Sport

 PAUL Mapplebeck, of the Highland Budokan Club, won silver at the Midlands under-18 open championships in Wolverhampton on 18th March. Fighting in the Under-18 kilo category, he was the only medallist out of the six-strong Highland team.

MERKINCH  Soccer 7s team were one of 16 from Inverness  at the Safeway Soccer Sevens Festival at Inverness  Sports Centre on Saturday 24th March.

CYCLE champion Roddy Riddle, who runs the bike shop in Grant Street along with his brother Kenny, is well known for his prowess on two wheels, having competed at Commonwealth Games level for Great Britain. But recently he proved that his skills also extend to four wheels when he won a Scalextric “grand prix” challenge at Chilli Palmers.

INVERNESS High School Girls recently won the Soccer 5s tournament at Ross County’s astro-turf pitch at Dingwall, beating Ullapool 1-0 in the final. The team, which includes Merkinch players, was due to go on to the Scottish finals in Perth on 31st March.