Camanachd Cup final on Saturday
THE TULLOCH Homes Camanachd cup final between Lovat and Newtonmore takes place on Saturday at the Bught Park, Inverness, with a 2pm throw-up. The match is being televised live on BBC 2 Scotland.
Meanwhile, after last Saturday’s results, Kinlochshiel moved into pole position in the Marine Harvest Premiership title race, Caberfeidh and Fort William continue to battle it out for the second Marine Harvest National Division promotion spot, Lochside Rovers are within touching distance of the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title and the Newtonmore seconds were presented with the North Division 1 trophy.
Marine Harvest Premiership Kinlochshiel 4 Kyles Athletic 0
Shinty’s match of the day was the meeting between the Premiership’s top two teams, Kinlochshiel and Kyles Athletic at Kirkton.
Kinlochshiel have already had to give up home advantage in two of their recent league fixtures – against Glasgow Mid Argyll and Glenurquhart – and manager Johnston Gill made it clear his charges would not do so again for this crucial clash.
Match referee John Angus Gillies inspected the park on Friday lunchtime and ruled it playable, Kinlochshiel club officials monitored the situation carefully with further inspections on Friday evening and Saturday morning ahead of Kyles’ early morning departure from Tighnabruaich.
With just one more league match each remaining after this encounter, the sides were level on points with Kyles just in front on goal difference.
Kinlochshiel were along usual lines with Scott MacLean starting and Duncan ‘DA’ MacRae at wing centre.
Kyles Athletic boss James Perlich was without Roddy MacDonald, who served the second match of a two-game suspension. Callum Miller, returning from injury, took a place on the bench alongside Dunkie Kerr, Innes MacDonald and Rupert Williamson. Donald Irvine had recovered from a knock sustained in the previous week’s win over Newtonmore.
You could sense the nerves pre-match as both camps knew the chance of a first top flight league championship was at stake.
The two captains – Scott Kennedy for Kinlochshiel and Gordon Whyte for Kyles – were well aware that one of them would go down in history as the first to lift a Marine Harvest Premiership trophy for their side.
Kinlochshiel won the toss of the coin and opted to play down the slope in the first half, against the wind.
Kinlochshiel quickly settled into the game and took the lead on four minutes following a brilliant passing move. Conor Cormack knocked the ball down in midfield and Donald Nixon got a touch ahead of Robbie MacLeod. Oliver MacRae tapped the ball to Finlay MacRae who played a weighted pass down the right flank where Scott MacLean played the ball wide to Oliver MacRae who had continued his run forward. MacRae’s cross was touched on by John MacRae to Keith MacRae and he blasted a back-hand effort over Kyles Athletic keeper John Whyte’s right shoulder and into the net.
There was more to come as Oliver MacRae made it 2-0 on 12 minutes. John MacRae played a Kinlochshiel free-hit from the right to Keith MacRae at the back post and his shot from a tight angle was blocked with his body by John Whyte, but Oliver MacRae was quickly onto the rebound to stroke the ball home to the delight of the home support.
Kinlochshiel defender Paul MacRae had to be bandaged up after suffering a head cut, whilst Kyles goalie John Whyte needed treatment after taking a point-bank John MacRae shot, from the edge of the ‘D’, full in the face. Both players were able to carry on.
The next goal was always going to be important and it came from the hosts four minutes into the second half. Conor Cormack played a free-hit forward and substitute Jordan Fraser, who had come on for Scott MacLean during the first period, sent a bouncing shot goalwards from a central position. John Whyte dealt with the effort, pushing the ball out to his left. John MacRae saw an initial effort blocked before he wriggled forward past a couple of defenders and showed great perseverance to slot the ball into the net from close range.
Kyles had their chances in this game but the Kinlochshiel defence were excellent, with Mark MacDonald outstanding. Whenever the Tighnabruaich men got a sight of goal, they found ‘Shiel keeper Scott Kennedy in no mood to give anything away and one flying first half save, diving to his right to deny Grant Irvine, was special.
Kinlochshiel also showed good game management as they closed the match out in the second half.
Kyles threw Dunkie Kerr on in midfield and Callum Miller and Innes MacDonald on up front, but it was Jordan Fraser who put the icing on the cake, making it 4-0 with five minutes remaining. Donald Irvine pushed the ball out of the defensive area where it was gathered by Fraser on the Kinlochshiel left. Jordan Fraser didn’t catch his initial attempt properly but he then beat Cammy Keith in a challenge before steadying himself and blasting the ball inside the post to put Kinlochshiel out of sight.
Kinlochshiel deserved the win, although the four-goal winning margin was harsh on Kyles who missed Callum Miller at the back and Roddy MacDonald up front.
The title race has taken a number of twists in recent weeks and Kyles will hope there is still another turn still to unfold.
Kinlochshiel, though, finish the season against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield on Saturday October 7, knowing that a point is enough for a first Marine Harvest Premiership success.
Kyles Athletic are scheduled to complete their league programme against Glasgow Mid Argyll at Tighnabruaich the same day.
Speaking immediately after the final whistle, Kinlochshiel manager Johnston Gill said: ‘I’m really pleased for the players. They were up for it from the start and they gave their all. Kyles are a great team and they have more big game experience than us, but we’ve tried to get inside the players’ heads this season so they can cope with the big games and they certainly came through today.
‘We have huge respect for Oban Camanachd and we know we’ll have to be at our best to take something from that game.
We’ll do our usual preparation over the next fortnight. We didn’t pick up any injuries or suspensions today so we’ll be good to go again.’
Oban Camanachd 4 Glasgow Mid Argyll 1
Glasgow Mid Argyll will return to the National Division next season after their 4-1 defeat to Oban Camanachd at Mossfield confirmed the end of their 12 month stay in shinty’s top flight.
Oban Camanachd captain Garry Lord served the final match of his four-game suspension whilst Gary McKerracher was also banned for this one.
Keeper Gavin Stobbart returned from his ban but Scott McKillop has been ruled out for the rest of the season through injury. Matt Rippon returned from injury and was on the bench alongside Daniel MacVicar who suffered a shoulder injury in training the previous Tuesday.
Glasgow Mid Argyll’s Ryan Harrison sat this one out after collecting a one-match suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Gary Luke was free to play but he will miss GMA’s final match of the season away to Kyles Athletic because of a bookings accumulation.
Oban Camanachd went in front on 21 minutes. The goal came following a throw-up near the edge of the ‘D’. Daniel Cameron scuffed a shot goalwards and Andrew MacCuish tapped the ball into the net.
Oban Camanachd keeper Gavin Stobbart did well to save a Calum Mclay penalty with his feet before GMA levelled on 24 minutes. Calum Mclay ran in on keeper Stobbart and although his initial shot was saved, the ball rose into the air and Mclay shied the rebound into the bottom corner of the net from a tight angle.
Oban Camanachd regained the lead five minutes into the second half when Aidan MacIntyre fired the ball into the corner of the net from close-in.
Oban Camanachd boss Iain Hay was forced to make changes with both David Lafferty and Lorne Dickie picking up injuries. Matt Rippon replaced Lafferty at half back, with Daniel MacVicar taking over from Dickie.
Daniel MacVicar played well following his introduction and made it 3-1 on 65 minutes. There was a scramble around the GMA goal and MacVicar flicked a rebound off keeper Robert Dunnings into the roof of the net from five yards.
Andrew MacCuish, who started the scoring, also had the final say four minutes from time. Malcolm Clark won the ball in midfield and found Daniel Cameron on the Oban Camanachd right. Cameron crossed to MacCuish who took the ball around on-rushing keeper Dunnings before scoring from a tight angle.
Oban Camanachd could have added to their four goal haul but Robert Dunnings in the GMA goal made some good saves against his former club.
With four matches still to go, Oban Camanachd have more league games remaining than any other side in the top flight. Their recently postponed league trip to Canal Parks to face Kilmallie has been rescheduled for this Saturday. Throw up is at noon to allow the squads and supporters to watch the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final between Lovat and Newtonmore, which is broadcast live on BBC2 Scotland from 1.45pm.
Oban Camanachd then meet Kinlochshiel the week after whilst Iain Hay’s side travel to The Eilan to play Newtonmore on Saturday October 14. Oban Camanachd complete their season against Lovat at Mossfield on Saturday October 28.
Lovat 3 Kingussie 1
Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup finalists Lovat warmed up for the big day with a 3-1 win over Lovat in their 3pm throw up at Balgate.
Craig Mainland returned to the Lovat starting line-up, whilst Marc MacLachlan was on the bench.
Kingussie manager Dallas Young gave second team keeper Robert Shiells a start in goal but Lee Bain was missing. James Hutchison was listed as a substitute after missing recent games through work commitments.
Greg Matheson scored on 14 minutes to give Lovat the lead. Lorne MacKay ran out to the corner flag on the Lovat right and sent the ball into the danger area. Greg Matheson showed a brilliant first touch as he leapt to take the ball down before hammering it into the net from close to the edge of the ‘D’.
Lovat only stayed in front for 60 seconds though. The Kingussie centre line won the ball from the re-start and Chris Holleysong let the ball run forward, taking it past Drew Howie, and his early strike was good, sending the ball low to the keeper’s left to make it 1-1.
Greg Matheson collected the ball wide on the left on 34 minutes. His initial shot on his left side was charged down by a defender but the re-bound fell to the Lovat captain on his right side who beat Robert Shiells to make it 2-1.
Just before half time, Greg Matheson came within an inch of completing his hat-trick. Matheson anticipated a dropping ball over the Kingussie defence and, with a flick of the wrist, fired the ball across the keeper but it came off the post and away to safety.
When Lovat moved the ball across their forward line on 52 minutes, Lorne MacKay steered the ball into the net to make it 3-1.
This was a great, open game for the supporters with play flowing from end-to-end. Kingussie were never out of it and created three glorious chances with Ryan Borthwick, particularly, unlucky not to score as his shot from the edge of the ‘D’ produced a Stuart MacDonald reflex save with the ball taking the merest nick off MacDonald’s stick and onto the post.
Greg Matheson and Craig Mainland were withdrawn during the second half and Lovat substitute Marc MacLachlan also hit the post.
Greg Matheson’s superb performance during his time on the field made him the man of the match and he will be key to Lovat’s hopes of winning what would be only a second Scottish success since 1953.
Lovat will now make their final preparations ahead of Saturday’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final against Newtonmore. Throw-up at the Bught Park is 2pm.
Kilmallie 2 Newtonmore 6
Newtonmore prepared for Saturday’s Scottish final with a 6-2 victory over Kilmallie in their 3pm throw-up at Canal Parks.
Kilmallie’s Innes Blackhall was suspended, whilst Liam MacDonald returned to the senior squad, starting on the bench.
Newtonmore’s Steven MacDonald was also banned and Rory Kennedy remained out as he struggles to gain fitness ahead of this Saturday’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final. In an interesting move, Newtonmore played keeper Norman Campbell at full back, with Paul MacArthur between the sticks.
Kilmallie created several early chances but Newtonmore’s Glen MacKintosh opened the scoring after 12 minutes and Evan Menzies made it 2-0 on 20 minutes.
Daniel Stewart pulled a goal back on 31 minutes but Fraser MacKintosh’s strike a couple of minutes later restored Newtonmore’s two-goal cushion.
Jamie Robinson made it 4-1 a couple of minutes into the second half and although Liam MacDonald pulled another goal back on 62 minutes, shortly after coming on, Iain Robinson on 77 minutes and a second from Jamie Robinson on 82 minutes completed the 6-2 victory.
Kilmallie have two matches remaining in their attempt to overcome eighth-placed Lochaber who are two points better off. They host Oban Camanachd this Saturday, whilst Lovat visit Canal Parks a week after the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final.
Newtonmore boss Paul John MacKintosh will be pleased to have five separate scorers ahead of the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup Final against Lovat but he does have important decisions to make in defence, including assessing Norman Campbell’s performance at full back where he did well in this outing.
Marine Harvest National Division Caberfeidh 6 Beauly 2
Promotion hopefuls Caberfeidh finished their league programme on a high, beating Beauly 6-2 at Castle Leod.
Caberfeidh boss Jodi Gorski had Kevin Bartlett, Liam Symonds and Martin MacDonald all free of suspension, although the latter was to feature for their second team.
Kevin Bartlett put the hosts ahead on three minutes and Craig Morrison added a quickfire hat-trick with goals on 13, 17 and 30 minutes to make it 4-0.
Referee Graham Cameron awarded Beauly a penalty on 33 minutes and Jack MacDonald scored from the spot.
Colin MacLennan, with a goal a couple of minutes later, made it 5-1 at the break. Jamie Matheson added a sixth on 78 minutes and Jordan Zeblewski’s effort in the final minute made it 6-2.
Beauly’s Robbie Brindle was sent off.
Caberfeidh have now completed their league programme and their promotion hopes lie in the balance. They are on 20 points and can only wait and watch as promotion rivals Fort William play their final two matches of the season.
Fort William 9 Inverness 0
Fort William’s promotion push also remains on course after they beat Inverness 9-0 in their 3pm throw-up at An Aird.
Fort William’s James Tangney and Lewis Clark were free of suspension, as was Inverness defender David Campbell.
Alexander MacMillan opened the scoring on 15 minutes and Calum Shepherd made it 2-0 on 21 minutes.
A Graham Campbell strike on 34 minutes followed by Alexander MacMillan’s second on 39 minutes made it 4-0 and a second from Calum Shepherd on 43 minutes made it 5-0 at the break.
Graham Campbell got his second on 53 minutes and Lachie Shaw added his name to the list of scorers three minutes later.
Calum Shepherd completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes and Alexander MacMillan did likewise three minutes later.
Fort William will win promotion if they win their final two league matches of the season, at home to Skye Camanachd and Inveraray.
Inveraray 1 Oban Celtic 2
Oban Celtic recorded a good win, beating Inveraray 2-1 in their 3pm throw-up at The Winterton.
The pitch passed a Saturday morning inspection, although the surface was difficult for both sides.
The hosts were without Nicholas Crawford, John Kennedy and Ally Munro.
This was Oban Celtic’s first match since early August. Ross Macmillan started a twomatch suspension for passing through the disciplinary points threshold. Ally McKerracher and Andy Hunt were ruled out through injury with both likely to miss the rest of the season. Robert Alexander was also injured, whilst Connor Howe is now playing junior football.
Oban Celtic got themselves in front on seven minutes when make-shift full forward Andy MacDonald scored with the help of a deflection.
The visitors suffered a blow on 12 minutes when experienced defender David MacInnes was sent off by referee Ross Brown for retaliation following an off -the-ball incident.
With keepers Stephen Davidson and Jack Hill both missing, Iain MacFarlane again deputised in goal and played well throughout the 90 minutes as did the Celtic defence of John Hill, Fulton Ronald, Lewis MacPhee and David Hill, with the latter filling in for MacInnes.
Inveraray pressed hard from the start of the second half but Oban Celtic had the chance to double their lead six minutes after the re-start when they were awarded a penalty.
David Hill’s clearance found Neil Carmichael who picked out Daniel Madej who lost his marker and made for goal, only to be brought down inside the box. David Hill sent the spot-hit low and hard to the keeper’s right.
Oban Celtic now led 2-0 with the goal coming against the run of play. Iain MacFarlane continued to deny Inveraray, turning in an outstanding performance between the posts.
Garry MacPherson made it 2-1 with a rocket-shot on 79 minutes but, despite intense pressure, Oban Celtic held out to move up to sixth place in the division, just
two points behind fifth-placed Inveraray, with what was their fourth league win of the season. Marine Harvest North Division 1 Fort William 3 Newtonmore 2 The Fort William reserves beat Marine Harvest North Division 1 champions Newtonmore reserves 3-2 in their noon throwup at An Aird.
Scott Henderson put Fort William ahead on 10 minutes but Calum Stewart levelled five minutes later.
Victor Smith put the home side back in front on 57 minutes but Calum Stewart levelled for a second time with five minutes remaining.
It stayed that way until the final minute when a second Scott Henderson goal put Fort William ahead for the third time in the match and this time there was no comeback.
This was a final Fort William match for Bobby MacMillan after a career spanning more than 17 years.
This was also a last match in charge for Cammy MacDonald after 10 years managing the Newtonmore seconds, so it was fitting that he signed off with another title success.
This was the Newtonmore reserves final match of the season and, after the final whistle, their captain Darrin Fowler was presented with the Marine Harvest North Division 1 trophy. Glenurquhart 2 Kingussie 2 The Kingussie seconds and the Glenurquhart seconds shared the points in a 2-2 draw in their noon throw-up at Blairbeg.
James MacPherson and Oliver Black scored the Glenurquhart goals with a Kevin Thain brace counting for Kingussie. Aberdeen University P Beauly P The Beauly seconds were unable to raise a team for their match against Aberdeen University at Balgownie.
The match will be for a later date.
This will be the fifth time this season that this match has been scheduled.
The original fixture in midMarch was postponed because of an unplayable field. Beauly have since been unable to fulfil the match on three occasions and they have found it difficult to field a second string on the same day as their first team has a match.
Beauly have been deducted another two points and remain bottom of the table. re-scheduled Marine Harvest South Division 1 Aberdour 1 Lochside Rovers 4 Lochside Rovers took a giant step towards lifting the Marine Harvest South Division 1 title when they beat second placed Aberdour 4-1 at Silversands.
The recently crowned Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup winners showed no hangover from the previous week’s celebrations and took the lead on 22 minutes.
Referee Willie MacDonald spotted a ‘kick’ inside the Aberdour ‘D’ and awarded the Oban side a penalty which was well-taken by Michael MacQueen who fired the ball low into the corner of the net.
Lochside keeper Cameron Sutherland saved a thunderbolt shot with his body before Lewis Buchanan added a second Lochside goal three minutes before the break. Ruaraidh Horn played the ball to Buchanan from around the penalty spot and the youngster shot into the top corner of the net.
Lochside thought they had extended their lead early in the second half when Lewis Buchanan shot goalwards but the goal judge confirmed the ball had not crossed the line.
Lochside had keeper Cameron Sutherland to thank on 63 minutes when he stretched to make a brilliant save with his foot to deny Roddy MacColl.
Aberdour reduced the deficit on 79 minutes when Alec Mitchell’s shot was stopped with his legs by Cameron Sutherland but Angus Thorburn knocked the rebound home to make it 2-1.
Lochside boss Gareth Evans introduced youngster Ross Campbell, who impressed by scoring all seven goals for the club’s U14 side in a win over their Bute counter-parts, for the final third of the match and he certainly livened things up.
Campbell was involved in Lochside’s third goal on 82 minutes when he held the ball up before working it wide and drawing the keeper.
Campbell knocked the ball across the goal line, leaving Niall MacFarlane the easiest chance to make it 3-1.
With centre Michael MacQueen and forward Craig MacDougall swapping places, Lochside went for the kill and Ross Campbell completed an afternoon to remember three minutes from time.
Good work from Callum Kirsop set up the chance and Ross Campbell thumped the ball high into the net from 20 yards out to make it 4-1.
Daniel Sloss and Chrissie MacMillan were terrific at the back for Lochside, whilst Craig Callaghan in the Aberdour goal made some great saves.
The defeat knocks Aberdour out of the title race and Lochside Rovers are within a whisker of becoming champions.
They have now reached the 25 point mark and whilst Kilmory can reach 26 points, they would have to win all their games to do so and rely on a complete Lochside collapse. Ballachulish 3 Tayforth 2 Ballachulish go sixth after they edged out Tayforth 3-2 at Jubilee Park.
Tayforth’s Sean Taylor scored the only goal of the first half on 34 minutes.
Ballachulish turned things around though with Duncan MacDonald on 47 minutes, Craig MacLachlan on 50 minutes and Stuart Robertson on the hour putting them 3-1 to the good.
Calum Barton made it 3-2 three minutes from time but Ballachulish stayed in front to take the points. Taynuilt 5 Kyles Athletic 0 Taynuilt were 5-0 winners against the Kyles Athletic second team at Taynuilt Sports Field.
Scott Dempster on 19 minutes and Robbie Brown on 25 minutes made it 2-0 at the break.
Willie Lafferty on the hour, Ryan Gillies on 77 minutes and Jamie MacLaren on 81 minutes completed a comfortable 5-0 win. Glenorchy P Kilmory P The match between Glenorchy and Kilmory was postponed as Mart Park was unplayable.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Strathspey Camanachd 2 Lochaber 5 The Lochaber reserves narrowed the gap at the top of the table to two points when they beat Strathspey Camanachd 5-2 at Grantown Grammar School.
Keith Neville gave Lochaber the lead on 12 minutes but Stewart Sloss levelled soon after.
Lachlan Campbell restored Lochaber’s advantage on 15 minutes but Matthew Davis made it 2-2 on 34 minutes and it stayed that way until the final 20 minutes of the match.
Three goals in a four-minute spell gave Lochaber victory. Max Campbell put them back in front on 72 minutes and the youngster got a second three minutes later.
Keith Neville got his second on 76 minutes to make it 5-2 and leave his side two points behind leaders Glengarry with both sides having two matches remaining. Lovat 4 Caberfeidh 4 The Lovat seconds and the Caberfeidh seconds drew 4-4 in in an action-packed midday meeting at Balgate.
Raymond Rennie gave Lovat the lead on eight minutes with the goal coming against the run of play. A perfectly weighted pass from Duncan Urquhart evaded the visiting defence and Rennie took advantage to send the ball low into the net.
Lovat keeper Ronan MacMillan made a fine double-save, first with his body and then with his feet, to keep his side ahead.
Duncan Urquhart made it 2-0 on 14 minutes when he had time to pick his spot from wide of the penalty spot.
Rory Campbell and Raymond Rennie combined on 17 minutes with the latter getting his second from the edge of the ‘D’.
Caberfeidh had had much of the play but the goals lifted Lovat and Bailey MacKay and Chris Johnston were providing the home forwards with plenty ball from midfield and Raymond Rennie completed his hat-trick with a fine strike on 23 minutes. Rennie took a powerful cross from the clubhouse side of the park in the air and struck the ball mid-air, giving the keeper no chance as he completed a 15 minute hat-trick, making a late push for a Camanachd Cup Final place.
Russell MacKenzie gave Caberfeidh some hope when he came forward from midfield to strike home a loose ball from 20 yards on the stroke of half time.
Caberfeidh now had their tails up and things went wrong for Lovat when referee Martin MacLean sent off Rory Campbell on the hour.
Caberfeidh were awarded a penalty on 62 minutes when James Grieve bundled over a visiting forward. Martin MacDonald didn’t strike the spot-hit as cleanly as he’d have liked though and Ronan MacMillan saved low by the post.
Martin MacDonald made amends when he tapped the ball home to make it 4-2 on 66 minutes after a goal-mouth scramble.
The home support were left to wonder just how the Caberfeidh goal survived moments later. Chris Johnston found Bailey MacKay and his back-hand effort hit the inside of the post.
The ball rebounded to Raymond Rennie but his strike was saved by Ian MacColl in the Caberfeidh goal. The ball then fell for Duncan Urquhart who tried to take the ball round the keeper but couldn’t find the net.
Caberfeidh were using the spare man well and Ruairidh McCreadie shot home from the left on 70 minutes to make it 4-3.
Caberfeidh completed an excellent come-back a minute later through Ruairidh MacLeman but Lovat held on to take a point. Lochcarron 5 Lewis Camanachd 0 Lochcarron go sixth in the table after they defeated Lewis Camanachd 5-0 in their 1.30pm throw-up at Battery Park. Andrew Ford gave the hosts the lead on 27 minutes when, at the back post, he struck the ball low across goal and into the net.
An unmarked Lance MacCuish made it 2-0 on 32 minutes with a great strike.
Liam Arnott added a third five minutes later when he fired a loose ball into the top corner of the net.
When Lewis Camanachd player/manager Dougie MacIntyre was brought down inside the ‘D’, the visitors were awarded a second-half penalty. However Dougie Shaw’s spot-hit was saved by home keeper Ronnie Cameron from Applecross.
Lance MacCuish completed his hat-trick with goals on 68 and 71 minutes. He found space at the back post to score before making it 5-1 three minutes later.
Lewis were denied a late goal when Dougie MacIntyre dragged an effort wide of goal.
This was Lewis Camanachd’s final league match of the season. Kilmallie P Inverness P The noon throw-up between the Kilmallie colts and the Inverness colts was postponed on Friday evening when it became clear Canal Parks, which was also to host the Premiership meeting between Kilmallie and Newtonmore, could not take two games. Marine Harvest South Division 2 Inveraray P Glasgow Mid Argyll P The Inveraray colts will have to wait for the chance to seal the Marine Harvest South Division 2 title, and promotion to Marine Harvest South Division 1, after their 3pm meeting with the Glasgow Mid Argyll colts was postponed as The Winterton was unable to host two matches.
The sides will try again on Saturday October 7. Strachur W/O v Oban Lorn Strachur were awarded the points when Oban Lorn were unable to raise a team for their meeting at Strachurmore. Bute P Dunoon Camanachd P The meeting between the Bute second team and Dunoon Camanachd was postponed on Friday as The Meadows was ruled unplayable. WCA North v South The ladies North v South matches, sponsored by the Macaulay Association, took place at a wet Mossfield Stadium last Sunday. South U21 0 North U21 10 The U21 encounter between the North and South was a 1pm throw-up. The North led 4-0 at the break before eventually running out convincing 10-0 winners.
Megan Ralph scored twice, Zoe Reid grabbed a hat-trick, Alison MacVicar bagged a double whilst Leona Falconer, Mairi Stewart and Mairi Duncan got the others. South 0 North 5 The North seniors made it a double-success when they beat the South 5-0.
Hazel Hunter and Sarah Corrigall both scored twice with Laura Gallacher also finding the back of the net. Youth shinty Camanachd and Kingussie to contest London Shield final Oban Camanachd U17s and Kingussie U17s won through to the London Shield Final, after winning their respective semi-final ties on Tuesday September 20.
Two goals from Lewis Buchanan and a Ruaraidh Horn strike had Oban Camanachd U17s 3-0 ahead against Fort William U17s before Victor Smith’s late counter.
Fort William’s Duncan Stevenson was sent off.
Kingussie U17s defeated Skye Camanachd U17s 4-2 at Craigard. Roddy Young, a Ruaridh Anderson brace and Dylan Borthwick counted for Kingussie, whilst Ross Nicolson and Jamie Gillies got the Skye goals.
Lochside Rovers recently beat the Kingussie second team 3-1 to lift the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup and many of the players on show that day will feature in the London Shield Final to be played at An Aird on Saturday October 28.
The red and blacks have already won the McQuiston Cup defeating a team from Col Glen, Kyles, Strachur and Aberdour 3-0 in the final.
Whilst enjoying success at youth level, players including Daniel MacCuish, Lewis Buchanan, Evan MacLellan, Cameron Sutherland and Craig Easton have played for the Oban Camanachd senior team in the Premiership and have adapted very well at the top level.
The Oban U17s won the South Area Sixes at Peterson Park, Yoker, last Sunday defeating Bute in the final. Camanachd U14s keep up the challenge Oban Camanachd Under 14s maintained their South League challenge defeating Bute by 7-3 at Mossfield Stadium. Man of the match was Ross Campbell who scored all seven goals.
Ross made his debut for Lochside Rovers against Aberdour last Saturday in a South Division One league game which was well refereed by former Oban Camanachd player Alec McVicar.
Following an adjustment in the age limit which resulted in the loss of key players, team coaches Alan MacKechnie and Brian Logan must be well pleased with the progress of the young group of players.
Next up for the Under 14s is a game against Col Glen.
The Camanachd youngsters won the South Sixes at Yoker last Sunday defeating Dunoon in the final making it an U14 and U17 double for the Oban club. Balla’ youngsters retain title Ballachulish U14s successfully defended their Marine Harvest National Development trophy, beating Oban Lorn 6-2 at Mossfield.
Lewis Moran scored four times for Ballachulish whilst David Wilson netted twice. Coll MacKay and Duncan MacEwan were on target for Oban Lorn.