Two narrow defeats for Orkney in JIC

Shetland head into tomorrow’s inter-county action with a four point lead over Orkney after two very close victories in the athletics and netball in the 69th junior inter-county.

A record-breaking run in the final athletics event of the day — the 4 x 100m girls’ relay — sealed a thrilling 47.5-49.5 victory, before Shetland’s netballers won by another two point margin 23-25.

This means that Orkney trail their rivals 70.5-74.5 going into the final day of action tomorrow.

Kicking off 2016’s action, the athletics could have hardly been closer, with the destination of the cup not known until the final race. It would be Shetland who were celebrating at the end though as the girls’ relay side set a junior inter-county record, winning in 50.3 seconds — a second quicker than the previous record set by Orkney last year.

In one of the highlights of the day, Orkney’s Amy Davis also wrote her name into the record books, equalling Sarah MacPhail’s high jump record of 1.60m.

In the netball, Orkney led 7-5 at the end of the first quarter, before Shetland turned it around to get their noses in front 12-15 at half-time. It would be a lead they wouldn’t let slip as they pipped Orkney to glory.

Sunday’s action will start in the Pickaquoy swimming pool at 10.30am, before the hockey players do battle at 1pm. The final event of 2016’s competition will see the footballers take to the Pickaquoy infield pitch at 4pm.