Double up for Taynuilt in south primary school sixes

A GREAT turnout of 22 teams spread across primary seven and five sections arrived at Taynuilt Playing Fields on Sunday May 7 to compete in the annual South of Scotland Primary School Championships.

Play got under way at 11am and, unusually, the playing fields were basked in sunshine without a cloud in the sky.

In the P7 section, Kilmory and Rockfield shared a goalless draw to give each other a steady start in the competition, while the Balla Bears and Rockfield Rockets beat Bute and Edinburgh respectively to get off to a flyer. With the P7 games being five minutes in length this ensured that most of the games were tight and made for an exciting group.

The P5 games were equally exciting with some high scoring matches ensuring plenty of ac- tion for the spectators. At the end of the group stages the four teams qualifying from the P7 section were Taynuilt, Rothesay, Glasgow Gaels Reds and Aberdour respectively. Taynuilt Tigers and Inverkeithing qualified from their P5 section while Glen Aray and Dunollie qualified from their group.

Possibly the most exciting match of the tournament came in the P5 semi-final where Inverkeithing came back from two goals down to eventually beat Glen Aray 2- 0 on penalties. Taynuilt continued their impressive form and beat Dunollie to set up the P5 final. Taynuilt won the trophy for the second year in succession by eventually beating Inverkeithing in a close final.

In the P7 section both Taynuilt and Rothesay won by the same 3-1 scoreline against GG reds and Aberdour respectively. With the heat playing a part on the players by now Taynuilt beat Bute by two goals to nil to make it a double for the Taynuilt junior shinty club.

This year’s individual winners were Ewan Donnan, Glen Aray, who won the P5 player of the tournament and Callum McMillan, Rothesay, who won the P7 award. In addition to this Regan Craig from Bute Shinty was presented with the Sheena Cameron memorial shield by Dougie Cameron for his outstanding effort and sportsmanship on the day.

Thanks must go to all the volunteers who gave up their time on the day to help run, provide catering, organise facilities and referee.

Taynuilt won both the P5 and P7 titles at the South of Scotland Primary Schools Championship.