Sport / Sporting round-up 28 October
AN ISLES fencer has been selected to represent Scotland at an upcoming five nations competition in Northern Ireland.
Mhairi Gifford will take part in her first senior international event for the national team at Derry’s Foyle Arena on 16 November.
She said she was “really happy to be selected” to represent her country next month, adding: “It shows that all the hours of training are worthwhile”.
“Living in Shetland does have added challenges in getting to competitions and events, but I would like to thank my coach Phil Hibbert, all members of the Shetland Fencing Club and Brae and Sound School for allowing me the time off when required to be able to compete.
“This is my first senior international event, so I imagine the standard from the other four nations will be pretty high.
“It is also a team competition, so strategy and cohesion will come into play as well.”
Gifford said she will “not put too much pressure on myself with expectations” at her first senior event for Scotland.
“My only aim is to fence well and be confident on the day,” she said. “Again, it’s a team event so we will support each other to do our best.”
TWO Shetland footballers will be taking part in the third round of the Scottish Cup after this weekend’s action.
George Robesten – who is on loan from Ross County – will have the chance to walk out at Livingston’s Almondvale stadium next month after his side Brora Rangers advanced on Saturday.
Robesten started Saturday’s cup game against Formartine United on the bench, but was brought on before a late Colin Williamson header helped Brora come from a goal down to win 2-1.
Their reward is a trip to face Livingston, who were relegated from the Scottish Premiership in May after a six-year stint in the top flight.
Spencer Moreland, who grew up in Shetland before a move south to join the youth ranks of St Johnstone, is also in the hat for round three with current side Brechin City.
He started on Saturday for Brechin as they overcame Huntly 3-2 in a see-saw encounter which saw Huntly eventually reduced to nine men for two red cards.
Moreland now has the opportunity to face the so-called Blue Brazil, with his Brechin side travelling to Cowdenbeath on the weekend of 30 November.
Former Scalloway forward John Allan and his Turriff United teammates could not join Moreland and Robesten in round three of the cup, with Fraserburgh beating them 3-1 on Saturday.
In the North Caledonian league, goalkeeper Henry Oldbury helped Golspie Sutherland secure their sixth win from the opening eight games.
He started the match as Golspie overcame Thurso 2-1 on the road, with the team in fourth place and locked on 18 points with both Invergordon and Inverness Athletic.
Fellow keeper Katie Anderson was also on the winning side on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet between the sticks for new side Dryburgh Athletic.
Dryburgh also move in to fourth in the table, in the Scottish Women’s Championship, after a 2-0 home win over Stenhousemuir.
SHETLAND Valkyries edged to a narrow away victory to continue their perfect start to the new women’s rugby campaign.
Valkyries beat Highland RFC 15-7 on the road on Saturday, making it four wins from four so far for the reigning champions.
EVAN Goudie walked away from the oche with the first grand prix trophy of the Shetland darts season this weekend.
Fifty nine players descended on the Whitedale Social Club on Saturday night for the Hughson Brothers shield, with inter-county ranking points on offer as well as the glory.
The quarter-finals saw Liam Sutherland (Delting Boating Club) beat John Philip Sandison (Whalsay) 4-3, Goudie (Posties) defeat Ryan Inkster 4-1 (MegaDerts), Tommy Williamson (Bar Stewards) beat Keith Hay (Delting Boating Club) 4-2 and finally Kyle Tait (Sandwick Arrows) beat Roger Irvine (Whalsay) 4-1.
The two semi-finals were played over the best of nine legs. Goudie progressed to the final after a 5-4 victory over Sutherland, with Williamson joining him after a 5-2 victory over Tait.
The final was played over the best of 11 legs and saw Goudie twice move two legs in front, before Williamson levelled it at 4-4.
But Goudie held his nerve to win the next two and secure a 6-4 victory for his first grand prix victory.
The highest checkout on the night went to Stuart Paul, who finished 143, with no less than 14 players hitting at least one 180 during the competition.
If you have any sporting stories you want included in our weekly round-up, email them to news@shetnews.co.uk by 2pm every Monday.
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