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Catch up with all the latest successes at Club, District, Regional and National competitions............. Curling Comp shows Practice does not always make perfect Halkirk rounded off the year with a spirited performance to be 3rd in the District Curling competition held in Inverness. A team of Andrew Gunn, John Coghill, Andrew Gunn and skip Bryan Sinclair overcame the pre-competition favourites Bower A to make the bronze slot their own. Isobel Swanson and Angus Mowat took part in a made up team and came a creditable 5th out of five.
Dunfermline Disappointment but Isobel result lifts Spirits There was to be no repeat of the high heights of National glory as tasted in 2006 and 2007 February Competitions weekends. Although Halkirk still managed a placing with Isobel Swanson doing fantastically well to take third place from strong competition in the Member of the Year competition. An interview timing issue did not help her case but she still did the club proud. The 5 aside football team could not reach the heady heights of Oban in 2006 as a costly 3-3 draw with thornhill, having been 3 nil up was to prove their downfall. the results were as follows:- Halkirk 2 - 1 Brechin Halkirk 2 - 4 Carluke Halkirk 3 - 3 Thornhill Halkirk 1 - 3 Avondale Halkirk 3 - 1 Bankfoot The squad consisted of Roddy G Gray, Gavin Swanson, Bryan Sinclair, Graham Gunn, Alan Rutherford (Bally), Jamie Riddell & Willie Budge
Coghill's reign supreme at Club Junior Quiz The shock of the night at the club Junior Quiz was the two Coghill's, John and Hamish sharing top spot when the scores were tallied. The favourite, and last years winner Alan Macleod came in third. The lads will now make up the Halkirk A team at the District Junior Quiz.
Club Pool and Darts Competition
Pool: 1st - Mark MacDonald 2nd - Carolyn Coghill 3rd - Gavin Swanson
Darts: 1st - John Coghill 2nd - Alistair Budge 3rd - Hamish Coghill
Castletown Butcher shows last year was no fluke Castletown butcher showed his success in the Club winter stock judging last year was no flash in the pan as he won the Junior and Senior Trophies at the District Winter Stock judging held at Quoybrae. Following in the footsteps of fellow Halkirk member, John Anderson, who managed the same feat last year, Andrew was also part of the Halkirk C team which was third overall. Joining Andrew were Robert Sutherland and Willie Budge. 3rd overall individual was Andrew Gunn, farm manager at Sandside Estate, who was part of Halkirk A with Alan Gow and Kenneth Sutherland. Halkirk B were also unplaced, were Bryan Sinclair, Angus Mowat and Shaun Macleod. Taking part in the individual event was Isobel Swanson.
Over wintering Competition stays with Halkirk Jamie Henderson kept up the fine Halkirk tradition of success at the Aberdeen & Northern Marts Over wintering competition. Jamie took the Champion with a home bred beast following Roddy Gray's win last year
Macleod takes Club Winter Stock Judging Shaun Macleod won the Club winter stock judging competition held at Skinnet Farm recently by kind permission of the Coghill family. Official judge for the evening was John Bremner. Females 1st Carolyn
Coghill, 2nd Isobel Swanson, 3rd Fiona
Swanson Juniors 1st
Mark MacDonald 2nd Hamish Coghill, 3rd
John Coghill Links Lass is District Member of the Year Award Club secretary Isobel Swanson came out on top in the Caithness District Member of the year competition held in conjunction with the Generation Game in Bower Hall. Isobel recently took on the post of secretary and is currently a trainee librarian at the North Highland College in Thurso. She will aim to follow in the footsteps of club chairman Bryan Sinclair by keeping the National Member of the year trophy in Caithness when she represents Club and District at the National Competitions Weekend in Dunfermline in February. Brains of the North disappointment for Halkirk Two Halkirk teams were unable to use home advantage in the District Brains of the North competition held in the Ross Institute. After braving the 5 rounds of Agriculture, Domestic & Leisure, Sport, Music and General Knowledge, the teams were "slightly" out of the running for the top two places in the final. B TEAM - Isobel Swanson, Angus Mowat, Gavin Swanson & Graham Gunn A TEAM - Fiona Swanson, Mark MacDonald Hamish Coghill & Alan Macleod
District Cattle Dressing A creditable 3rd place from Robert Sutherland and John Coghill
Its Runners-up in Most Original at Thurso Gala With "The Jungle Book" Halkirk followed up their 4th prize at Halkirk Gala with a 2nd in the Most Original category at Thurso Gala. This meant £75 of prize money and a shield. However a prize draw for the floats entered saw Halkirk win the top prize of £100 to make it a very successful evening for the club. Well done to those who took part and Gunger for his driving "skills". Also thanks to the Sutherland family for the use of their trailer for the three Galas.
Kennedy Cup Relinquished at Caithness Show The five year hold on the Kennedy Cup was finally ended at the Caithness Show as Forss beat Halkirk to the top award. The club were runners-up with the lads 2nd in the Stockjudging and the Ladies just missing out on third place with the display by half a point. 2007 Display The ladies team were Laura Gow, Carol-Ann Budge & Gemma Sutherland The lads were Kenneth Sutherland, Andrew Gunn & Bryan Sinclair
Its Pain in the Rain for Halkirk at Highland It was a case of so close but yet so far as Halkirk were named runners-up in the National Finals of the Club of the Year Competition at the Highland Show. Pipped to the post by Annandale, Halkirk edged out Crossroads who were third. Although disappointed not to take the top award and £1000 cash prize, this is still a fantastic achievement for everyone connected to the club. The National TOW finals saw Halkirk just miss out on a semi-final place. Having lost their first pull to the eventual winners, Halkirk drew with the other three teams in their group. The results are shown below:- Halkirk 0 - 2 Lower Banff The Ladies entry in the Arts
and Crafts competition saw a total of 106.5 points amassed from the
following:-
The Halkirk participation did not end there, with Andrew Gunn, John Anderson and Bryan Sinclair making up half of the Caithness District Senior Stock Judging team and the North B Pentathlon team saw Bryan Sinclair, Jamie Riddell and Willie Budge taking part. However both teams were unplaced in their respective events.
Its Ladies night at Halkirk YF Open Stock Judging The female species swept the boards at Halkirk YFC's annual Open Stock Judging Competition. The event was held at Quoybrae by kind permission of Aberdeen and Northern Marts. The leaders in the Young Farmers, Ladies and Open sections were Lesley Oliphant, West Lyth and Selena Campbell, Framside who tied on 264 points, from a possible 300. Selena is no stranger to success at the event having won the Young Farmers and Ladies sections in 2005, whilst finishing runner-up in the Open. Taking third place in all three sections was Carolyn Coghill, Shepherds Cottage, Stemster. The Novice winner was Colin Campbell, Winless Mains, with John Mcadie, Bowertower in second and Carrie Mcadie, also of Bowertower in third. The mock auction was somewhat of a family affair with John and Susan Mcadie tied in first place and Kenny Mcadie in third. The official judges for the evening were John Bremner and Will Campbell, with stock supplied by Messrs Campbell, Todholes, Aberdeen & Northern Marts, Messrs Campbell, Winless Mains and the Campbell family, Mid Calder. A slave auction was also held during the evening which saw slaves sell to a top bid of £70 to average at £40.
RALLY TROPHY SHARED FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 1964 The Overall Rally Trophy was shared on the 9th of June by Halkirk and Bower. Both clubs had 80 points after a splendid day of Stock Judging, Industrial sections, Practical competitions and Sports. Halkirk started the day with 6 teams in the Stock Judging. Halkirk A, Andrew Gunn, Kenneth Sutherland and John Coghill took 2nd but no individual prizes came Halkirk's way. The other teams were:- B - Bryan Sinclair, Fiona Swanson & Roddy Gray C - John Anderson, Isobel Swanson & Alan Macleod D - Hamish Coghill, Gavin Swanson & Lorraine Angus E - Mark MacDonald, Jamie Gunn & Carolyn Coghill F - Lois McCulloch, Gemma Sutherland & Ellen Falconer Individual - James Rydell The Industrial Competition saw fine performances from Laura Gow and Michelle MacDonald in the Baking section, as well as Isobel Swanson in the Floral Art. The Photographic area also earned Halkirk important points with various entrants. The pick of the Practical eve3nts saw an extremely long ATV run from Jamie Riddell as well as a great performance in the erection of sheep handling equipment by John Coghill and Andrew Gunn. Unfortunately their failure to use baler twine to close the gate cost hem the 1st prize certificate. The Sports in the afternoon was won by Halkirk. A thumping 8-0 in the football saw James Rydell continue his rich vein of scoring form. Following this saw Isobel Swanson gain revenge on her sister in the 100m whilst Hamish Coghill once again impressed in the 400m. The obstacle course was won by Hamish, Isobel and Carolyn. Whilst a valiant attempt was made at the welly boot ski/wool bag race by Carolyn, Beeg Al, Isobel, John and Andrew Gunn.
Sports Cup retained after some fine individual performances The District Sports Cup stays in Halkirk hands following the field night. Having done well in the team events of football and hockey, it was time for some individuals to shine at the field night. The main highlights were victory in the Tossing the sheaf for Ellen Falconer, Bryan Sinclair and Mark MacDonald. As well as victory in the Ladies 100m & 400m for Fiona Swanson. Hamish and Fiona were victorious in the Obstacle race whilst Halkirk A came3 out on top in the TOW, Bryan, Alistair, Mark, Ellen, Isobel & Michelle. Ellen did well to finish 4th out of four in the 400m whilst Isobel lost out badly to her sibling in the 100m ladies. Beeg Al put on a lung bursting show in the obstacle race which was only beaten by his performance for the Halkirk Select in the TOW competition.
Halkirk head to the Highland After a one year break, Halkirk will once again be represented in the National Tug of War Finals at the Highland show. The lads sealed their date with destiny at Cornhill Games where they came second to Lower Banff. The results of the round-robin competition saw Halkirk A beat Halkirk B, Echt, New Deer, Strichen and Turriff by 2 pulls to nil. A 1-1 draw with Mearns and a two nil loss to Lower Banff saw Halkirk meet Mearns in the semi-final. Knowing a victory ensured qualification to the Highland Show, the lads beat Mearns 2-0 to set up a final showdown with Lower Banff. However the Banffers proved too strong but with qualification secured, the Halkirk boys headed home happy. The B team lads put on a great display. They drew 1-1 with Echt and let every other team know they were there. The future is bright, the future is orange and black! A team - Alistair Budge,
Graeme Gunn, Bryan sinclair, Mark MacDonald, John Murray & Willie Budge
COACH MICHAEL MACGREGOR
Road to the East starts in Castletown Dreams of National glory were awakened once again as Halkirk took the District Football title. A side which included 3 survivors of Oban 2006 swept aside everything put in front of them. However, possibly their sternest test was in the preliminary round from a young Halkirk "A" team, ably captained by Hamish Coghill. A narrow one goal victory saw Halkirk "B" qualify for the semis along with Halkirk "C". The highlight of the semis was undoubtedly an in swinging corner from Andrew Gunn which found its way into the net. A goal fit to win any match. However a dreadful penalty from Budge and another nearly as bad saw the "C" team settle for a 3rd/4th playoff. The "B" boys then saw off Watten in the final to book their place at the Rally on the 9th of June as well as another date with destiny in the East Region next February, possibly in Arbroath or Dunfermline. The Halkirk ladies came a credible 2nd with a hard fought victory over Bower following defeat to Forss. Captain Fiona Swanson said she was pleases the girls' total football philosophy had paid off. The Teams Ladies Team - Fiona Swanson, Carolyn Coghill, Jade Baikie, Laura Gow & Natalie Blackwood. Sub - I Swanson
Halkirk A - Hamish Coghill (Captain), Mark MacDonald, Ali Miller, Ali
Budge & John Coghill
Preliminary Semi Finals Halkirk C 1 - 1 Watten Scorer - A Gunn (Watten won 4-3 on penalties) Penalty Scorers - M Gunn, A Gunn & Pottinger. Missed - Budge & Coghill Halkirk B 4 - 0 Forss Scorers - Gray 3, Rydell 3rd/4th Playoff - Halkirk C 4 - 0 Forss Scorers - Coghill, M Gunn, Budge 2 Final Halkirk A 3 - 0 Watten Scorers - Rydell 2, Gray
LADIES LEAGUE Halkirk 1 - 2 Forss , scorer
Baikie
Lads are SPOT ON in District Hockey The Halkirk A team of Hamish Coghill, Mark MacDonald, Ali Miller, Alistair Budge and Martin Gunn were triumphant following a tension filled penalty shootout after the final with Bower ended in stalemate. Alistair Budge and Mark MacDonald scored the all important penalties whilst Bower had both their attempts saved by Halkirk keeper, Budge who was a hero both attacking and between the sticks. Team Captain Hamish Coghill said afterwards that although his own performance was below par, his team had showed true grit and pride to win through on the night. He paid tribute to Martin Gunn for his all-action performances and named him his player of the tournament. Elsewhere the Halkirk Ladies team was already a member down in their semi final against Forss when "goalkeeper" Isobel Swanson had a "You've been framed" moment to allow Forss to take the lead. Another two goals saw Halkirk enter the 3rd/4th playoff against Bower. Unfortunately work commitments meant Halkirk were down to 3 girls but amazingly a superb angled drive from Jade Baikie saw the girls take 3rd place. The Halkirk B team in the Gents section secured a third place after defeating Forss 3-0 in the 3rd/4th playoff. Making up a "senior" looking team was Bryan Sinclair, Duncan Pottinger, Alan Macleod, George Coghill Jnr, Andrew Gunn and Willie Budge.
Spillers Cup retained by Halkirk Halkirk A retained the Spillers cup for District Stock Judging with the team of John Anderson, Angus Mowat and Bryan Sinclair. The silverware did not end there as Bryan also picked up the in Individual award as well.
A-Team are third at District Agri - Skills Halkirk came perilously close to causing an upset at the Agri-Skills as the Macleod's of Olgrinbeg teamed up with Alan Gow to make what chairman Bryan Sinclair described as the "dream" team. However the lads just missed out on the west Greenland trophy and had to settle for third place. Halkirk B were not far behind with a team consisting of John Coghill, Bryan Sinclair and Bob Sutherland. Events included Quad bike driving, setting a hand piece and a 1st Aid Quiz.
Coghill scoops Summer Stock Judging John Coghill showed his eye for stock as he won the Junior and Senior Club Summer Stock Judging. The event was held at Olrig Mains by kind permission of Messrs Morris and official judge was Mr G Henderson. Just behind John was veteran stock judger, Andrew Gunn, with relative newcomer Robert Sutherland in third. Runner up in the Junior event was noted stockman Angus Mowat with Alan Macleod of Olgrinbeg in third. The Ladies event saw Carolyn Coghill, the club vice-chair, follow in her brother's winter stock judging success, closely followed by Gail Sinclair.
Maiden voyage in Rugby Sevens Halkirk made their first appearance at the National Rugby Sevens in Linlithgow at the end of April. With a squad boasting an average age of 16 and a half, the lads put on a fine show and although they came away without a win, they did get the unofficial award for try of the competition, ably judged by their captain Hamish Coghill. Also gaining invaluable experience were Mark MacDonald, Gav Swanson, John Coghill, Alistair Budge, Sinclair Grant and Jack Cowan. The lads are looking forward to next years competition already!
Sinclair claims Club Member of Year The first results of the new Young farmer year were announced at the club AGM held on Tuesday 6th March 2007 in the Ross Institute. Based on participation and success in competitions ranging from club to National during 2006 and the start of 2007.Club chairman Bryan Sinclair added to his National success by being the runaway leader in the club competition. After scooping best senior male he also won the best overall award as well. Full list of winners is shown below:- Overall Best member - Bryan Sinclair Best Junior Female - MICHELLE MACDONALD, 2nd - Cheryl Henderson, 3rd Laura Gow Best Junior Male - JOHN ANDERSON, 2nd - John Coghill, 3rd - Gavin Swanson Best Senior Female - ISOBEL SWANSON, 2nd - Ellen Falconer, 3rd - Angela Sutherland Best Senior Male - BRYAN SINCLAIR, 2nd Alan Gow, 3rd - David Brewster
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