Halkirk Utd vs Orkney

Orkney arrived late for the friendly game with Halkirk Utd and I only caught the first 20mins before rushing off to catch the rugby and shinty in Thurso. It was 0-0 when I left and there is an unconfirmed report that Orkney won 3-1.

Caithness vs Ellon

Gary Mackay is tackled

Kris Hamilton

Kris Hamilton

Gordie Macleod scores the first try

Gordie MacLeod just gets his pass away

Roddy Gray scores the second try despite getting flattened

I caught the last 20 mins of the first half and 10 mins of the second half of the Caithness RFC vs Ellon league match at Millbank today. This game was sandwiched between the Halkirk Utd vs Orkney and the Caithness vs Sutherland shinty games.

Ellon had the wind in the first half but could only score a late penalty to go in at half-time 3-0 up. Caithness scored two tries in the first 10 mins of the second half (Gordie MacLeod and Roddy Gray) and went on to win 26-3. They are now 4th in the league only 1 point behind 2nd place and 8 points behind leaders Aberdeenshire.

Shinty Cup - Caithness vs Sutherland

The Caithness and Sutherland shinty teams battled it out on Viewfirth green today for the Kenny  "Nostie" MacLeod memorial cup. It was the first time that the cup was competed for. Sutherland (in the white strip), were well on top in the first half, were 5-3 up and missed a penalty early in the second half. Caithness had the wind in the backs for the second half and played a stormer to score 3 goals and win 6-5. They missed several chances and could have score 10.

Caithness put on a substitute late on and he proved the hero with two late goals. However, he had to go off after being hit in the jaw with the ball travelling at high speed. I suspect his jaw is broken, the smack was heard by everyone at the green.

There were two teams of first aiders at the match. I'm not surprised as the game is the roughest and most dangerous I have come across. Most wore helmets (and some with face visors), but a few brave souls didn't have any protection. I didn't sit behind the goal line, in case I got hit by the ball!

The man of the match was Caithness forward Katie Booth, one of several girls on the pitch.

The cup was presented by Kenny MacLeod's widow Marianna, to her daughter Isabel and team captain Ewen.

Halkirk vs Invergordon

Alan Hughes

Stephen Campbell punches clear

Garry MacLeod

Martin Sutherland and Jack Halliday congratulate Marc Gunn (right0 on scoring the 2nd goal

Duncan Morris outruns Garry MacLeod

Invergordon's first goal

Invergordon's Alan Kerr appears to land on Asa Sinclair's lower leg as the ball bounces into the goal

Martin Sutherland cannot stop the ball hitting the net

Asa Sinclair is carried off in agony

I caught the first half of the Halkirk vs Invergordon cup tie yesterday (before heading into Thuso for their match with Golspie and then the Caithness RFC vs Mackie Academy match).  Halkirk played with the strong wind and sun behind them and cruised into a two nil lead courtesy of Marc Gunn.

Invergordon got one back 5 mins before the interval. Halkirk goalie Asa Sinclair jumped with Invergrodon's Alan Kerr to catch a cross ball. The ball fell behind them and bounced into the net. However, it looks as though Kerr accidentally fell onto Asa's lower leg as they landed. Asa had to be stretchered off and taken away by ambulance.

Chris Sutherland took over the jersey. Marc Gunn scored his third in the 2nd half, but Invergordon won 4-3.

Thurso vs Golspie

James MacKay hits the winner from 30 yards

James MacKay's screamer hits the back of the net

James MacKay's effort is saved by Gordon Macrae

Sandy Sutherland is fouled by Jordan Sutherland

Scott MacAngus is hit from behind by Thurso's Graham MacNab

Ronnie Jones

Darryn MacKay and Golspie's Gary MacKenzie

Thurso beat Golspie 1-0 today at the Dammies. James MacKay scored with a 30 yard screamer into the top corner. I missed the first half when two were sent off, one from each side.

I caught the first half of the Halkirk vs Invergordon match and Halkirk were winning 2-1. They lost 4-3. Halkirk keeper Asa Sinclair was stretchered off late in the first half. Pics to follow.

Caithness RFC vs Mackie Academy

Stevie Campbell

Grant Anderson

Gary Mackay

Stevie Campbell

Stevie Campbell

Danny Gordon

Stevie Campbell

Evan Sutherland

Danny Gordon

Caithness beat Mackie Academyy 41-12 today at Millbank.  The Greens scored 4 tries in the first 20 mins to wrap up the match. I arrived just after half-time and it was 36-5.

Caithness played against the strong wind and sun in the 2nd half and never got near the try line (where I was!) until the last minute when Marc Nicolson scored a try. Like the last game, there was a punch up between a few players as tempers flared, even though the match was already well won.