Friday - Sports Video of the Week

U15 Girls North of Scotland Schools cup final

U15 Girls North of Scotland Schools cup final: The Nicolson Institute 1 v 0 Mintlaw Academy

The recently crowned Scottish Champions, the Nicolson Institute U15 Girls’ football team took to the field again last week with the second final of their campaign, this time competing for the North of Scotland Schools cup. Their opponents once again were Mintlaw Academy – the same team that they played in the final of the Scottish Cup. This is the first time that the same two teams from the North of Scotland have played in the final of the Scottish Cup and the North of Scotland in the same year and with the Nicolson girls having the psychological edge over Mintlaw, the scene was set for another epic final between the top two schools in Scotland.

The Nicolson girls set their stall out in the opening minutes of the game with a blistering run down the left wing from Beth ‘the bolt’ Macleod but her cross into the box was dealt with by the Mintlaw defence and the ball was cleared. Within minutes, Macleod on the left wing made another mazy run down the wing and managed to dance her way to the bye line before pulling the ball back into the path of Lorna Latimir but her shot was blocked and the keeper scooped the ball out of danger. The opening minutes of the game saw attack after attack from Beth Macleod and the Mintlaw defence were struggling to keep up with the pacey winger. The Nicolson girls were the stronger team in the first twenty minutes of the game and the partnership of Isabelle Bain and Nicole Maclean in the middle of the park was too hot to handle for the Mintlaw midfield. Amy Macleod on the right wing was also causing problems for the Mintlaw defence with her tireless running and chasing every ball. The first clear cut chance of the match came to the Nicolson girls when Isabelle Bain played a superb 15 yard reverse pass through the midfield and through the Mintlaw defence to land at the feet of Latimir up front. Latimir burst through and with only the keeper to beat, her thunderbolt shot hit the keeper, who knew nothing about it, and bounced into the path of the back tracking defender. This was a real wake up call for Mintlaw and it seemed to spur them into action and they then began to put more pressure on the Nicolson team. Mintlaw had their own chance minutes later when their pacey forward burst through the Nicolson defence but the ever sharp Cirsty Gillies in goals came powering out of her box to close the player down and she blocked the shot from point blank range. Mintlaw continued to put the pressure on the Nicolson team but the defence, superbly marshalled by the captain, Eleanor Smith continued to close the ball down and pressurise Mintlaw into mistakes. The game sparked into a frenzy in the last two minutes of the half when the Nicolson girls were awarded a stone wall penalty after Kirsty Macdonald was pole axed inside the box after displaying a fantastic first touch which her opponent could not match. Nicole Maclean stepped up to the take spot kick to give the Nicolson a deserved lead but her shot careered off the underside of the bar and into the keeper’s hands. Half time and 0-0.

The second half began as the first half had ended with the Nicolson girls on the attack and taking the game to Mintlaw. The midfield continued to pile the pressure on Mintlaw with their pin point passing and lung bursting runs off the ball. Beth Macleod and Amy Macleod playing on the left and right wing continued to create chances for the Nicolson but the Mintlaw defence stood strong and were proving difficult to break down. Mintlaw also continued to create their own chances but the Nicolson back four of Amy Shirkie, Peigi Ann Scott, Amanda Nicolson and Eleanor Smith stood strong and the continued to frustrate the Mintlaw strike force with their resolute defending. The break through for the Nicolson finally came with fifteen minutes to go when Kirsty Macdonald played the ball through to Latimir up front and the powerhouse striker burst through and with the onrushing keeper closing her down, she coolly lobbed the ball over the keeper from 22 yards out – a fantastic finish worthy to win any cup final. The Nicolson girls had finally broken the deadlock and got the goal that they deserved. With time running out, the Mintlaw girls started to throw everything but the kitchen sink at the Nicolson girls but each and every attack was thwarted by the solid defence which continued to be marshalled excellently by Smith and Gillies. Mintlaw were awarded a free kick 30 yards out with minutes to go and with their powerful defender stepping up to take the direct free kick, it was a tense moment as a goal at this point would take the game into penalties. The free kick came into the box and Gillies shouted loudly for the ball and claimed the ball in the air and then blasted it up the field and out of danger. The Nicolson girls continued to press hard until the final whistle and when the referee finally called a halt to play, the Nicolson girls were jubilant in their celebrations. The Nicolson team were worthy winners of this final and team captain, Eleanor Smith, stepped up to collect the cup for the Nicolson girls. It has been a historic year for the Nicolson U15 girls’ team and they have concluded their season with the cup double: Scottish champions and North of Scotland champions – well done to the girls.

Team: Cirsty Gillies, Eleanor Smith (capt), Amanda Nicolson, Peigi A Scott, Amy Shirkie, Beth Macleod, Kirsty Macdonald, Isabelle Bain, Nicole Maclean, Amy Macleod, Lorna Latimir, Kathryn Macmillan, Rachael Macleod.

Rural School Sports

The Nicolson has entered a number of teams into the Rural School Sports which takes place on the track at Smith Avenue on Monday. Good luck to all those taking part against Schools from all across the Western Isles.

S2

Julie MacLeod
Eilidh Reid
Katie Morrison
Catriona Ferguson
Koren Pickering


Luke MacKay
Dean Drummond
Kenneth Campbell
Lewis MacKay
Katie MacInnes
Caitlyn MacLeod
Freya MacLeod
Sian MacKay

Kirsty Baird
Eilidh MacLeod (S2)
Rebecca Crichton
Sarah MacKay
Jonathon Fairgreave
Andrew Horne
Daniel Duffy
Lewis MacDonald

Iona MacLeod
Claire MacLeod
Yulia Lisowska
Emma MacRae
Danielle MacKenzie
Angus MacDonald
Jonathon Morrison
Hugh McKenzie
Mark MacKinnon
Andrew MacIver
Calum MacKay

S3

Helen Mackay
Amy Hutchison
Lorna Scanlan
Chloe Murray
Lauren Wallace
David Campbell
Alasdair Rigby
Ryan MacSween
Calum Nicolson

Alison MacAskil
Abbie MacKay
Kirsty Thomson
Kirsty MacDonald
Lauren Melville
Ross MacTaggart
Michael MacMillan
Connor MacIver
Jonathon MacDonald
Kyle MacLeod

North Schools Athletics Championships

The North Schools Athletics Championships were held in Queens Park, Inverness on Wednesday 6th June. The Nicolson sent a small group of athletes to the event and came back with 11 medals and a host of Personal Bests:

Gold
Connor MacLean 1500m
Jenny MacTaggart Long Jump
Abbie MacKay 100m
Alasdair Rigby 100m

Silver
Abbie MacKay Long Jump and 200m
Alasdair Rigby 200m
Jenny MacTaggart 100m
Connor MacLean Javelin

Bronze
Jenny MacTaggart 200m
Eilidh MacLeod 100m

The athletes, (all members of srac) performed well in their respective events. Amy Hutchison and Andrew Horne both PB'd in their 100m and 200m getting to the final in both events, as did Alasdair Rigby, Abbie MacKay and Eilidh MacLeod. Connor MacLean and Michael MacMillan peformed well in a 1500m final which included boys from the A and B category. Eilidh MacLeod was also involved in a strong High Jump, she equalled her season's best in an event which was won in an impressive 1m 45cm. Freya MacLeod put together a good sequence of jumps in her long jump final, she'll have another year at this age group along with Eilidh.

Well done to all athletes on what was a very successful trip, your performance on and off the track was excellent and a credit to the school. Preparation for next year starts now.

Friday - Sports Video of the Week

Enjoy.

SENIOR GIRLS NORTH OF SCOTLAND SCHOOLS CUP FINAL

NICOLSON INSTITUTE 2  MINTLAW ACADEMY 0

The teams met on 6^th of June in a repeat of last year’s final which the Nicolson won 4-2. It was clear that once again the two teams were evenly matched and that no quarter would be asked or given. Alicia Macsween was the first to find this out when she was bundled to the ground in the second minute for a free kick. This seemed to spur on Macsween who caused the Mintlaw defence major problems with her devastating pace in the first half. She came close with shots in  the 5^th  and 11^th minutes before hitting the  post after 20 mins.

It was by no means one way traffic as Mintlaw blasted the ball over the bar from a corner which had the  Nicolson defence scrambling. The girls had another scare after a wicked bounce sent the ball over Sarah Gillies in goal. This provided the most nerve wracking and entertaining moment of the game as the goalie raced back and performed a kind of keepie uppie with her fist before clutching the ball on the goal line to perform an incredible reflexive save.

As the half progressed the Nicolson midfield began to dominate with Heather Black’s fierce tackling dovetailing well with Christie Houston’s heading and passing. Houston was starting to effectively pass the ball wide to Macsween and Rhoda Maclennan who in turn were giving the Mintlaw full backs a torrid time. The breakthrough came in 31 minutes when Jodie Sinclair who had been drafted in after a late call off ran on to  an inch perfect through ball from Hannah Macleod and slotted the ball past the despairing Mintlaw keeper. Jodie’s instructions were to play off the last defender. She fulfilled this role magnificently and was a constant  threat for the stretched Mintlaw defence. Just before half time Louise Stewart sent 35 yard free kick fizzing past the post.

HALF TIME   NICOLSON INSTITUTE 1   MINTLAW 0

Mintlaw started the second half strongly but the Nicolson defence was well marshalled by captain Louise Stewart who made sure no one was going past the last defender. Kathleen Mackay ensured the main Mintlaw striker was given little space in the centre and fullbacks Annabel Maclennan and Mairi Graham were strong in the tackle and played the ball effectively down the flanks or into midfield when space and time allowed. Graham was put under pressure but cleared her lines after a ruckus on the edge of the Nicolson penalty area. Soon after Mintlaw had another good chance but once again blasted the ball high. After this the Nicolson girls took control and the opposition were denied further chances. Macleod came close when she hit the inside of the post but it was Sinclair who rounded off an excellent performance with a stunning volley to give the  Nicolson a degree of comfort in the closing stages. Ella Macaulay came on in the second half and helped maintain the high tempo the girls had set.  Sammy Mitchell and Eilidh Macinnes also came on towards the end to make their contribution and round off a disciplined and polished performance from the senior team. Sarah Gillies, Louise Stewart and Rhoda Maclennan were making their final appearances for the school and did so in style. They know what it is like to be beaten by a top Mintlaw team and have clearly enjoyed beating their old rivals these past two years.

The game was played in a sporting fashion by both teams. The Nicolson have now won this trophy an incredible 8 times out of 13 attempts. Well done to all the girls and thanks to the parents who came to support the team.

NICOLSON TEAM- S. Gillies, M. Graham, L. Stewart (Capt.), K. Mackay, A. Maclennan, R. Maclennan, C. Houston, A. Macsween, H. Macleod, J. Sinclair   Subs- E. MacAulay, S. Mitchell, E. Macinnes, H Black

S5-6 Individual Athletic Champion Rules

S5-6  Individual Athletic Champion Rules

The categories are as follows for individuals:

Senior Male – S5/6 pupils, Senior Female – S5/6 pupils.

Pupils must participate in 5 of the 11 events available to have a chance to become the individual champion. The minimum 5 events must be one of the following combinations 4 field and 1 track or 3 field and 2 track or 2 field and 3 track or 1 field and 4 track.

You only score points if you make the final of the event, if there are more than 6 entries in the event there will be a trial to get the 6 finalists in each category.

The points are scored as follows:

1^st = 6 points, 2^nd = 5 points, 3^rd = 4 points, 4^th = 3 points, 5^th = 2 points, 6^th = 1 point.

5 chosen events from the 11 available would mean a maximum of 30 points could be scored. 5 x 1^st place = 5 x 6 points = total 30 points.

In the event of a tie the pupil with the most 1^st places will be the winner, then 2^nd places and so on.

• All pupils must put there name, class and tick the 5 events they wish to participate in.
• No pupil will be allowed to go to the trial if they have not entered on the sheet. This is because the trials and finals will be held in class time over the coming week or so and participants for each event will have their names e-mailed to staff so they know who has permission to be out of class the specific period on a specific day.
• Appropriate kit must be worn to the trials and the final or you will be sent back to class.
• Pupils will gain a point for their ‘House’ for every event they enter.
• A selection of the finals (1 track event for each category tbc) will be held at the S5/6 Interhouse Sports Day, Wednesday 20^th June.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES – end of school Friday 8^th June

S5-6 Pentathlon Athletic Champion Rules

S5-6  Pentathlon Athletic Champion Rules

The categories are as follows for individuals:

Senior Male – S5/6 pupils, Senior Female – S5/6 pupils.

Male events – 100M Hurdles, 200M, 1500M, Long Jump, Shot Putt.

Female events – 100M Hurdles, 800M, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Putt.

Pupils must participate in the above 5 events to have a chance to become the Individual Pentathlon Champion. The Pentathlon will run at the same time as the Individual Athletic Champion events. For example if you plan to enter the above 5 events in the Individual then they will count for the Pentathlon, if you enter 4 of the above events in the Individual then you will need to enter the 5^th event to have a chance of winning the event.

You only score points if you make the final of the event, if there are more than 6 entries in the event there will be a trial to get the 6 finalists in each category.

The points are scored as follows:

1^st = 6 points, 2^nd = 5 points, 3^rd = 4 points, 4^th = 3 points, 5^th = 2 points, 6^th = 1 point.

5 events would mean a maximum of 30 points could be scored. 5 x 1^st place = 5 x 6 points = total 30 points.

In the event of a tie the pupil with the most 1^st places will be the winner, then 2^nd places and so on.

• All pupils must put there name, class and tick the events they wish to participate in.
• No pupil will be allowed to go to the trial if they have not entered on the sheet. This is because the trials and finals will be held in class time over the coming week or so and participants for each event will have their names e-mailed to staff so they know who has permission to be out of class the specific period on a specific day.
• Appropriate kit must be worn to the trials and the final or you will be sent back to class.
• Pupils will gain a point for their ‘House’ for every event they enter.
• A selection of the finals (1 track event for each category tbc) will be held at the S5/6 Interhouse Sports Day, Wednesday 20^th June.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES – end of school Friday 8^th June