The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Kings ready for title glory
● Win over Kilmallie will clinch first Premiership title in 10 years
Kingussie forward Ruaridh Anderson insists he and his teammates are fired up to win against Kilmallie at Caol tomorrow.
Victory will clinch The Dell club’s first Premiership title in 10 years.
The 19-year-old Edinburgh University student, who scored the winning goal in August’s Macaulay Cup final, said: “People have been saying for a while that Kingussie have a bright future but we’re focused on success in the present time.
“You could say our approach is to ‘make the future now’ – and the lads are really up for the win that takes us over the line.”
Anderson, son of club legend Davie Anderson, added: “Last year our form was up and down but this season we’ve started to be very consistent. We’re beating the top teams and we’ve learned to handle the big occasion.
“We’ve put ourselves in a position to take the title and we’re looking forward to the game.”
If they slip up against Kilmallie, Kings will have another opportunity when they travel to Kyles Athletic for their final fixture on October 26.
Manager John Gibson said: “The lads have worked hard in training this week and we’re focused on getting it done and dusted at Kilmallie.”
Gibson, who won 10 championship medals during Kingussie’s monopoly period, added: “This group has progressed so well and have already won the Macaulay Cup this year. They deserve to win the Premiership – but it’s never over until it’s over.
“The players had dips in form last season but this year they’ve averaged eight or nine out of 10 in personal performance levels. It’s hard to tell if they’re feeling the pressure but they certainly haven’t shown any sign of it so far.”
Kings will be without wing-forward James Falconer, who had arranged a sunshine holiday expecting the club’s season to be completed by now.
Liam Borthwick, still only 18, will start as a straight replacement.
Gibson said: “Liam’s very clever and versatile and we’ve no qualms about him.”
Kilmallie will be playing for the first time since losing at Lovat on August 17. Manager John Stewart gave the players a break from training but they have been brushing up their fitness again.
They are two points ahead of second-bottom Lochaber and have a massive 25-goal advantage in goal difference so seem safe from relegation.
Champions Newtonmore will make the long trip to Kyles Athletic, who beat them at The Eilean last weekend, without defender Andy Mackintosh, who has picked up a one-game ban.
Camanachd Cup scoring hero Glen Mackintosh also misses out with knee trouble, while David Maclean is unavailable and Steven MacDonald and Iain Robinson remain injured.
Duncan Gorman will be involved.
Roddy Macdonald, who spent most of the season in defence, struck twice for Kyles last week and is set to again be a threat to the visitors’ defence.