MP enjoys Kintyre ploughing match
TURNING a straight and true furrow, ploughmen gathered to match their skills in a Kintyre contest.
Thomas Ralston of Kilkivan took the overall prize and his second ploughing match medal last Saturday at the Kintyre Agricultural Society annual ploughing match, at The Drum farm, by kind permission of the Young family.
Despite wet weather leading up to the day, 21 competitors took part in a very keenly contested competition.
Nichola Young, wife of host and current society president, James, presented the prizes at the end of the compe- tition, which was enjoyed by Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara.
A society spokesperson said: ‘Kintyre Agricultural Society would like to thank the Young family for hosting the ploughing match, Richard McCrindle for judging, Sue and Heather for providing the refreshments and to all competitors and helpers for making the day a success.’
Results: Class one (10 – 12 inch): 1 Gavin Reid, 2 Jock Sommerville, 3 Jake Ronald. Extra prizes: Best break: Jock Sommerville, Straightest: Gavin Reid, Best first six furrows: Jock Sommerville, Best last six furrows: Gavin Reid, Best ins and outs: Iain McKendrick, Best finish: Gavin Reid.
Class Two (More than 12 inch): 1 Thomas Ralston, 2 Jamie Reid, 3 Murray Barbour. Extra prizes: Best break: Murray Barbour, Straightest: Thomas Ralston, Best first six furrows: Jamie Reid, Best last six furrows: Thomas Ralston, Best ins and outs: Paul Newall, Best finish: Paul Newall.
Class three (Reversible): 1 James Young, 2 Ian Barbour, 3 Andrew Ralston, 4 Stuart Newlands. Extra prizes: Best break: Andrew Ralston, Best first six furrows: Andrew Ralston, Straightest: James Young, Best last six furrows, Best ins and outs and Best finish: Ian Barbour.
Special prizes: First on field: Jock Sommerville. First finished: Joe Johnston. Least experienced: Greg Newlands. Youngest Competitor: Jake Ronald. Furthest travelled: Jock Sommerville, Oldest competitor: Alistair Strang. Best looking ploughman: Murray Barbour. Hardest luck: Jock Sommerville. Worst Plot: Joe Johnston. Tidiest yoke: Murray Barbour.
Tractor prizes: Best maintained: Murray Barbour. Second best maintained: Jamie Reid. Oldest tractor: Iain McKendrick. Newest tractor: Maggie McKendrick.
Cup winners: Kintyre Agricultural Cup and winner of the R.H.A.S. medal: Thomas Ralston. Messrs Ralston Cup for winner in non-medal class: Gavin Reid. John Cullen Cup for winner of reversible class: James Young. John McKay Cup for best lot by a 25-year-old or younger: Murray Barbour. Glenside Cup for most points using a Case/International tractor: James Young. Hamilton Bros. Cup for most points using a Massey Ferguson tractor: Gavin Reid. Ford Cup for most points using a Ford tractor: Jamie Reid.