Brora Rangers vs Wick Academy

Danny Mackay jumps for the ball as Wick goalkeeper Michael Gray reaches for it



Michael Gray is knocked over but no foul is given and Brora score as the ball breaks free




No 8 Alex Macleod watches as his "tap in" goes over the line





Davie Allan breaks free and goes on to score his first goal




Davie Allan scores his first 





Sam Mackay blasts a shot at goal as Stuart Golabeck watches



Wick beat Brora 2-1 last night in front of a large crowd at Dudgeon Park. Davie Allan scored both goals (now 11 for the season)  before Brora pulled one back with a highly controversal goal. Wick goalie Michael Gray was booked for protesting that he was fouled as he caught the ball. My first two pics show that he has a case.

Lots of sleet and rain in the first half, but the weather was perfect after the break.

Surfing calendar

The Scottish Surfing Federation 2012 Calendar is now available in stores across Scotland and available to buy online! The calendar features photographs of surfing in Scotland, photos of Scottish surfers and photos taken by Scottish photographers as well as photographs from well known surf photographers such as Tim Nunn and Al Mackinnon who kindly donated some of their best shots to help raise the profile of the SSF.


Information about where to get the calendar and about the SSF can be found at http://www.scottishsurfingfederation.com

and the calendar can be purchased online at http://www.throughthewhiskybarrel.com/Through_The_Whisky_Barrel/Buy_The_SSF_2012_Calendar.html

The calendar features one of my pics from the 2008 O'Neill surfing event at Brims Ness.

Wick Academy vs Strathspey Thistle

Wick Academy beat Strathspey Thistle 4-1 today at Harmsworth Park. 3 nil up at half-time with goals by David Allan and two from Sam Mackay. Stevie Cunningham made it 4-0 before Alan Farquhar scored an own goal. Academy hit the post twice and missed several good chances.

The weather was perfect for the game, just a bit cold! There were hail showers just before and after the match.

The only other game played in the Highland League was Fraserburgh vs Formartine (3-2).

Both Thurso and Halkirk Utd's games were postoned. Caithness RFC did not have a game today. Their next match is the annual fixture vs the exiles on Boxing Day at 1pm.

Caithness RFC Christmas Party

The Caithness rugby club had their players and partners Christmas night out tonight in the Upper Deck restaurant, Scrabster. There were prizes for best and worst Christmas jumper. Hamish & Kate won the prize for best dressed couple.

Photographer of the Year Success

I'm delighted to have been awarded 3rd prize in Digital Camera Magazine's 2011 Photographer of the Year competition (action & movement category) with my backlit surfing shot taking during the semi-finals of the 2011 O'Neill Cold Water Classic at Thurso East.

I win a years membership to the Royal Photographic Society and a years subscription to the magazine. The winner lives in Russia. The link to the winning pics is;


http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2011/12/13/action-and-movement-category-winners-photographer-of-the-year-2011/

Halkirk Christmas Tree & Lights

There was a cracking clear blue sky this afternoon, so snapped Halkirk's Christmas tree and lights just after sunset - around 4.30pm. Long exposure of around 15secs at f14 to get the car trail lights throughout the whole scene.

Halkirk Utd vs Muir of Ord Rovers



Martin Banks scores Halkirk's first goal on the stroke of half time



Halkirk Utd beat Muir of Ord Rovers 3-0 in the cup semi-final today. The first half was mostly played in a hail storm and a howling gale. At least it didn't rain!

Martin Banks scored in the last minute of the first half as Halkirk played into the wind. Alan Larnach scored mid-way through the second half with a 30 yard screamer into the top corner. Chris Sutherland scored in the last minute with a delicate chip over everyone.

Rovers had a few yellow cards, a sending off and their manager was sent to the stands for protesting too strongly about the sending off.

The Utd team was;

1 - Graeme Williamson
2 - Colin Sinclair
3 - Stuart Florence
4 - Alan Sinclair
5 - Gavin Sinclair
6 - Martin Cook
7 - Alan Larnach
8 - Jack Halliday
9 Martin Banks
10 - Nigel McKenzie
11 - Grant MacNab
12 - Chris Sutherland (used)
14 - Michael Bremner (used)