The Shinty Round Up. | |
12 November 2009 It’s all to play for in the Scottish hydro Premier Division following Kingussie’s win over Newtonmore and Lovat clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title on A crowd of over 2,000 congregated on the Dell for Scottish Hydro Premier Division match between Kingussie and Newtonmore and both sides were at full strength. Newtonmore started brightly but the first real chance came in 3 minutes when Ronald Ross leapt with his caman in an out-stretched arm to bring the ball down and fire a low effort which Michael Ritchie did well to stop with his left foot. The home forwards unable to latch onto the rebound. However it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after 11 minutes and what a goal it was. Danny MacRae reacted first to a bouncing ball and he used great technique to turn and crash a half volley past Andrew Borthwick to the delight of the Newtonmore end of the ground. The opening period was peppered with yellow cards shown by Marine Harvest referee of the year Ronnie Campbell. This included an early booking for the King’s Ally MacLeod who was penalised for catching Danny MacRae in the face with his caman. Kingussie levelled on 38 minutes with a goal which actually came from a Newtonmore free hit. The King’s Louis Munro did exceptionally well to stop a Paul MacArthur free hit above his head from only around 15 yards away. Kingussie broke with pace and Munro found Kevin Thain who played in Ronald Ross. Ross proved to be the coolest person at the Dell as he slipped the ball low past Ritchie to make the score 1-1. The frantic pace never let up but the game took a very significant turn a couple of minutes before the break. As ‘More defended a corner, Scott Campbell caught the onrushing Russell Dallas on the head with his stick. A silence fell over the ground with all eyes on the referee’s card. It was red and the men from the Eilan were faced with playing out the remainder of the match a man down. Worse was to follow as the free hit was slipped to Ronald Ross and he fired low into the net to give the champions a 2-1 interval lead. Newtonmore fought hard to get back into the match but it was Kingussie who created a vital 2 goal advantage on the hour mark and it was that man Ross who completed his hat-trick as he shot past Ritchie from around 20 yards. There was still time for more incident and 5 minutes from the end, Kingussie’s Ally MacLeod received a straight red card for a wild swing which caught David Cheyne on the leg. Kingussie brought Ronald Ross back into defence for the closing period and they needed a couple of neat saves from Borthwick to retain their advantage. The final whistle sparked celebrations amongst the home contingent whilst the visitors trooped off in frustration at decisions which they felt had not gone their way. Kingussie now have a 2 point advantage in the league but Newtonmore have one match in hand. Kingussie also have a goal difference advantage of plus 5. The matches between Inveraray and Glenurquhart at Winterton and Oban Camanachd and Lovat clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 1 title and a quick-fire return to the Scottish Hydro Premier League with a 5-2 win over Lochcarron at Balgate. However the home side had to work hard for the points against a very determined Lochcarron side who felt aggrieved at their 2 point deduction by the Camanachd Association for failing to fulfill this match earlier in the season. The West Coast side took the lead on 15 minutes when Scotland U21 international Mark Sproule found the back of the net. However Lovat leveled 10 minutes later through Raymond Rennie. These were nervous times for Lovat who knew that they must win the game or Kilmallie would pip them to the title and the tension from the crowd seemed to be filtering through to the players. Fraser Gallagher went some way to easing the pressure when he put Lovat ahead on 30 minutes but Lochcarron’s Scottish international Alan MacKenzie – playing in an unaccustomed position in attack – squared the match again 10 minutes into the second half. Lovat responded well and Fraser Gallagher notched his second on the hour mark and a strike from 18 year old James MacPherson 5 minutes later put them 4-2 up. Ryan Ferguson found the back of the net 10 minutes from time to make it 5-2 and ensure it was celebration time in Kiltarlidy – and what a party it was! Lovat return to the top flight, just one point ahead of second place Kilmallie and 2 points ahead of third place Skye Camanachd. The Marine Harvest North Division 2 match between This meant that Kinlochshiel could guarantee their Division 2 status with a win over Kilmallie at Canal Parks. The Kirkton side included teenage first team full forward John MacRae in their squad and his inclusion paid dividends as the youngster scored all 5 of his teams goals in a 5-1 win. This result means that Caberfeidh are relegated. Newtonmore and Skye Camanachd met at Kincraig as repair work is being carried out at the Eilan. Skye took the lead after 8 minutes when Angie MacDonald played a ball across goal which was knocked into the net by Ian Grant. The home side leveled 3 minutes later when a shot from Andrew Aitken took a wicked bounce on the uneven surface a flew into the net. Newtonmore were forced to replace full centre Glen Tonkin after he suffered a muscle spasm in his back. Paul MacKintosh came on in his place. ‘More took the lead after 22 minutes when Chris Sellar’s deep cross was tucked away by Mark MacDonald. Skye keeper Ross Graham made a good stop with his feet from MacDonald just 4 minutes before the break and Skye wing back Scott MacLeod required treatment for a cut above his eye. Skye leveled the match 3 minutes into the second period when a Danny Morrison shot from the right deceived ‘More keeper Douglas Gray. Ross Graham was back in action on 56 minutes when he saved well with his caman and cleared the danger for a shy. Skye’s U14 player Shaun Hedley came on for his second team debut on the hour mark to replace the injured Neil John Campbell. A flowing Skye move 5 minutes later almost gave them the lead. Stewart Grant won the ball in midfield and released his brother Ian Grant down the left wing. Grant’s cross found Ally MacDonald who set up Angie MacDonald and his shot flashed just wide of goal. Ally MacLeod also made his second team debut when he replaced Ally MacDonald and Daniel Morrison replaced the injured Ian Grant. Newtonmore regained the lead when the Skye defence failed to clear a corner and Gary Young swept home to give them a 3-2 advantage. The Skye youngsters fought back on 70 minutes when Angie MacDonald played in Danny Morrison who crashed the ball into the net for his second to level the match at 3-3. Ross Graham saved well from Paul MacKintosh on 76 minutes and just a minute later, Chris Sellar lashed the ball high into the net to give his side the lead once again. Skye pounded the ‘More goal in an attempt to level the game again and Douglas Gray made a superb save from Danny Morrison with just minutes remaining. The Marine Harvest South Division 2 matches between Glenorchy and Strachur at Dalmally and Kyles Athletic and Taynuilt at Tighnabruaich were postponed because of unplayable fields. |