Friday - Sports Video of the Week

We had part one of the story a few months ago, here's part two:

S1-3 Sports Day

What a fantastic day we had yesterday for sports day. Fun was had by all pupils and staff with everyone particpating well in track races, fun field events and tug of war. Participation was awarded with points for the various houses. Congratulations to Addison who won the overall house competition just holding off Sutherland.

Yesterday we also witnessed some of the finals of the individual sports championships. Congratulations to all those taking part and to the medalists across the various year group competitions:

S1/2 Girls
1st Abbie MacKay
2nd Eilidh MacLeod
3rd Freya MacLeod

S1/2 Boys
Alisdair Rigby
Angus MacDonald
Andrew Horne

S3 Girls
Amanda Nicolson
Lorna Latimir
Kara Hanlon

S3 Boys
Daniel Amor
Paul Finlayson
Owen Inger-Gray

S1 Boys Team vs Senior Girls Monday 28/5

The following boys have been selected to play against the senior girls tomorrow after school 21/5.

Rory Morrison
James Muir
Dean Drummond
Lewis MacAlpine
Lewis Cummings
Finlay MacSween
Lewis MacDonald
Angus MacDonald
Hugh McKenzie
Luke MacKay
David MacRitchie
Daniel Duffy
Michael Clark

Friday - Sports Video of the Week

Here's a couple of sports videos to keep you going this weekend.




It's a shame this shot didn't go in, great effort though.

Women's Cancer Challenge 5km 2012

On Saturday 19th May 12pm the Women's Cancer Challenge 5km 2012 will take place in Lews Castle College. We are hoping to get as many girls (pupils and teachers) as we can from the school to do it. The event is for anyone S1 or aboveIts just over 3 miles and you can run, jog or walk the course.

Tony Wade who is organising the event says that pupils wishing to enter can either pay the £10 entry fee or instead get £10 or more sponsorship for completing the course. Pupils will not have to pay £10 entry fee and raise additional sponsorship money for completing the event.

Entry forms for the event are available from Mr MacCorquodale in the PE Department.

Friday - Sports Video of the Week

Epic Catch...

Nicolson vs Mintlaw Scottish Schools Final Report

On a beautiful sunny day at the Inverness Caley Thistle Stadium, The Nicolson Institute U15 Girls’ football team were aiming to make history by becoming the first school from a Scottish Island to win this national competition. Their opponents were arch rivals Mintlaw Academy from Aberdeenshire. This was the first time in the competition’s history that two teams from the North of Scotland were competing in the Scottish Shield final and both teams had their sights set on victory.

The sun was shining, the pitch was in good condition and the supporters who had travelled out with the Nicolson team in the morning were in good voice – the scene was set for what was to become an epic final.

The Nicolson girls started briskly and were on the attack in the first minute. A driving run down the wing from Beth Macleod sent alarm bells ringing in the Mintlaw defence and gave them a taster of what was to follow for the entire game. A low cross into the box was met by Sophie Macaskill who managed to swivel round to get her shot away but it was straight into the keeper’s path and she gathered the ball well. The Nicolson girls continued to attack the Mintlaw box through some brilliant running from Beth Macleod and Kirsty Macdonald down the wings but the Mintlaw defence were strong and Latimar and Macaskill were being crowed out in the box at every opportunity. Fifteen minutes into the game saw the first corner of the game awarded to the Nicolson and Beth Macleod stood to line up a left footed in swinger. Isabelle Bain caught the Mintlaw defence napping when she burst out of the box towards Macleod to play a short corner and this work superbly well with Macleod who was able to play a one-two with Bain and whip a dangerous ball into the box which narrowly missed the lunging foot of Latimar and the ball was cleared by Mintlaw. This was a well worked set piece, straight off the training ground and the Nicolson girls were unlucky not to score. The Nicolson girls continued to press the Mintlaw defence and some direct running though the centre of the park from Bain and Nicole Maclean caused problems for their opponents and the quick, crisp passing from the Nicolson girls showed just why they deserved their place in the show piece final.  Despite the sustained pressure from the Nicolson girls, the Mintlaw defence stood strong with the centre back having an excellent game and closing out the threat of Latimar and Macaskill. The Nicolson girls continued to press their opponents and despite chances in the box from Latimar, Macaskill, Maclean and Macleod, they couldn’t make the break through. Mintlaw started coming into the game towards the end of the half and got their first corner of the game with ten minutes to go. The ball came into the box with pace but the impressive Cirsty Gillies in goal came charging off her line and jumped high above her opponent’s to gather the ball safely in her hands and relieve the danger.  The remainder of the half saw both teams with lots of possession in the middle of the park but unable to breach either defence. The end of the first half beckoned and both teams were relieved to hear the sound of the referee’s whistle for their well earned break. The Nicolson girls had a slight edge over their opponent’s in the first half but there was still all to play for at 0-0.

The second half started just as the first had ended with the Nicolson girls immediately on the attack with a defence splitting pass from Maclean straight to the feet of Macaskill but once again she was stopped in her tracks by the impressive Mintlaw centre back and the ball was cleared up the pitch. The Mintlaw midfield were coming more and more into the game and soon began to cause problems for the Nicolson defence with their direct running and their crosses into the box. Gillies in goals was having an excellent game and took full command of the box area. Eleanor Smith at the back was marshalling her defence well and any balls coming through were soon cleared by the solid centre back. Amanda Nicolson at left back showed great pace to keep the Mintlaw winger at bay and she continued to block every pass and cross that her counterpart attempted to play. In the 55^th minute of the game, another defence splitting pass from Maclean saw Macaskill clean through on goal only to be called offside – a very close call indeed. Minutes later, Latimar caused panic in the Mintlaw defence with her strong and direct running and her shot from just inside the box was saved comfortably by the keeper.  The Nicolson girls continued to press and looked for that winning goal but the Mintlaw defence were standing strong.  The large pitch and the searing heat began to take its toll with the right midfield Mintlaw player going down with cramp. Mintlaw were the first team to make any changes and they sent on a fresh pair of legs to try and make the difference in what was a very tight game. The game was balanced precariously and both teams fought furiously for the remaining ten minutes with Minltaw creating more chances and putting the Nicolson rear guard under intense pressure. The back four of Amy Shirkie, Eleanor Smith, Amy Macleod and Amanda Nicolson were holding on and were managing to close out the threat of the Mintlaw onslaught. The powerful Mintlaw strike force were unlucky to see a rasping shot from the edge of the box go just over the bar and in the final minutes of the game, Mintlaw earned themselves a corner. The in swinging corner dropped straight to a Mintlaw player who managed to poke the ball goal wards. The ball was goal ward bound but Amy Shirkie threw herself towards the ball and managed to deflect the ball onto the post which Smith then cleared up the other end of the pitch. It was a heart stopping moment for the Nicolson girls but they had managed to hold on. The final whistle then blew to signal the end of the match at 0-0 and it was now straight to penalties.

After a few minutes’ rest, the girls then make their way to the centre circle for the heart wrenching decider. This was it, the Scottish Shield final to be decided on penalties. The penalties proved to be equally as tight as the game itself and there was little to separate the two teams. With Mintlaw missing their third penalty it was up to the Nicolson to slot their fifth and final penalty away to be crowned the champions of Scotland but the shot hammered off the crossbar to take it into sudden death.  The tension was unbearable for both teams and with two more missed penalties from Mintlaw and one from the Nicolson, it was up to penalty taker number 10 Amy Shirkie to step up and send her team into jubilant celebration.  Amy coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal and the Nicolson were now crowned Scottish champions.  It was an epic end to a well fought out final.  Eleanor Smith, captain and player of the match stepped forward to receive the Shield from the Scottish Schools FA President Rod Houston to the jubilant cheers of the Nicolson team and their travelling support.

“I am so proud of the girls and what they have achieved. We have scored 39 goals and only conceded 3 in this competition and have travelled over 1000 miles up and down the country fulfilling each of our fixtures. Our last two games were particularly tough and it says a lot about our girls that they can hold their own against teams with Scottish Internationals and Club players. It once again highlights the talent of our young people when they can achieve success such as this on a national level, and we as a school are exceptionally proud of these girls.”

Kara Hanlon Smashes PBs in Aberdeen

Kara Hanlon S3 had another phenomenal weekend in the pool and the Westhill Invitational Meet. She had a very busy schedule over two days of tough competition. Kara remarkably bettered many of her personal bests (pbs) over a variety of strokes and distances. Here's how Kara's busy weekend went:

Saturday
200m Freestyle 2.20.68 (2 second pb)
100m Breaststroke heat 1.14.84 (pb)
50m Butterfly 34.00 (pb)
200m Breaststroke 2.42.71 (5 second pb)
100m Breaststroke Final 1.15.81 Bronze medal!

Sunday
50m Breaststroke Heat 35.16 (pb)
100m Butterfly Heat 1.15.43 (pb)
50m Breaststroke Final 34.77 (pb and Silver medal!)
100m Butterfly Final 1.15.48 (5th place)

Congratulations to Kara, her performances are down to hard work in the pool every week and to traveling to competitions on the mainland to compete against the best swimmers in the country.

Friday - Sports Video of the Week

There can only be one contender this week and that is the BBC Alba highlights of the Scottish Schools Junior Girls Final winning team.

Skip to 24 mins 06 secs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01gw4fy/An_La_03_05_2012/

Scottish Champions!

This Thursday sees a massive day for the Junior Girls Football team and their coach Miss MacLeod who are playing Mintlaw Academy in the Final of the Scottish Schools Shield. The girls have been performing incredibly well, beating teams from up and down the country. Here's how the girls got to the final:

Rd 1 Webster's High School 0 - 10 Nicolson Institute
Rd 2 Arbroath Academy 1 - 13 Nicolson Insitute
Rd 3 Nicolson Institute 7 - 0 Forfar Academy
Rd 4 Oban High School 0 - 4 Nicolson Institute
SF Nicolson Institute 5 - 2 Greenwood Academy

Thursday's game will be in Inverness Caley Thistle's ground. Miss MacLeod has put together profiles on all players in the squad. Everyone at the Nicolson wishes the girls and Miss Macleod all the best for the Final, which kicks off at 1p.m. Stay tuned on the blog for twitter updates on the game, please send good luck messages to @NicolsonSports

Cirsty Gillies – The Goalie: Outstanding between the sticks, she takes command of her box and gets everyone organised at corners and free kicks. Cirsty made a super save in the semi final to keep the team in the game. Amazing at coming off her line quickly and almost plays as a sweeper at times. Takes great enthusiasm to the game and is reliable between the sticks.

Eleanor Smith – Centre Back and Captain: Everything you look for in a centre back; Eleanor has pace, power and awesome strength. She never shirks a tackle and has been known to boot her own players out of the way to clear the ball! A great leader and organiser on the pitch and has a secret weapon – the longest throw in ever. Can also play a 30 yarder pass out of defence to feet with pin point accuracy.

Amanda Nicolson – Left Back: Amanda will never be out run by her opponent. One of the quickest players on the pitch, Amanda can track back better than a GPS. Great on the ball and knows how to find a player in space. Can also be a danger when she breaks forward with her mazy runs.

Amy Shirkie – Right Back: Has composure on the ball that can’t be measured. Amy knows how to keep the game simple and always picks out the right pass. Great decision making and sticks tight to her opponent and doesn’t give them an inch. Great at playing the ball out of defence to begin the next attack.

Beth Macleod – Left Midfield: Beth ‘the bolt’ Macleod is pure pace.  She has single handedly ripped defences to shreds with her Gareth Bale style runs and has scored some beauties.  An out and out left winger she has pace, touch, great feet and a thunderbolt shot. Look out Mintlaw Goalie – stop one of these shots and you might come out the back of the net.

Kirsty Macdonald – Right Midfield: ‘Wee Kirsty’ is our only S2 in the team but she soon shows her opponents that she’s no push over. The feistiest member of the team, Kirsty never lets her opponents have one over on her. She has great feet and can spot a pass. Mobile, great first touch and determination in bucketfuls – you can’t teach that!

Isabelle Bain – Centre Midfield:  Isabelle is the engine room of the team – she runs miles in a game working from box to box and she has a great level of fitness. Isabelle has a great first touch, great feet and can split a defence with her pin point passing. Most of all, she has a football brain and you can’t teach that either! She was instrumental in minimising the threat from midfield in the semi final – they didn’t have a look in. She has also scored two half volleys from the edge of the box.

Nicole Maclean – Centre Midfield: Twinkle toes Maclean has run rings around her opponents. Her twisting and turning gives her the space to find that killer pass. She has pace, strength and skill and another secret weapon – an enormous throw in. Rory Delap eat your heart out.  Nicole has the skill to beat two or three defenders at once and has scored several goals this season. Has the responsibility for free kicks and penalties.

Amy Macleod – Defence and Midfield: Amy is our versatile player – has played right midfield and centre back. She is a player that will slot into any position and has the skill to adapt easily. Not one to shirk her responsibilities, Amy always gets stuck in and never gives up. She has great pace and when she is playing in midfield, she runs the wing with ease and can cross in from the right with accuracy. She was played out of position in the semi final but she still had a stormer – her opponent’s didn’t get an inch.

Lorna Latimar – Striker: Lorna is a goal machine. Top goal scorer this season she has scored goals for fun. She has awesome pace, strength and agility and she terrorises her opponents with her direct running.  She has a thunder bolt shot which leaves the Goalie quivering in her boots. Once she is through on goal, she rarely misses. Reliable, hard working and she has that striker’s instinct.

Sophie Macaskill – Striker: Sophie is quick, direct and the partnership with Latimar this season has been instrumental in our success. The two of them combined have ripped other teams to shreds and with 39 goals in the competition, these two have accounted for most of these. Never one to give up on a lost cause, Sophie will always close down her opponents and hurry them into a mistake. She has a great burst of pace and scored the quickest goal of our season in the semi final. She has an instinct for goal and rarely squanders her chances.

Kathryn Macmillan (Defence): Kathryn is quick and has a great ability to move into space and look for the ball. She has been played out of position for most of the year but she has adapted well and always looks to play the simple pass. She is good at marking up and rarely lets her opponent out of sight. Has great determination and spirit.

Peigi Ann Scott (Defence):Peigi Ann has a great right foot and can play a pin point pass out of defence to ease the pressure on the team. She never lets her opponent have space or time on the ball and hurries them into making an error with her tight marking. Peigi Ann holds her position well and always keeps good shape at the back.