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Huge crowd witness fine afternoon of entertainment at Ceres.
HUGE CROWD WITNESS FINE AFTERNOON OF ENTERTAINMENT AT CERES
Shane Fenton reports from the Bow Butts.
On a warm and sunny afternoon Ceres Highland Games attracted a huge crowd to the Bow Butts.
There was good entries for all the competitions, running, cycling, highland dancing, wrestling, solo piping, tug o war and heavy events. The City of St Andrews Pipe Band entertained the crowds during the afternoon.
Prior to the main programme the Children's fun races attracted good numbers as did the overseas visitors races which were won by a gentleman from Omagh in Ireland and a lady from Sweden.
The top prize of the day is the £200 which goes to the winner of the 90 metres sprint handicap and it was won by Borderer Ryan Elliot from Hawick who edged out Central AC duo Keiran Halliday and Callum Letham.Elliot's only previous win on the Games circuit was also in Norh East Fife when he won the 90 metres at last years St Andrews Highland Games.
There was further Borders success in the Youth 90 metres handicap with Aaron Glendinning, Leithenburn pipping Jason White, TLJT on the line with Robbie Morrison,Kirkcaldy in third place.
There was Fife success in the 200 metres handicap with Graeme Gibson,DWF producing a powerful run to come home ahead of John Armstrong, Leith and former New Year Sprint winner Davie Lauder,Hawick. Steven Bates, Tullibody has made a good start to the season and that continued with victory in the Youth 200 metres where he proved just too strong down the home straight and snapped the tape ahead of Thomas McCaskill, Hawick and Robbie Morrison,Kirkcaldy.
There was a father and son finish to the 800 metres handicap and it was the son who prevailed with last years SHGA Athlete of the Year Ewen Bradley,Inverness taking the win ahead of his dad Donald. Eric Anderson, Anstruther stayed on for third place.
The 1600 metres saw Andrew Gibson Bo'ness run out a clear cut winner from Angela Bell,Forfar and Graeme Gibson DWF. Angela again filled the runners up spot in the 3000 metres handicap where victory went to John Thomson, Glenrothes. Craig Bell, Forfar finished in third place. It was 50 years ago to the day that John Thomson made his Highland Games debut in the Boys Mrathon at Ceres. The biggest cheer of the day came for Jason White, TLJT who wo the Youth 800 metres handicap in fine style, the diminuative Borderer looked to be getting reeled in by his rivals as he approached the last lap, the sound of the bell however appeared to lift him and he took off gain and spurred on by the crowd he stormed across the finish line ahead of the rapidly closing backmarker Kyle McFarlane, Pitreavie AC and Aaron Glendinning, Leithen burn.
There was a rare occurrence in the Cycle events with all four races being won by different riders. Paul Gallacher, Kirkcaldy made his seasonal debut a winning one by claiming victory in the 800 metres handicap from Paul Anderson, Perth and James Melville Dumbarton.
The Scottish Highland Games Association 1600 metres Championship saw Charles Fletcher, Grantown on Spey retain his title coming home ahead of Cedric Sachet, France and Paul Gallacher.
Frenchman Sachet has been a welcome addition to the games circuit this season and rode his best race of the campaign to win the 3000 metres handicap. Riding a fine tactical race he croessed the line ahead of Paul Gallacher and Charles Fletcher.
Just when it looked like we were going to get through Ceres Games without a cycling mishap a late afternoon shower put paid to that thought. The track had turned greasy and on the second elimination lap of the Deil tak the Hindmost three riders hit the deck as they came round the Beer Tent Bend, With Charles Fletcher, Flora Gillies and Craig Hamilton all out of the race that left only 4 riders racing for the prizes and it was Paul Anderson,Perth who handled conditions best to take the win ahead of Cedric Sachet and James Melville.
Eight competitors contested the heavy events which were dominated by three of the top throwers on the circuit, Lukasz Wenta, Vlad Tulacek and Kyle Randalls. Full results to follow.
Published: 2019-06-29 21:49:11
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