The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Kinlochshiel and More get geared up for a final fling
Macrae makes a bit of MacTavish Cup history
Oliver Macrae will tomorrow become the first grandson of an All Blacks rugby international to play in a MacTavish Cup final but his New Zealand connection almost cost him his place in the Kinlochshiel team.
The 22-year-old forward lines up against Newtonmore in Inverness but admits he had to fight his way back after missing the first three games of the season due to a trip to New Zealand.
His grandfather Keith Davis played eight times as a scrum-half for the All Blacks between 1952 and 1958, including against Scotland at Murrayfield.
Macrae. who was in New Zealand seeing family from January, said: “It was great to be there but when I returned I found Kinlochshiel had won their opening games and I couldn’t expect to walk back into the starting line-up.
“It was a struggle to get back in and I had to be patient but it’s a real asset to the club now that everyone is playing for their place and there’s good competition.
“Newtonmore are always difficult to play against and have vast experience in big finals but we’ve been playing very well and we’ve a fair chance. “
Macrae, who is working as a stonemason in the Central Belt and trains with Glasgow Mid Argyll, helped Shiel to their first national trophy, the Macaulay Cup, in 2016 and the Premiership title last year. Now he is eyeing a treble with the north knockout championship, which his club has never won.
He said: “We showed last year that we were no flash in the pan and we’ve
“There will be wonderful scenes if we manage to take the trophy backhome”
proved we can contend for top honours.
“Our first MacTavish final is another step forward and it will be massive for Wester Ross if we can take the trophy home.
“The community has responded with terrific support and we’ve got our new pitch at Balmacara to look forward to soon, so it’s all progress and this trophy would maintain our momentum.”
Shiel have won and lost against Newtonmore this season and will be at home to them in the Camanachd Cup quarteron July 7.
Macrae added: “We started out of our blocks too slowly last time and didn’t play well at all. That’s our only defeat this year and is a lesson to us.
“There will be wonderful scenes if we manage to take the trophy back home.” l In the only Premiership fixture, the injured Brennan Macdonald is set to take charge of managerless Lochaber for the trip to Lovat following Neil MacDonald’s resignation. Lovat won 3-1 when the teams met at Balgate on May 5.