Scottish Highland Games Association

BLACKFORD REPORT, INTERVIEW AND RESULTS

Central AC Brothers land Blackford Sprint double.

Shane Fenton reports from Perthshire.

Blackford was bathed in sunshine for the first full athletics Games meeting of the 2014 season.
There was also some sparkling performances on the track with Central AC brothers Kieran and Liam Halliday claiming victory in the Youth's 90 metres and Open 90 metres handicaps respectively.

In the Open 90 Liam[8.5m] won his heat in 9.82 seconds and replicated that time in the six runner final as he got up close home to edge out Victoria Stephens[18.75m] Dunfermline Track & Field Club with Martin Barr[7.75m]East Kilbride AC in third.
Kieran's triumph in the Youth's 90 metres was the first of hat trick of wins on the day, he took the 90m in 9.37 seconds with Chloe Mason, East Kilbride AC runNer up and Soraya Sadeghpoor, Pitreavie AC third. The Denny athlete later went on to win both the Youth's 200 metres and 800 metres handicaps.

Markinch sprinter Billy Martin[34m] got his season off to a good start with victory in the 200 metres breaking the tape in 19.98 seconds, Cumbie Bowers[32m], Glenrothes the training companion of Martin looked booked for second before pulling up with an injury 30 metres out, this left Sarah Ross[57m], Pitreavie AC took take the runners up spot with Liam Halliday[30m] third.

The 400 metres produced a photo finish with Willie Bates Tullibody[47m] holding off the late thrust of Martin Barr[36m] East Kilbride AC with John Lowis[42m] D.T.C. third, Bates winning time being 49.54s.
Bates[190m] produced another battling performance to get the better of Fergus McGaw[180m] and Keith Redpath[360m] East Kilbride AC to win the 1600 metres handicap in 4 minutes 26.45 seconds.

The 800 metres handicap went to Craig Bell[127.5m] Forfar with Mike Murdoch[125m] Glenrothes second and Wallace McGown-90m] Sauchie in third.

There was an excellent turn out of cyclists in both the Open and Youth races which hopefully augurs well for the season with 10 riders in each category.
James Melville showed good early season form to win both the 800 metres and 3200 metres handicaps with Steve Jackson, Glasgow the victor in the 1600 metres handicap. Matthew Ball, Linlithgow crossed the line first in the Deil.
Games debutant Lewis Champion, Braco was victorious in all three Youth races , the 800m, 1600m and Deil.
The British Tug of War championship was won by the team from Mount Blair with Strathardle runners up and Moffatt Builders third.
There was a big field of heavy event competitors results to follow.

Interview with Central AC brother Liam and Kieran Halliday who are looking forward to a summer of competing on both the Games circuit and in mainstream events.