Sports review of the year – part two
July Hamilton Accies win D& K Cup
AN UNBEATEN Hamilton Accies left Oban with some silverware after winning the 23rd annual D& K Lafferty Cup.
The winners saw off tough competition in Dundee United, Heart of Midlothian, Alloa Athletic and the only other side to progress through the tournament without losing a game, Oban Saints.
Hamilton finished the tournament on 10 points, with Dundee United finishing second with seven points. Oban Saints finished third with six, with Hearts finishing fourth with two points and Alloa Athletic came bottom of the group with one point.
West Highland Tennis Week at upgraded courts
THE UPGRADED tennis courts at Atlantis Leisure, Oban, were well used as they played host to the 45th annual West Highland Tennis Week.
Around 70 competitors took part in the competition, with 16 of those being from America.
Locals were also involved with 20 of them showing up to play in the Argyll day tournament. 17_t28tennis01
August Magic McPhee scores maiden GP victory in Czech Republic
CONNEL’S John McPhee produced an outstanding wet weather display to take his maiden grand prix race victory – despite horrendous conditions in the Moto3 World Championship round at Brno in the Czech Republic.
Having provisionally qualified in 11th place the previous day, the Racing Steps Foundation-backed rider was handed an overnight boost of two grid slots after penalties were handed out to a pair of riders ahead who were adjudged to have ridden too slowly.
Red- and- blacks to face Newtonmore in Camanachd Cup final
Oban Camanachd are through to the 2016 Camanachd Cup final after they defeated Lochaber 4-2 in their action-packed semi-final at Taynuilt Sports Field.
Andrew MacCuish, who was named BBC Alba man of the match by pundit Gary Innes, scored two of Camanachd’s goals, with Daniel MacVicar and Daniel Cameron netting the remaining two to see their team through to the final.
September Oban side lose to early goal in Camanachd Cup final
SHINTY’S ‘big day’ out ended in success for Newtonmore as they lifted the Camanachd Cup for the 31st time following a tense and keenly- contested 1- 0 victory over Oban Camanachd.
The final took place on a sunny day and in front of large crowd in Fort William. Glen MacKintosh scored the only goal of the match in the third minute of play.
Oban Celtic win South Division One
Oban Celtic clinched the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title and promotion to the Marine Harvest National Division with an emphatic 9-1 win over Kyles Athletic’s second team in their 3pm throw up at Tighnabruaich.
October Craggy Island Triathalon proves to be another big success
AROUND 500 competitors took part in the annual Craggy Island Triathlon last weekend.
The event, which is organised by Durty Events, raises money for Oban Mountain Rescue Team. Paul McGreal of Durty Events said: ‘It was absolutely fantastic and the good weather helped. Kerrera being beautiful also helped with the racing.’
One of the participants was television broadcaster and Deacon Blue drummer Dougie Vipond.
Scotland legend Chris coaches the art of kicking to members of Oban Lorne RFC
A MIXTURE of youth, 1st XV and ladies players were fortunate to attend a specialist kicking session delivered by Scotland legend Chris Paterson at BT Murrayfield last Friday.
The session arranged by Oban Lorne RFC committee member Tommy Sutherland was set up to help Oban centre Alessandro Franzo with his university studies but also acted as a fantastic opportunity for some of the club’s players learn from a top level coach. Oban Lorne RFC would like to thank both Chris Paterson and Scottish Rugby for their help in organising a fantastic day for the players.
Isle of Mull win battle of North Argyll
ISLE of Mull Rugby Club secured victory over local rivals Argyll and Bute RFC away from home in an entertaining spectacle for the Oban crowd.
Autumn sunshine and Glencruitten’s superb playing surface was the setting for this local derby. The two sides had met only a fortnight before at Garmony and the islanders were feeling quietly confident after their 48- 0 victory.
The Muilleachs turned in a first class performance to win this game 33- 8. Magnus makes international debut against tough Argentina FORMER Oban High School pupil Magnus Bradbury made his debut for the Scottish national team at BT Murrayfield on Saturday in Scotland’s 19-16 autumn test win against Argentina.
Playing 52 minutes of the nail-biting, last-minute win, Bradbury impressed in his first Scotland appearance with some confident powerful runs, impressive tackling, including a try-saving effort on Argentina’s winger Guido Petti.
MacCrone wins emotional Beatson’s Mull Rally
TWELVE months after being involved in the terrible crash which claimed the life of his close friend and co- driver Andy Mort, John MacCrone claimed an emotional win in the Beatson’s Mull Rally.
The Dervaig driver, piloting his Ford Fiesta R5 and reunited with co- driver Stuart Loudon, with whom he took victory in 2013, won a thrilling battle with his old rival, nine-time winner Calum Duffy.
November Glencruitten golfer sets his sights on turning professional next year
SCOTTISH Amateur Golfer of the Year Robert MacIntyre will spend one more season as an amateur before testing himself on the professional circuit.
Robert was awarded the prestigious amateur of the year accolade after having ‘his best year on the course’, finishing the season as the leading Scot in the world amateur golf rankings. He is currently in 11th place. 17_t44RobertMacIntyre03
December Kyokushinkai grading tests
The Caledonia Kyokushin clubs held grading tests in Oban and Lochgilphead. The Oban grading saw Charlie McLaughlin move up to 3rd Kyu, while his brother Darryl moved up to 1st kyu.
Paul Mackay deserves a special mention as the latest member of the club to gain his ‘shodan’ - 1st degree black belt.