Orkney and Shetland to battle for famed Stuart Cup

The annual battle for the Stuart Cup returns this weekend, as one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year takes place.

The 71st junior inter-county between Orkney and Shetland sees the counties young athletes compete in five sports — athletics, hockey, swimming, football and netball.

The athletics will begin the weekend’s action at 11am on Saturday at the Picky Centre, while the hockey will round off day one, starting from 6pm.

Swimming starts Sunday off at 10am, while football is at 1pm and finally netball will end the competition at 4pm.

It is set for an exhilarating two days of close competition, with Orkney aiming to avenge last year’s nail-biting defeat in Shetland.

Stay tuned to The Orcadian website, Facebook and Twitter pages for regular updates, photos and videos throughout the weekend.

Meanwhile, there will also be inter-county action on Orkney’s motocross tracks, with Orkney Motocross Club welcoming Shetland and Caithness.

Two days of racing will take place at Heddle Hill in Finstown, with both days starting at 10am.

Four Orkney football teams are in Highland Amateur Cup action, with defending champions Avoch travelling to face Isles United. Kick-off in that one is at 12.15pm at KGS.

At the Bignold, Rovers face cup heavyweights Pentland United at 1pm, while Kirkwall sides Hotspurs and Thorfinn travel across the Pentland Firth to face John O’Groats and Wick Thistle.