Roller derby players prepare for opening match

Orkney’s roller derby side, the Orkney ViQueens are preparing for their first-ever competitive match during this weekend’s sport.

The side is travelling to take on Inverness City in a historic moment for the county’s roller derby community.

Roller derby is a fast-paced contact sport involving teams of five skaters, with the aim of the sport being to score points by lapping players from the opposing side.

The side have been training hard since being founded at the start of 2017 in preparation for this first-ever match, held at the Inverness Academy Sports Centre on Saturday at 1pm.

The match will act as an important learning curve for the islanders as they focus on progressing the sport and their skills.

Susan Mackay, from the side, said: “As this is our first game as a full ViQueens team we are just going to have fun, enjoy the experience and build confidence in our team roles.”

In football, Thorfinn host Rovers and Isles United welcome Hotspurs in the Jolly Cup on Friday at 6.30pm, while Kirkwall Accies and Isles United contest the Pipedream Plumbing Oxy Cup Final at the Picky on Saturday at 3pm.

On Sunday, the Royal Hotel Thornley Binders Cup kicks off.

Flotta, Hoy and Walls host Stenness at 1pm, while, also at 1pm, Firth take on Parish Cup champions Birsay in Firth. An all-Stromness clash takes place at 4pm between the town’s parish and burgh sides, while at 6.45pm, Sandwick take on defending champions Rendall.

There is also a OYDG under-15 girls football weekend, with several visiting teams in attendance over Saturday and Sunday at Picky.

In running, the Kirkwall half-marathon takes place this weekend, starting at 11am on Sunday from Picky, while there is also equestrian showjumping and dressage on.