Highland Games swings into Southend

THE ANNUAL Southend Highland Games proved a smash hit once again at the Mull of Kintyre.

Held last Saturday evening, at the community playing field, the games were formally opened by Kintyre School Pipes Band who played a traditional selection before the competitions got underway.

Junior events got wee hearts racing as youngsters flew down the home straight to the roars of a very re- spectably sized crowd. While the sun wasn’t shining, the rain thankfully stayed off until the very end and a welcome breeze kept competitors cool and the midges at bay.

The senior races produced some classic contests, including a dipped finish for the men’s 100 yards which saw Paul Dearie just pip John McCallum to the title.

John got his revenge in the 220- and 440yard races though, beating Paul and the rest of the field comfortably in the slightly longer distances.

Emma Moran took the 100-yard ladies title, while Ashley Connor took the 220 distance.

In the longer distances, Kenny Campbell proved his dominance by taking the men’s half-mile and mile races, picking up the Kevin Scally Cup in the process.

Jennifer Martin was similarly dominant in the ladies’ long distance races, also picking up the half-mile and mile titles.

In the heavy field events, Arran’s Scott Clark showed off his muscle and technique by picking up five titles, including tossing the caber.

The Open Cup was shared between Clark and Dearie, who also tied first in the high jump with McCallum.

The Carskiey Cup for best local competitor went to Kevin McIntyre.

There were a number of more light-hearted but equally competitive events, including sack races, ladies broom throwing and the mother and daughter piggyback race which all added a dose of fun to an excellent event.

For more reporting and pictures, see page 19 and page 12.

Full results: Hammer: 1 Craig Nicholson 2 Scott Clark 3 Paul Dearie. Shot putt: Scott Clark 2 Paul Dearie 3 Craig Nicholson. 100 yards: 1 Paul Dearie 2 John McCallum 3 Kevin McIntyre. 220 yards: John McCallum 2 Paul Dearie 3 Kevin McIntyre. 440 yards: 1 John McCallum 2 Paul Dearie 3 Wallace McGowan. Half-mile: 1 Kenny Campbell 2 Stuart McGeachy 3 Drew Dutton. One mile: 1 Kenny Campbell 2 Stuart McGeachy 3 Drew Dutton. 100 yards ladies: 1 Emma Moran 2 Efric McNiell 3 Elaine Fraser. 220 yards ladies: 1 Ashley Connor 2 Emma Moran 3 Elaine Fraser. 440 yards ladies: 1 Jennifer Martin 2 Emma Moran 3 Elaine Fraser. Half-mile ladies: 1 Jennifer Martin 2 Emma Moran 3 Elaine Fraser. One mile ladies: 1 Jennifer Martin 2 Emma Moran 3 Elaine Fraser. Throwing 28lb weight: 1 Scott Clark 2 Craig Nicholson 3 Ernie Weir. Weight over bar: 1 Scott Clark 2 Craig Nicholson 3 Paul Dearie. Tossing tyre: 1 Scott Clark 2 Craig Nicholson 3 Paul Dearie. Caber toss: 1 Scott Clark 2 Craig Nicholson 3 Ernie Weir. High jump: 1 Paul Dearie and John McCallum 3 Kevin McIntyre. Ladies high jump: 1 Jilly Lefbvre 2 Myriam Gilbride and Elaine McGeachy. Broom throwing: 1 Sarah Bateman 2 Georgia Edmonson 3 Alison Millar. Carskiey Cup winner: Kevin McIntyre. Kevin Scally Cup: Kenny Campbell. Open Cup winner: Paul Dearie and Scott Clark.

04_c31southendgames01 Boys in the 6-8 category racing down the track.

04_c31southendgames22 Scott Clark tosses the caber.

04_c31southendgames08 Youngsters trying to keep their feet in the under-six sack race.

04_c31southendgames02 Paul Dearie lunging for the 100-yard finish line.

04_c31southendgames12 Dearie making light work of the high jump.

04_c31southendgames15 John McCallum leaving the field in his wake in the 440-yard race.

04_c31southendgames03 Emma Moran coasting to the 100-yard title.