Schools Athletics: Inshes measure up with victory in Scottish relay championships

Published on 30/10/2012 03:28

INSHES Primary was the only entry from the Highlands and the Inverness school entered just one team.

But Fergus McWilliam, Kai Bremner and Daniel Johnston came up trumps by claiming the Cup for Inshes in the Primary six boys’ race at the Scottish Primary Schools’ Road Relay Championships at Grangemouth.

Fergus was fourth after the last lap, Kai moved into second place and then Daniel eased ahead early on in the final leg and held on for victory.

“The school’s gym teacher, Kathleen Brown, hoped they might make the top ten,” said Kai’s Mum, Jennifer Bremner. “But they are all really keen runners and are all members of Inverness Harriers.

“The two teachers that really help them at the school are Mrs Brown and Charlie Walton. They have both been great.”

Banchory Primary School also gained the reward for a long journey south by taking the Primary seven girls’ title.

Twins Eilidh and Kirsty Campbell were joined by Frances Sealy in the winning line-up. Again, all three are athletic club members – they run in cross-country events for the Banchory and Stonehaven.

St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling won the Primary seven boys’ race, regaining the Cup won by the school in 2009.

Calum Findlay, Craig Palmer and Ross Hutchison were the victorious trio. They run for Central Athletics and all three have already won junior title in the Stirling area.

Hutchesons’ Grammar has a proud record in the Championships. In the last seven years, the Glasgow school has won ten titles. This time it was the Primary six A team that maintained the tradition by winning the girls’ title.

Ele Silvester, Francesca Davidson and Sofia Kirkpatrick proved to be a winning combination.

An encouraging aspect was the size of the entry – up around 25 per cent from last year. Could it be the Olympic factor? The children certainly agreed that London had been a great two weeks – and Mo Farah got the nod as the Team GB hero.

The Secondary Schools event also takes place at the Grangemouth Stadium on Saturday week – and there is another huge entry.

Last year, there were 38 teams from 29 schools – this time there will 135 teams from 92 schools.

Primary seven

Boys: 1. St Ninian’s Primary School, Stirling (Calum Findlay, Craig Palmer, Ross Hutchison) 2. Glasgow Academy (Blair Inglis, Fraser McDonald, Scott Strang) 3. Mosshead Primary A, Bearsden (Elliott Duff, Daniel McGarrie, James Cathro).

Girls: 1. Banchory Primary School (Eilidh Campbell, Kirsty Campbell, Frances Sealy) 2. S Columba’s School A, Kilmacolm (Rachel Bannatyne, Katrina Miller, Kim Crawford)) 3. Glasgow Academy A (Emma Forrest, Eve Denholm, Annabel Ballantyne).

Primary six

Boys: 1. Inshes Primary School, Inverness (Fergus McWilliam, Kai Bremner, Daniel Johnston). 2. Buckstone Primary School, Edinburgh (Josh Howard, Stuart Dobson, Rory Ferguson) 3. Jordanhill Primary Schhol (Cameron Robertson, Shayne Wilson, Aaron Hickey).

Girls: 1. Hutchesons’ Grammar School A (Ele Silvester, Francesca Davidson, Sofia Kirkpatrick) 2. Newington Primary School A, Annan (Nicole Proudfoot, Cody Blyth, Ellis Cook) 3. George Watson’s A (Emily Simmers, Isla Innes, Sally Jack).