Scottish Highland Games Association

RAIN FAILS TO DAMPEN SPIRITS AT160th ALVA GAMES

Shane Fenton reports from the Johnstone Park

Intermittent rain throughout the afternoon failed to dampen the spirits of the competitors and spectators alike who converged on the Johnstone Park for the 160th Celebration of the famous Alva Games. Despite the conditions a good crowd witnessed some excellent competition. It looked for an instance that the highland dancers would have to retreat to a hall but they also managed to complete their full programme outdoors.

The biggest prize of the day is the £400 which goes to the winner of the Open 90 metres Sprint Handicap and it was won by Cameron Smith,Tullibody who held off the challenges of both Jordan Charters,Dolphinton and backmarker John McClennan ,Central AC. This was Smith's fourth 90m win this season following victories at Markinch, Cupar and Kenmore.

The Open 200 metres saw Lee Goodfellow,TLJT repeat his win from 12 months ago getting up in the last few strides to collar Geoff Keen,Selkirk and Ewan Bradley,Inverness. The latter turned in a strong performance to secure victory in the Open 400 metres powering down the straight ahead of Donald McLeod,Stornoway and Graeme Gibson,Cowdenbeath.

Running from the backmark, Rory Muir,Aberdeen AC timed his run to perfection to win the 800 metres Handicap overhauling Ewan Bradley in the home straight with last years winner Dean Whiteford,Innerleithen in third. Later in the afternoon Muir went on to land a double with victory in the 3200 metres Handicap, running from the sctatch mark he appeared to have the race won with two laps remaining, Dean Whiteford however dug in and with one of his customary late bursts forced Muir to up the ante in the closing 150 yards to secure the win.

Tyler White,Pitreavie AC who finished in third place was a comfortable winner of the 1600 metres Hamdicap coming clear of the field to win in 4:34.17, Dean Whiteford and Graeme Gibson filled the minor berths.

It was a good day for the Pitreavie AC duo of Lewis Dow and Caleb McLeod in the Youth races who both landed a double. McLeod won both the Youth's 90 metres and 200 metres Handicaps

with Dow securing wins in the 800 metres and 400 metres handicaps. The Youth's track events were boosted by the large contingent of junior hill runners who had travelled up from the Lake District and it was one of them who won the Youth's 1600 metres handicap with Harvey Lewis, Thornton-in-Craven breaking the tape in 4 minutes 47 seconds.

Five cyclists contested the four races on the card, the feature event the Scottish 3200 metres Championship saw Charles Fletcher,Grantown on Spey retain his title, holding off the determined challenge of James Melville,Dumbarton and Steve Jackson,Glasgow.. The latter pair had won races earlier in the day with Jackson racing to victory in the 800 metres and Melville in the 1600 metres.The final race of the day for the bikers was the Deil tak the Hindmost where victory went to Charles Fletcher.