in the Open 1600 metres but had to be content with 2nd place behind backmarker Craig Robertson, Pitreavie AC. Willie Bates outran Sarah Ross Pitreavie AC in the closing stages to take 3rd place.

The Youth's 90 metres and 200 metres handicaps were won by Kieran Halliday, Central AC who had won both races he previous year. He comfortably broke the tape in the 90m in 10.19s from Sean Bates, Tullibody and Donald McLean, Giffnock AC. The 200 metres however was a cracker of a race and again the photo finish was needed with Halliday holding off the power-packed finish of Callum Field, East Kilbride AC in 23.07 seconds with Scott Douglas, Forfar in 3rd,

Earlier in the afternoon Field came through from the backmark to win the Youth's 800 metres in 2:06.34 from Sean Bates and Scott Douglas.

In the cycling events there could be literally a new champion, and his name is Lewis Champion from Braco, riding with the seniors for the first time he won three of the four races on the card all from the backmark. Steve Jackson from Glasgow won the opening 800 metres championship before Champion claimed the 1600m and 3200 m handicaps as well as the Deil.

Chris Horden, Linlithgow was equally dominant in the Youth's cycling events winning all three races the 800 metres, 1600 metres and Deil.

There was an excellent heavy events competition with a field of 8 competitors, Craig Sinclair won both the 16lb and 22lb hammer competitions, Lukasz Wenta took both light and heavy shot putts, the 56lb for height and shared the Caber with Scott Rider who triumphed in the 28lb for distance. The overall champion on the day was Lukasz Wenta[37.5pts], from Scott Rider[34.5pts] with Craig Sinclair 3rd[25.5pts.].

5 teams contested the Scottish Tug o War Championship which was still going on when I left , result to follow.

(Stop Press 1st Elgin, 2nd Moffat, 3rd Mount Blair)

Alex and Ethel Webster receiving gift from Windy Wilson for many years service to
Blackford Highlans Games