Rockfield teams perform well at National First Shinty finals
The Ferguson Transport and Shipping National First finals 2023 brought together more than 150 of the best young shinty players from across Scotland on Friday February 24.
Rockfield Primary School from Oban fielded sides in both the P5 and under, plus P7 and Under competitions in Fort William.
The P5 and under tournament was played at Lochaber High School and the standard of play throughout the day was excellent as the group games were closely contested between the top 10 national school teams.
Section A saw last year’s winners BSGI remain undefeated in the group stages with some excellent play and goals scored.
Alvie Primary followed them into the semi-finals as the runners-up, while Section B was also very closely fought with the final games deciding who progressed into the final four.
Rockfield school had a very impressive run of form throughout the day, winning three games and drawing one in the group stages as they went through as Section B winners.
BSGP followed them into the semi-finals with two wins, a draw and a loss.
The first semi-finals saw BSGI and BSGP face off against each other and there was little between the teams as BSGP won with a golden goal in extra time.
It was goals galore in Rockfield’s semi-finals as the Primary 4-5s were defeated 6-2 by Alvie, who were on a fine run of form.
Rockfield grabbed a couple of goals back through some excellent forward play but could not catch the bumblebees.
The final saw some skillful shinty from both BSGP and Alvie, with tired legs showing as a full day of shinty caught up with these young players.
Alvie grabbed the first goal after some excellent play from their talented midfield line and then continued their drive forward.
They then used that momentum to add a couple of goals to their tally and ran out 3-0 winners to win the Primary 5 and under tournament.
Elsewhere, the P7 and under tournament was played at the Nevis Centre in Fort William, where all 11 teams gave a great account of themselves as Rockfield bowed out in the group stages.
A talented Caol Primary School side won Section A, while North End Primaries claimed the runners-up spot
Meanwhile, Glenurquhart Primary School topped Section B on goal difference from Ghleann Dail Primary School.
In the semi-finals, Caol proved too strong for Ghleann
Dail, winning 4-1 to book their place in the final, while North End ran out 3-2 winners against Glenurquhart.
The final between Ghleann Dail and North End started at a frantic pace with play raging from end to end, with a high standard of play. North End, however, were driven on by the outstanding Lachlan MacLeod and raced into a two-goal lead, before Ghleann Dail pulled back a well-deserved goal just before half-time.
The second half saw another two goals from MacLeod,
Tide taEles for 2Ean during the weeN from are listed Eelow with differences for major ports listed alongside. All times are GMT (add one hour BST) with his fourth goal of the final proving too much for the talented young Ghleann Dail side.
North End ran out deserved 4-1 winners, winning the P7 and under National First Shinty Championships 2023.