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Action all the way at wind battered Bridge of Allan
ACTION ALL THE WAY AT WIND BATTERED BRIDGE OF ALLAN
SHANE FENTON reports from the WALLACE MONUMENT
A strong wind blowing down the park made it a challenge for all concerned at Sunday's 165th Bridge of Allan Highland Games. It didn't deter from the standard of competion however as the Strathallan meeting once again lived up to it's billing as one of the top athletic meetings on the circuit.
There was a thrilling climax to the British Heavy Event Championship, going into the final event, the 56lb weight for height, both Scott Rider and Lorne Colthart were tied on 29 points, in a nail biting finish which caught the imagination of the big crowd it was Scott who took the title, Lorne finished runner-up obverall with Lukasz Wenta in third place.There was a good field of 11 throwers. Full heavy event results to follow.
On the track it was a testing day for the sprinters who were running into the teeth of the gale. The £600 on offer to the winner of the Open 90 metres Handicap is the biggest athletics prize on the SHGA circuit. Despite having to battle the elements the race still produced a photo finish with the verdict going to Callum Field,East Kilbride AC who just pipped his club mate Bethan Malley in 9.56s with former winner Craig Bruce,Selkirk close up in third. The final line up was completed by Connor Gillon,Kelso along with Jedburgh duo Craig Grieve and Martha Douglas.
The 90m Invitation Sprint went to Glyn Desport,Hawick who held off the challenge of Greg Turnbull,Jedburgh and Kieran Halliday,Central AC.
The Open 200 metres handicap was won in fine style by Grant Plenderleith,Falkirk who powered clear of the field off the final bend to win in 20.45s, Glyn Desport finished runner up woth Craig Bruce,as he was in the 90m, in third place.
There was a bit of argy bargy in the Open 400 metres handicap before Andrew Thomson,Jedburgh emerged from the 19 runner cavalry charge to stop the watch at 49.69 seconds, Kobe Stevens,Moorfoot and Callum Field flashed over the line just behind the winner to fill the minor berths.
Similar to recent games there was good fields for the middle distance races. The 800 metres produced a thrilling finish with recent Airth winner Zaynah Aziz,Selkirk holding off all challengers to win in 1:57.84, closing her down rapidly were Matt Dougall,TLJT and Andrew Thomson who had to settle for second and third.
Both the 1600 metres and 3200 metres handicaps were won in fine style by backmarker Ross Mathieson,Woodford Green. In the 1600 he came home ahead of Charlotte Arter,Oxford Uni who had occupied a similar position the day before at Inverkeithing, Euan Martin,Falkirk Victoria came through late for third place.
Despite running from a reduced handicap in the 3200 metres Mathieson delighted the crowd as he worked his way through the field before hitting the front off the final bend to go on and win by 5 metres from the trio of Tyler White,Pitreavie AC, John Entwhistle,Oxford and Euan Martin who battled it out for the minor placings.
There was also good fields in the youth events which is always encouraging to see, the races are split 9-12 years and 13-15 years.
In the younger age category Liam Rathie,Leithenburn did the 90 metres and 200 metres double, the 400 metres went to Hannah Steel,Lothian RC with Josh McKnight,Dollar the victor in the 800 metres.The older age group saw Bruce Lyall,Kelso win the 90m with Sol Stewart,Larkhall YM repeating his 200 metres win from St Andrews the previous week. Molly Wilmott,Selkik held on to win the 400 metres with Aberdeen's Eric Lecrivain claiming the win in the 800 metres.
After having the luxury of the faster ash track at Inverkeithing the previous day the cyclists were back to the slog of a rain softened surface, the term horses for courses certainly rung true with hero from the previous day Gus Gillies,Peebles hardly able to raise a gallop as he struggled in the conditions. The opening 800 metres was won by Ryan Keir,Newburgh, Paul Gallacher,Kirkcaldy was the victor in the 1600 metres with Charles Fletcher,Grantown on Spey taking the 3200 metres. Leading English grass track rider Tom Roper,Penrith ended his debut weekend on the games circuit by wining the Deil tak the Hindmost.
There was an English win in the Triple Jump with Ryan Morgan,Essex leaping out to 40'9'', he had to settle for third place in the Long Jump which was won by Glyn Desport,Hawick 19'1'' with Ben Coates,Oban in second place.
Published: 2016-08-07 21:48:40
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