Scottish Highland Games Association

Sun comes out for afternoon of action at Airth

SHANE FENTON reports from The Wilderness

Early heavy showers gave way to blue skies and the North Greens Park was bathed in fine afternoon sunshine for the 147th Airth Highland Games.

A good crowd circled the arena many from overseas to cheer on their favourites in the various events.

There was local success in the Open 90 metres handicap with Cameron Smith,Central AC sprinting to victory in 9.50 seconds just holding off the late swoop from backmarkers Calum McWilliam East Kilbride AC and Greg Turnbull Jedburgh.

Smith was thwarted for the double in the Open 200 metres handicap just failing to reel in frontmarker Fiona Steel Motherwell AC who broke the tape in 20.83 seconds. David Allan Balloch who landed a treble at the recent Lochearnhead Games finished thrd.

There was a good field for the Open 400 metres handicap which was won in fine style by Greg Turnbull who staved off the challenge of backmarker Ewen Dyer Pitreavie AC in 47.87 with Matthew McKenna, Cambuslang in third.

Dyer and McKenna had to settle for the minor berths once again in the Open 800 metres handicap where they chased home recent Alva Games winner Esouard Lecrivain Aberdeen AC who crossed the finish line in 1:48.91.

There was further local success when Dale Colley,Falkirk Victoria landed the 1600 metres and 3200 metres double. In the 1600 metres he came through from the 135m mark to land the spoils from Matthew McKenna and Willie Bates Tullibody. In the 3200 metres he was followed over the finish line by Edouard Lecrivain and Sheena Logan Fife AC.

There was a close finish to the Youth 90 metres handicap final where Steven Bates Tullibody edged out Skye Marshall Pitreavie AC and Archie Suttie Anstruther in 10.54s. Despite running from a reduced handicap Bates landed a double with victory in the Youth 200 metres in 23.81 with Skye Marshall again runner up and this time Anna Suttie third.

Not for the first time this season Gaspard Lecrivain Aberdeen AC turned in an excellent performance to win the Youth's 800 metres handicap from the backmark, timing his run to perfection to pip Anna Suttie and New Year youth 800m winner Skye Marshall in 1:59.54.

Cyclist Paul Gallacher Kirkcaldy is in a fine vein of form at present and that continued at Airth with a clean sweep of wins in all four races. On each occasion he was followed home by Steve Jackson Glasgow with James Melville Alexandria landing three third places and Ian Archibald one. Ian Hepburn,Paul Anderson, Dave Hordon filled the minor berths.

There was an excellent heavy events competition which attracted eight competitors, still awaiting the full results.

Published: 2018-07-28 21:44:51