Scottish Highland Games Association

FUN IN THE SUN AT ST ANDREWS

FUN IN THE SUN AT ST ANDREWS

SHANE FENTON reports from Station Park

St Andrews Highland Games enjoyed one of their biggest crowds in years on Sunday. Early showers cleared and Station Park in the shadow of the Old Course Hotel was bathed in warm sunshine for the remainder of the afternoon.

There were good entries in all events including hundreds of visitors who took part in the childrens and overseas visitors races.

There was an international field of 8 competitors in the heavy events which were dominated by Polish brothers Sebastien and Lukasz Wenta who finished 1st and 2nd overall just ahead of Scotland's top man on the day Lorne Colthart, the latter won the 28lb for distance and 16lb hammer events, Sebastien was victorious in the 22lb hammer and Caber and shared first place with Lukasz in the 56lb for height, Lukasz also won both the 16lb and 22lb shot putt contests.

There was good fields in the running events and some impressive performances, the Open 90 metres handicap which carries a first prize of £200 saw three male athletes from the Borders and three female athletes from Fife emerge from the six heats to take there place in the final, after having to consult the photo finish equipment the verdict went to Craig Bruce of Selkirk in 10 seconds dead who edged out Sarah Ross, Pitreavie, Matthew Fleming, Kelso, Darren Tomlinson,TLJT, Lindsay Cooch, Pitreavie AC and Victoria Stephens, Dunfermline Track & Field Club.

The Open 200 metres was won by one of New Zealand's top female sprinters, Fiona Morrison who runs for the Christchurch Old Boys United AC finished third over 200m in her national championships and is currently in Scotland for the Commonwealth Games. the 25 year old showed good speed to win her her heat in 20.20s and improved on that with an impressive run in the final to break the tape in 19.80s with Lindsay Cooch runner up and Ewan Pettigrew, Kelso third.

Pettigrew also filled the 3rd place position in the 400 metres where in an exciting finish it was Andrew Thomson, Jedburgh who prevailed in 49.10s with Willie Bates, Tullibody in 2nd. Billy Martin, Markinch who was returning from injury looked to have the race won before treading water in the last 10 metres.

The crowd were treated to some excellent running in the middle distance races from West of Scotland backmarkers Grant Muir, Shettleston and Alistair Campbell, Ron Hill Cambuslang.

Muir who had to negotiate his way though a big field to win the previous week at Loch Lomond had to do so again before claiming victory in 1m 53.75m with Kobe Stevens, Moorfoot runner up and Sophie Collins, Peebles 3rd.

Muir impressed again in the 1600 metres, despite running from a reduced handicap he thrilled the appreciative crowd as he worked his way through the field to win in 4m 23.11s, Stevens was again runner up with Alistair Campbell 3rd.

Campbell showed in the 3200 metres that the longer distances are his forte with an excellent run from the virtual backmark to come home clear of Dean Whiteford, Innerleithen with Kobe Stevens this time 3rd. Former highland games stalwart Terry Mitchell made a rare appearance at his home games finishing 6th running in his customary bare feet.

The Youth's 90 metres saw 4 athletes flash over the line in unison with Samantha Turnbull,Peebles getting the verdict in 10.06s with Soraya Sadeghpoor, Dalgety Bay and Brodie Cowan, Jedburgh 2nd and 3rd respectively.

There was good fields for the Youth middle distance races with the 800m and 1600m producing a family double, Laura Blair, Pitreavie AC turned in a gutsy performance to hold off all challengers to win the 800m in 1m 55.00s with brother Lewis who recently won at the Thornton Games the victor in the 1600 metres in 4m 35.12s, Dylan Thomson who also runs for the Pitreavie club was runner up on both ocassions.

16 bikers - 8 each - in the Open and Youths thrilled the crowds on the fast Station Park track, there was drama in the opening 800 metres where Ian Hepburn, Cairneyhill came off his bike and sustained an injury which stood him down until the last event Deil tak the Hindmost , the 800 saw Edinburgh's Jason Bryden win his first ever race on the games circuit to the delight of his fellow competitors, the Capitals Dougie Shaw was the victor in the 1600m before Craig Hardie, Dalgety Bay did the 3200m and Deil double, the two Youth races on the card the 800m & 1600m were won by Chris Horden from Linlithgow.

This was the end of an exhausting spell for the competitors with 14 games having taking place in the space of 9 days.

Results

Published: 2014-07-28 11:52:02