Caithness RFC vs Orkney



Stevie Campbell breaks through the Orkney defence to score a try





Evan Sutherland scores a late try in the corner

Caithness comfortably beat Orkney 38-3 at a muddy Millbank today. With 5 tries, a much needed bonus point was gained for their march up the table from 2nd bottom place.

Halkirk Utd vs Dingwall Thistle

I caught most of the first half of the Halkirk vs Dingwall Thistle league match at the Recreation Park today in glorious sunshine. Halkirk never got going and really struggled in the first half, but held onto 0-0 at the half-time whistle. The only excitement was when Halkirk goalie Graeme Williamson caught a runaway dog!

The Anglers scored 3 goals in the 2nd half (Alan Larnach, Chris Sutherland and Martin Banks) without a reply.

The other scores were;

Clach 1 vs  0 Alness
Muir of Ord Rovers 3 v 1 Balintore
Golspie v Thurso match off due to frozen pitch

I travelled to Thurso to catch the Caithness RFC match vs Orkney. The Greens were easy winners by 38 points to 3 and gained a bonus point for 5 tries. Pics later.

Shortlisted for Sports Photographer of the Year

The Societies are holding their annual Photographer of the Year awards in London next Sunday night and I have been shortlisted for two of the three sports categories - General and Motors - see above pics.

I'm very tempted to travel to London for the weekend, but will not be able to make it.

Thurso vs Halkirk Utd



No. 11 Marc MacGregor is congratulated on scoring Thurso's equaliser





Martin Banks watches his header hit the back of the net for Halkirk's 3rd goal




Happy bunnies after scoring the 3rd




Martin Banks shoots to score his 2nd and Halkirk's 4th



Halkirk Utd beat Thurso 4-1 at a very wet and windy Dammies today. Grant MacNab scored first for Halkirk and Marc MacGregor equalised. Jack Halliday scored from a very suspicious offside position to put Halkirk in front just before the break. Thurso had most of the play in the second half (playing with the strong wind) but could not score. Sub Martin Banks scored two brilliant goals late in the game to secure the points.

Thurso's Lee Elder was sent off mid-way through the 2nd half for a headbutt aimed at Nigel MacKenzie (who was booked). Grant MacNab had to be carried off after a nasty ankle injury. The pitch was surprisingly firm, but it was still heavy going and very slippery for the players. There were a few very wintery showers throughout the match (I got soaked) and the crowd wasn't as large as expected - probably as most thought the game was postponed.

Shooting the Halkirk rapids

Six "paddlers" from all of the Caithness clubs ventured onto the Thurso river at Halkirk on New Year's Eve to practice at shooting the lively rapids. This is the first time I have snapped this sport on fresh water and it a lot different to surf kayaking. Much closer for a start and lots more spray flying around.

It was quite dull and I had to work at f2.8 and ISO 2,500 to freeze the action.

Caithness RFC vs Exiles

Eilidh Cadzow presents the Sinclair Cadzow Memorial Cup to Exiles Captain Donald Sangster



The triumphant Exiles





John Millar scores the Greens only try



The annual Boxing Day match between Caithness RFC and Caithness Exiles/students for the Sinclair Cadzow Memorial Cup was held at Millbank today in front of a good sized crowd. The Exiles proved far too tricky and fast for the Greens and ran in 6 tries to 1. The final score was 36-13. 

The Exiles took advantage of the strong wind in the first half and went into the break 29-6 in front. The Greens had most of the play in the 2nd half but could not break the defence until there was a few minutes left. John Millar caught the Exiles napping and scored a try unopposed. Blair McIntosh got an early 2nd half try for the Exiles.

The scorers were;

Caithness RFC: Liam Brims (2 pens) John Millar (try) Marc Anderson (conv)
Exiles: Tries - Blair MacIntosh (2), Danny Gordon, Davie McIvor, Duncan Sangster, Kris Hamilton
Conversions - James O'Brien (2), Kris Gove

The starting line ups were;
Greens                                      Exiles
15 - Gordie Macleod                James O'Brien     
14- James Sinclair                     Danny Gordon
13 - Marc Anderson                 Duncan Sangster
12  Graham Poke                     James Patterson
11 - Martin Oswald                  Kris Gove
10 - Liam Brims                       Blair McIntosh
9  -  Graham Fryer                   Kris Hamilton
8  - Evan Sutherland                 Andrew Sangster
7  - Reece Coghill                    Donald Sangster (c)
6  - Grant Anderson                 Chris Simpson
5  - Andy Morris                      Bruce Stewart
4  - John Millar                        Callum MacDonald
3  - Ranald Pottinger                Paul Sheerin
2  - Marc Nicolson                  Davie McIvor
1  - Sinclair Dunnet                  Haldi Pottinger