Scottish Highland Games Association

Turnbull retains Scottish 90 metres title at Perth

TURNBULL RETAINS SCOTTISH 90M TITLE AT PERTH

Shane Fenton reports from the NORTH INCH

A dry, warm and wind free day attracted a good crowd to the North Inch for the annual Perth Highland Games.

There was good fields for the running, cycling and heavy events while outwith the main arena hundreds of highland dancers along with four invited pipe bands entertained the crowds. Tug of War, Solo Pipng and a Drum Majors contest also took place.

The opening athletics event was the SHGA Scottish 90 metres Championship and it saw Greg Turnbull,TLJT retain his title in 10.36 seconds edging out John McClennan,Central AC and Craig Bruce,Selkirk into 2nd and 3rd.

Turnbull also came through his heat and cross-tie to reach the final of the Open 90 metres Handicap, but had to settle for third place on this occasion behind David Lauder,Hawick and Lee Goodfellow,TLJT, Lauder who also won over the same distance the previous week at Inverkeithing stopped the watch at 9.70 seconds. The previous weeks Bridge of Allan winner and 3rd Callum Field ,East Kilbride AC and Craig Bruce along with with Kevin Turner,Edinburgh made up the six runner final.which carried a first prize of £200.

Runner up Goodfellow went one better in the Open 200 metres handicap, running from the backmark, the TLJT man worked his way through the field and got up to snatch victory on the line from Geoff Keen,Selkirk and Graeme Armstrong,Edinburgh in 21.96 seconds.

In the Open 400 metres Handicap Eilidh McCallum,Falkirk Victoria won her first ever race on the games circuit, running from the front mark she held off all challengers to win in 48.80 seconds, a power packed finish down the home straight from Greg Turnbull took him into second place with Craig Bell,Forfar in third,

Pitreavie AC's Tyler White had a good day in the middle distance races with two wins and a second place. In the Open 800 metres he timed his run to perfection to overhaul Craig Bell in the run to the line to win in 1:58.09 with his club mate Corey Smith in third place.

Despite running from a reduced handicap in the Open 1600 metres he once again produced a polished performance to win in 4:30.07, Dean Whiteford,Innerleithen came with his customary late run to take second with games debutant Fraser Logan,Belgrave in third.

A further penalty along with tired legs proved too much for White in his bid to land the treble in the Open 3200 metres Handicap. Along with James Taylor,Edinburgh the pair of them forged clear of the field, after eye-balling each other for much of the contest it was Taylor who showed the stronger resolve over the last couple of laps to open up a gap and go on to win his first ever race at the highland games in 9:51.54, Rory Anderson,Hawick stayed on strongly from the backmark to take third place.

In the Youth's events there was doubles for Ross Harris,Chirnside and Ben Lyall,Kelso the latter won the 90 metres and 200 metres handicaps with Ross racing to victory in the 800 metres and 1600 metres Handicaps.

There was a field of five cyclists and they had five races to contest. The highlight being the Scottish 1000 metres Championship where victory went to Gus Gillies,Peebles who forced his bike over the line ahead of James Melville,Dumbarton and Ryan Keir,Newburgh. The rest of the day belonged to Kirkcaldy rider Paul Gallagher who won the 1600 metres 3200 metres, 4800 metres and Deil Tak the Hindmost. In the latter three races James Melville,Dumbarton finished runner up beaten by no more than a wheel length on each occasion.

Once again there was a high quality field for the throwing events, Scott Rider just failed in a couple of ground record attempts while many were impressed with the style and technique of Czech Republic shot-putter Vladislav Tulacek.

Once again there was a high quality field for the throwing events, Scott Rider who just failed in a couple of ground record attempts was the overall winner while many were impressed with the style and technique of Czech Republic shot-putter Vladislav Tulacek. Scott won both the 16lb and 22lb shot putt events with impressive throws of 57'4'' and 48'9'' respectively. Sebastien Wenta won the 16lb hammer before Scott went on to win the 22lb hammer, 28lb for distance and Caber. There was a three way tie in the 56lb for height between Scott, Sebastien and Vlad.

The Tug o' War saw Elgin emerge victorious with Mount Blair second and Moffat in third.

Tug o' War results still awaiting.

Published: 2016-08-14 21:37:48