Will is back, and not a minute too soon as this week sees a bumper episode of Balls & Whistles! We kick off this week's show with a look at the Loch Ness Marathon, which is back for the first time in two years after the pandemic forced its cancellation last year, where over 7500 runners will be taking part in the Festival of Running.

For the SPFL teams, it is a similar story to previous episodes. Inverness Caledonian Thistle are still unbeaten at the top of the Championship, and Ross County are still looking for their first win in the Premiership - but are we at the point in the season where Caley Thistle fans can dream of the title and Staggies supporters should be worried?

Nairn County certainly are worried after drawing 3-3 with Fort William midweek, keeping them near the bottom of the Highland League. Ronnie Sharp has a job on his hands at Station Park, as does Clachnacuddin with table toppers Fraserburgh heading to Grant Street, while Brora Rangers are putting in their final preparations for the North of Scotland Cup final.

It has also been a busy week in women's football. Clach Women are gearing up for their own cup final against Sutherland in the Highlands and Islands Cup, a week after ICT Development took the league crown from them. ICT's senior squad lived up to the hype of making their Caledonian Stadium debut last time out too, beating Grampian 12-2.

Kinlochshiel made history last month with their first ever Camanachd Cup victory, but can they complete the set and add a second trophy to their collection in 2021? Caberfeidh will be desperately hoping to stop them to reach the final of the MacTavish Cup themselves if they can shore up their defence. There's also just enough time for a brief rundown of Highland, Ross Sutherland and Inverness Craig Dunain Rugby Club's fixtures this weekend.

If you like what you're hearing please rate and review Balls & Whistles to help other people find us, and why not get in touch with questions or feedback on Twitter (@Balls_Whistles) or by emailing ballsandwhistles@hnmedia.co.uk, and thanks as always are due to Forest Fires for our theme song: Scared of the Dark.

Scott Allardice speaking after Caley Thistle's Scottish Cup 2-1 defeat at St Mirren

Balls & WhistlesBy Highland News and MediaApr 17, 2021