One of the most exciting Scottish Hydro Premier League races in years was won on Saturday 5 December 2009 when reigning champions Kingussie held their nerve to beat Kyles Athletic and win the title of goal difference.
It was a fight to the finish for these Badenoch giants of shinty and the fact that Newtonmore pushed them so hard, means that it has to be one on Kingussie’s best title successes in a 25 year period where they have won the league title an incredible 24 times. Indeed they may not have been pushed so hard since, dare I say it, Skye Camanachd ran them so close in the early 1990/91. Kingussie needed a draw in Portree on the final day to clinch the title whilst a win for the home side would have made them champions. In the end the King’s secured a 2-1 victory.
Both Kingussie and Newtonmore each only suffered one league defeat all season. The Kings went down 4-3 to Kyles Athletic, who would later also knock them out of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup, whilst Newtonmore lost to Kingussie at the Dell in a crunch league meeting near the end of the season. Both sides drew 4 of their 18 matches.
The title race started on 7 March 2009 and both sides secured maximum points. Champions Kingussie negotiated a tricky opener when they beat Lochaber 6-2 on a heavy, wet Spean Bridge surface. The new shinty season started with a familiar face stealing the limelight. Ronald Ross scored the first goal of the day after one minute and he went on to score two more and complete a hat-trick in the first 13 minutes to give his side a 3-0 half time lead. Kevin Thain made it four just 5 minutes into the second half and Paul Gow put the Kings out of sight 7 minutes later. Lachlan Campbell pulled a goal back for Lochaber 15 minutes from the end but Ross scored his fourth and Kingussie’s sixth a minute later. Young Ben Delaney scored the final goal of the game for the home side to make the final score 6-2 to the reigning champions. Newtonmore had a comprehensive 5-0 win at the Eilan over Scottish Hydro Premier Division new boys Glenurquhart. Norman Campbell gave More the lead after 35 minutes and Paul MacArthur made it two 5 minutes later. Campbell scored a crucial third goal a minute before the break. David Cheyne made it four on 64 minutes and Christopher Sellar completed the scoring 12 minutes from the end.
Newtonmore’s second game of the season on 14 March 2009 was to be against Glenorchy but the match was postponed as Dalmally was unplayable. However Kingussie failed to take advantage as they went down to a last gasp 4-3 defeat to Kyles Athletic at the Dell. Any thoughts that Kingussie might run away with the title were quickly dispersed when they turned in a below standard performance. Tom Whyte gave the visitors an 8 minute lead but when Ronald Ross fired in a double after 17 minutes and 35 minutes, many would have expected the Kings to go on and secure the points. However Kyles spirited young side fought back and Duncan Kerr levelled the game two minutes later. Grant Irvine gave Kyles an interval lead with a strike a minute before the beak and Whyte scored his second and Kyle’s fourth 15 minutes from the end of the match. Paul Gow pulled a goal back after 82 minutes but it was too little, too late for the Kings and Kyles travelled South with both points from their opening league game of the season.
The first Badenoch derby of the season took place on 21 March 2009 when Newtonmore and Kingussie met at the Eilan. The match finished 1-1 although the home side had the better chances so the teams were still all square in the table but with ‘More having a game in hand. Newtonmore played a tactic of cutting off the supply to Ronald Ross and for large periods of the match, it worked. However after 55 mins Ross collected a pass, his marker slipped and this gave him just enough time to crash a backhand shot into the net. Newtonmore refused to lie down and they got their reward 20 minutes later when Norman Campbell levelled the game with a great strike of his own. Kingussie’s James Hutchison was sent off by referee Graham Cameron 10 minutes from the end but that was the end of the scoring. Newtonmore’s Danny MacRae picked up an injury and Paul McArthur played well for the home side. Kingussie would have been pleased with Ryan Borthwick’s performance.
Neither side was in league action again until 11 April 2009. Kyles Athletic showed that they were not fazed by a trip to Badenoch when they followed up their win over Kingussie with a point from the Eilan in a 2-2 draw thanks to a Tom Whyte strike in the last minute of the game. The visitors took a first half lead through Duncan Kerr but a David Cheyne double looked to have won More 2 valuable points before Whyte’s late leveller. Newtonmore’s discipline problems resurfaced when David Campbell was sent off. Kingussie traveled to Blairbeg and returned with both points following a 3-1 win over Glenurquhart. Kingussie didn’t have it all their own way against Glenurquhart at Drumnadrochit. A Ronald Ross penalty gave them the lead after 42 minutes but Calum Miller levelled for the home side just 2 minutes later. Ally Borthwick restored the Kings lead after the break and Ross scored his second and Kingussie’s third after 65 minutes.
This meant that Kingussie led Newtonmore by a single point but the latter still had a game in hand.
Both sides were again in action on 18 April 2009 and both dropped a point. Newtonmore drew 1-1 against Oban Camanachd at Mossfield. More were leading but a strike from Aiden MacIntyre earned Oban Camanachd a point. Kingussie drew 2-2 with Fort William at the Dell in the match of the day. Fort William took the lead through Bryan Simpson but Ronald Ross levelled a minute before the break. Gordy MacKinnon put the visitors ahead after 53 minutes but Paul Gow levelled 10 minutes later. Fort William’s Adie Robertson was sent off in what was a physical affair but a share of the points was a fair result. Kingussie retained their point advantage with ‘More having a game in hand.
Kingussie were not fixtured for a match on 2 May 2009 but Newtonmore were unable to take advantage as their trip to Bute fell foul of an unplayable pitch.
Kingussie were back in action on 16 May 2009 when they beat Inveraray 4-2 at Winterton. Inveraray led at the break through Garry MacPherson but Ronald Ross was the Kings key contributor again with a second half hat-trick and Louis Munro scored their other. Garry MacPherson and David Robertson scored for the home side. This win gave Kingussie a 3 point lead over their rivals who now had 2 games in hand.
Neither side were fixtured for league matches on 23 May 2009 and 30 May 2009.
Newtonmore played one of their games in hand on 6 June 2009 when they beat Glenorchy 5-0 at Dalmally. David Cheyne grabbed a hat-trick and Chris Sellar and Evan Menzies also found the net. This was ‘More’s first league match since mid April so they will be pleased to be racking up the points again. Glenorchy remain at the bottom of the table with only two points from their eight games. This cut Newtonmore’s advantage to a single point with ‘More having a game in hand.
Neither side were fixtured for league matches on 13 June 2009 but Kingussie returned to league action on 27 June 2009 and they enjoyed a comprehensive 11-0 win over Lochaber at the Dell. Young Ryan Borthwick scored the opening goal after only 20 seconds. Ronald Ross added another after 5 minutes and Kevin Thain scored his first of the match a couple of minutes later. Ross scored his second after 11 minutes and Russell Dallas made it 5-0 after 15 minutes. Thain scored his second 10 minutes later and Ronald Ross completed his hat-trick 5 minutes from the interval. Kevin Thain did the same on the stroke of half time to give the Kings an 8-0 advantage at the break. There were 3 further goals in the second period, with Thain and Ross scoring their fourth goals on 52 and 65 minutes respectively and the man who started it all off, Ryan Borthwick completed an 11-0 win with an 82 minute strike. This restored their 3 point advantage but they had played 2 games more than the men from the Eilan.
Again Newtonmore fulfilled one of their games in hand on 4 July 2009 when they had a hard fought 4-3 win at Bute. Bute fought all the way and a brace from Robert Walker and a goal from Stuart Strathie stated their intent but Danny MacRae, David Cheyne and two from Glen MacKintosh won the day for ‘More. Kingussie’s lead was reduced to a point with a game more played.
Kingussie extended their advantage on 11 July 2009 when they did the double over Glenurquhart with a 5-1 win at the Dell. Ronald Ross opened the scoring after 30 minutes and added a second 10 minutes later. Young Ryan Borthwick made it 3-0 a minute before the break. Ross took his tally to 4 with goals in 59 and 80 minutes whilst Gregor MacCormack hit a consolation strike for the Glen 2 minutes from the end. Newtonmore remained the league’s only unbeaten side however they dropped their second league point of the season to Kyles Athletic when the sides drew 3-3 at Tighnabruaich. Danny MacRae gave the visitors the perfect start with a goal in 2 minutes. Mathew MacColl levelled after 20 minutes but MacRae went on to complete a first half hat-trick with goals in 30 and 38 minutes. ‘More still had both points when Grant Irvine reduced the deficit to a single goal after 77 minutes but a Robbie MacLeod goal 3 minutes from the end delighted the home fans and earned Kyles a share of the points. Kingussie led by 2 points but Newtonmore had a game in hand.
Both sides were on home turf on 18 July 2009, and both sides won. Kingussie beat Oban Camanachd 3-0 at the Dell thanks to a Ronald Ross hat-trick. Oban Camanachd were without the suspended Grant MacPherson and David MacInnes but they had no answer to Ross who opened the scoring after 20 minutes. Oban were still in the game until the 57 minute when the game’s top scorer notched his second. Ross completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes. Newtonmore demolished Glenorchy 9-1 at the Eilan. Danny MacRae opened the scoring for the home side after only 8 minutes. Evan Menzies made it 2-0 just 3 minutes later but Glenorchy’s Kieran MacKay pulled a goal back after 16 minutes. Danny MacRae scored his second from the spot after 18 minutes and Menzies also scored his second on 35 minutes to give the blue and white hoops a 4-1 half time lead. ‘More scored 3 goals in a 5 minute spell at the start of the second half to wrap up the points. Glen MacKintosh made it 5-1 after 47 minutes and MacRae completed his hat-trick a couple of minutes later. Steven MacDonald made it 7-1 after 51 minutes and a further double from MacKintosh after 75 and 81 minutes completed his hat-trick and a 9-1 win. It remained Kingussie in the lead by 2 points with Newtonmore having a game in hand.
Newtonmore played their game in hand on 25 July 2009 when they beat Fort William 4-1 in the match of the day at the Eilan. The Fort had John MacDonald and Duncan Rodger available again but their resources were stretched and they promoted Victor Smith from the second team. The Fort were also without Drew Ferguson who has decide to play football for Fort William. This match was vital to both sides’ chances of winning the league and it was ‘More who knocked the leaders off the top spot. Danny MacRae confirmed his recent return to fitness with the only goal of the first half - moments before the break. MacRae doubled 'Mores lead on 51 minutes and Glen MacKintosh made it 3-0 on 70 minutes. The Fort pulled a goal back after 81 minutes when substitute Victor Smith set up James Clark to score. However Danny MacRae completed his hat-trick in injury time to make the final score 4-1 to the home side. The teams were now all square with 14 points each after 9 games – the half-way point in the championship race. It could scarcely have been closer as the sides were only separated by a 3 goals. Kingussie having scored 38 goals whilst conceding 13 to give a goal difference of +25 whilst Newtonmore scored 34 goals whilst conceding 12 to give a goal difference of +22.
The second half of the season brought more of the same. Neither side was fixtured a game on 29 July 2009 whilst only Kingussie were in action a week later on 1 August 2009 when they beat a stuffy Glenorchy side 3-1 at Dalmally. Ronald Ross had scored all of Kingussie’s last 13 goals and his hat-trick against bottom club Glenorchy at Dalmally took his tally to 17 goals in his last 5 league matches. This was the season’s first encounter between the sides and was played in very heavy conditions. Ross scored a first half double but Kieran MacKay pulled a goal back for the home side before the break. However Ross completed his hat-trick late in the second half. A familiar theme was developing – Kingussie led by 2 points but Newtonmore had a game in hand.
Neither team was in league action on 8 August 2009 whilst Newtonmore returned to action a week later on 15 August 2009. They beat Glenurquhart 5-1 at Blairbeg. Full centre Lewis MacLennan smashed a long range effort into the net after 10 minutes to give the home side the lead. However Glen MacKintosh leveled 8 minutes later. Paul MacArthur gave the men from the Eilan the lead after 21 minutes and when Glen’s Andrew Corrigan hit the bar, the Blairbeg men perhaps sensed that it wouldn’t be their day. MacKintosh notched his second to make it 3-1 just minutes before the break and Evan Menzies made it 4-1 on 61 minutes. Glen MacKintosh capped a fine performance when he completed his hat-trick on 73 minutes to seal a 5-1 win. This win not only left the sides all square on points but also reduced Kingussie’s goal difference advantage to a single goal.
Newtonmore took a points lead over Kingussie for the first time in the season on 22 August 2009 when they beat Fort William 3-0 at An Aird. A double from Danny MacRae and a Jamie Robinson strike won the points and put paid to Fort William’s title chances. This meant ‘More led by 2 points with Kingussie, who did not have a league fixture this weekend, having a game in hand.
Only Newtonmore were fixtured a league game again on 29 August 2009 and they had a 5-1 win over Lochaber at the Eilan. Newtonmore had to work for the points as the first half finished goalless. David Cheyne broke the deadlock 5 minutes into the second half and Glen MacKintosh added a second on 65 minutes. Daniel MacRae made it 3-0 on 71 minutes and Cheyne added his second 2 minutes later. Sean Nicolson pulled a goal back for Lochaber on 75 minutes but Evan Menzies made the final score 5-1 with a 79 minute strike and he ensured that all 4 Newtonmore forwards found the net. Newtonmore extended their lead to 4 points Kingussie of course held 2 games in hand.
Kingussie returned to league action after a 5 week absence on 5 September 2009 but slipped up following a 4-4 draw with Fort William. The match of the day between Fort William and Kingussie certainly lived up to its billing. The fixture was switched to the Dell when An Aird was ruled unplayable on Thursday. However Fort William manager Drew McNeill gave his Newtonmore counter-part Norman MacArthur a call ahead of making the decision to give up home advantage, explaining the Fort’s wish to play a game before the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final. MacArthur had no complaints and McNeill pointed out that he felt his side played well at the Dell and had earned a 2-2 draw there earlier in the season. Kingussie lined up with leading scorer Ronald Ross at buckshee back in place of the suspended James Hutchison and they took the lead through Russell Dallas after 12 minutes. Gary Innes leveled for the visitors after 32 minutes but a Fraser Munro strike a minute before the break looked to have given the Kings a 2-1 interval lead but Fort William's Gordie MacKinnon squared the match right on half time. The end to end nature of the game continued into the second period and Fraser Munro notched his second after 62 minutes to once again give his side the lead. Gary Innes made it 3-3 on 75 minutes as the excitement built for the remaining 15 minutes. Kevin Thain looked to have won the points for Kingussie with an 84 minutes strike to give Kingussie the lead for the fourth time in the match. However the Fort William players, who might be out of the title race, were playing for pride and a starting slot in the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final. Just as in the first half, Kingussie lost their lead in injury time when Bryan Simpson leveled an exciting match with a 92 minute strike which dealt a blow to Kingussie’s title hopes. King’s keeper Andrew Borthwick was sent off by Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final referee Ronnie Campbell following a melee after the final whistle. Newtonmore were in action 3 miles down the road where they beat Islanders Bute 2-0. However the Islanders made ‘More work for the points and, despite the home side’s dominance, the game remained goalless for the whole of the first half and 18 minutes into the second period. It was Newtonmore’s David Cheyne who proved to be the difference once again when he broke the deadlock to give his side a vital lead on 63 minutes. ‘More’s forward Danny MacRae secured the points with a goal 5 minutes from the end to complete a 2-0 victory. Newtonmore remain unbeaten in the league. ‘More now led by 5 points with Kings having 2 games in hand.
Both sides were again in action at home on 12 September 2009. Newtonmore continued their good run with a 4-0 win over Oban Camanachd at the Eilan Evan Menzies gave ‘More the lead with a goal after only 10 minutes. However that was the only goal of the first half and it was 10 minutes into the second period before David Cheyne made it 2-0. Menzies added his second after 67 minutes and Cheyne also notched a second 5 minutes later to give ‘More a 4-0 win. Kingussie did their goal difference no harm what-so-ever with a thumping 13-0 win over Glenorchy at the Dell. Kingussie were without suspended keeper Andrew Borthwick and Greg Dawson took over in goal. Paul Gow was injured and James Hutchison was serving the second match of his 3 game ban. Ronald Ross reverted to his more accustomed position up front and this proved significant. Just when it seemed as if Ross had broken all shinty known shinty records, he notched another memorable feat when he scored an incredible 10 goals The King’s eventually ran out 13-0 winners and the margin would have been even greater but for some fine saves from the Glenorchy keeper. Ross scored a double hat-trick in the first half with goals after 7, 20, 27, 32, 40 and 43 minutes to give the Kings a 6-0 interval lead. He knocked in another 4 in the second half with goals after 65, 74, 85 and 88 minutes. The 10 goals included one penalty – the 40 minute strike. Just for the record, Ryan Borthwick scored on 59 minutes and Kevin Thain notched a double on 68 and 79 minutes. This win provided a massive boost to the King’s goal difference and they are now a goal better off than ‘More. However they still trail their rivals by 5 points but with a couple of games in hand. The league position remained the same.
It was home fixtures for both sides for the third week in a row on 26 September 2009 and both were again victorious. Newtonmore had an impressive 8-0 win over Inveraray at the Eilan. The ‘More forwards were again prominent with David Cheyne and Danny MacRae each grabbing a hat-trick. Evan Menzies and Steven MacDonald completed the rout for the league leaders. Kingussie beat Bute 4-1 at the Dell. The Kings were without James Hutchison, John Gibson, Gary Munro and keeper Andrew Borthwick but they didn’t let that affect them. Kevin Thain gave them a 2 minute lead against Bute at the Dell. Ronald Ross made it 2-0 after 14 minutes and although Robert Walker pulled a goal back after 65 minutes, Louis Munro restored the home side’s advantage with a 80 minute strike. Ross retired early requiring stitches to a knee injury. The Kings even introduced 15 year old Thomas Borthwick and he marked the occasion by making it 4-1 just 5 minutes from the end. Newtonmore continued to lead by 5 points but Kingussie had 2 crucial games in hand.
The weather started to take its toll on 3 October 2009 with Kingussie’s trip to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore’s trip to Spean Bridge to face Lochaber both succumbing to unplayable pitches. Kingussie were particularly unhappy as they had traveled all the way to Tighnabruaich before the match was called off. This was to prove to be the start of a 6 week period without a game for Newtonmore.
Kingussie played one of their games in hand on 10 October 2009 when they beat Inveraray 8-4 in their fourth consecutive match at the Dell. The Kings went in to the game knowing that they needed to keep winning their league matches to keep the pressure on leaders Newtonmore and they were boosted with John Hutchison’s return from suspension. They also had Ronald Ross to thank once again as his double hat-trick took his tally for the season to an incredible 81 goals which doesn’t include 4 in the abandoned Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup game against Kyles Athletic. There was little sign of the goals avalanche during the first period. Kevin Thain gave the home side the lead in only 3 minutes only for Inveraray’s Scott Robertson to equalise 5 minutes later. Ronald Ross restored Kingussie’s advantage on 13 minutes only for Robertson to score his second a minute later to leave the sides all square at the break. A double from Ross in just 3 minutes – he found the net on 49 and 51 minutes – completed his hat-trick and made it 4-2 to the Kings and Ryan Borthwick made it 5-2 just a couple of minutes later. Inveraray fought back with a Neil Andrews goal on 55 minutes to make it 5-3. However the visitors had no answer to Ronald Ross and he scored 3 more goals on 66, 79 and 84 minutes to seal the points. Alasdair Munro netted for Inveraray 3 minutes from the end which made the final score 8-4. This reduced the gap to 3 points and Kingussie were set to play their game in hand the following weekend.
Kingussie traveled to Bute on 17 October 2009 to play their second game in hand and secured a priceless 2 points following a narrow 2-1 win. Not for the first time, the King’s gave thanks for Ronald Ross as the game’s top goalscorer blasted 2 backhand efforts past Kevin Queen on 15 minutes and 25 minutes to gave his side a 2-0 half time lead. Stewart Strathie pulled a goal back for Bute with a strike 15 minutes from time but Jimmy Gow’s side saw out the remainder of the game to clinch the points. This reduced Newtonmore’s advantage to a single point with each having played 15 matches. There were just 3 games to go!
Kingussie were in action again on 24 October 2009. Newtonmore know how difficult a trip to Mossfield can be having already dropped a point there earlier this season and the Kings also found the men from Oban to be a tough nut to crack. Once again the Kings had Ronald Ross to thank as the game’s leading scorer waded in with a double – the first of which was a controversial penalty. However Craig MacMillan gave the home side a 1-0 interval lead but a Ross double looked to have won the points for the league’s reigning champions. However Johnathan Will scored for Oban Camanachd just 5 minutes from time to ensure a share of the points. The sides were now level on 26 points but Newtonmore held a game in hand.
One of the most anticipated Badenoch derbies in years took place on 7 November 2009. A Newtonmore win would see them only needing only a point from their 2 remaining games. Even a point would still leave them in the driving seat. However ‘More had not played for 6 weeks whilst their neighbours had been in action the 3 previous Saturdays. Kingussie simply had to win. A crowd of over 2,000 congregated on the Dell for this much anticipated encounter. If fact almost every shinty club in Scotland seemed to have representatives scattered amongst the crowd which engulfed the pitch. Both sides were at full strength and 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 held a 2 point advantage but Newtonmore had a game in hand.
Newtonmore played their game in hand on 14 November 2009 against Lochaber at Spean Bridge. Norman MacArthur’s side knew that despite the disappointment of the previous weekend, a win would take them level on points with Kingussie once again. With one match for each club remaining after this weekend, goal difference was clearly going to make a huge difference. Kingussie had scored 77 goals and conceded 27 giving them a goal difference of +50 with one match remaining. Newtonmore had scored 62 goals and conceded 17 giving them a goal difference of +45 with two matches remaining. Newtonmore didn’t just need to beat Lochaber; they also needed to score a few goals to help swing the goal difference in their favour. ‘More were without suspended Scott Campbell who’s season is over but they included David Cheyne for one last match. The match was played on a heavy surface and in the end; the sides were separated by a Danny MacRae strike a minute before the break. In the end the fact they had to settle for a single goal victory was down to excellent goal keeping from Lochaber’s Angus Morrison and some missed chances on a heavy surface. Lochaber could have done themselves and Kingussie a great turn in the closing minutes but they failed to score from a Ben Delaney effort. Kingussie were fixtured to play their last match of the season against Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. The pitch was deemed unplayable in midweek and the venue was switch to Invergarry as all other South pitches were unavailable. However a bereavement in Tighnabruaich led to Kyles asking for the match to be postponed. The sides were once again level on points – 28 each – with Kingussie holding a 4 goal advantage.
All focus then switched to 21 November 2009. Kingussie were to travel to Tighnabruaich to play Kyles Athletic and Newtonmore were on the road to play Inveraray at the Winterton. However the weather intervened. The clash between Kyles Athletic and Kingussie was switched to Dunoon after the pitch at Tighnabruaich was deemed unplayable. However the Dunoon pitch also proved unavailable so the Camanachd Association switched the venue to Beauly’s Braeview Park. However Kyles Athletic refused to travel north to fulfill the fixture and the Camanachd Association docked them 2 points and rescheduled the fixture for 5 December 2009. The match between Inveraray and Newtonmore was also subject to a venue change when the Winterton was ruled unplayable. The match was switched to Yoker, Glasgow but that too was unplayable so the game eventually took place at Lovat’s Balgate pitch. This exciting tussle was a throw back to the days of winter shinty. The match was played on a cold, crisp afternoon with a blast of heavy rain thrown in during the last 15 minutes. However there was plenty action and commitment on the field of play keep the large support warm, many who had traveled from across the country to watch this one. In fact it was one of the few shinty matches to have 3 ends! There was the Inveraray end for all the hardy soles who had travelled north for the game. There was the Newtonmore end who traveled from Badenoch to cheer on their favourites. There was also the Kingussie end as Jimmy Gow and several of his players traveled to Balgate after a Saturday morning training session to learn what task would lie ahead of them in their final fixture. Inveraray were without Graeme MacPherson who was unavailable and he could have started in goal. Newtonmore missed the suspended Scott Campbell and David Cheyne who is abroad. However Glen MacKintosh returned after illness and he was pushed forward into the attack. Scottish international Paul MacArthur took over the full centre role where he turned in an impressive performance as did Owen Fraser in MacArthur’s wing centre position. The challenge to Newtonmore was primarily to win the game but also hopefully score enough goals to put some pressure on Kingussie in their final match and they started the game in determined fashion. Following a couple of early threats on the Inveraray goal, ‘More took the lead. The Inveraray defence paid the price for standing off the Newtonmore forwards and Danny MacRae took advantage as he swiveled and fired the ball past Chris Crawford into the net. However Newtonmore were shocked after 10 minutes when hesitancy in their defence allowed Inveraray’s Grant Griffen to slot home the equaliser. The men from the Eilan responded though and set siege on the Inveraray goal. They were awarded a free hit on the right after 21 minutes for a shove on the back. Paul MacArthur played the ball into the danger area and found Glen MacKintosh who took one touch before blasting the ball into the net. ‘More almost made it 3-1 just a minute later when the impressive Danny MacRae was involved in a goal mouth scramble. On 32 minutes, Evan Menzies burst through on goal but his shot was well saved by Crawford. However the keepers clearance landed at the feet of Glen MacKintosh who had time to pick his spot and give Newtonmore a 3-1 lead. This should have been the cue for Newtonmore to press home their advantage and do some damage to Kingussie’s goal difference advantage. Fraser MacKintosh was mopping up most things in the ‘More defence, although one clearance brought a tear to the eye of his manager Norman MacArthur, as it hit him in a rather painful area! Rather than increase their advantage, Newtonmore found themselves under pressure in the closing minutes of the first half. Inveraray’s Scott Robertson saw his shot on target blocked by a Newtonmore defender on the goal line on 37 minutes at the expense of a corner. Michael Ritchie reacted well to save an effort from the corner. Inveraray pulled a goal back on 41 minutes when Scott Robertson pounced first to stab the ball past Ritchie as the keeper tried to clear the ball. Inveraray then ensured that they went into he break on level terms when Grant Griffen found space in front of goal and he made no mistake as he lashed the ball past Ritchie to make it 3-3. Newtonmore restored their lead 10 minutes into the second period when the Inveraray defence failed to cleared their lines and Glen MacKintosh to full advantage to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-3. Inveraray had a great chance to equalise just 4 minutes later when Scott Robertson was played in one-on-one with Michael Ritchie. However his shot took the merest deflection off the keeper for a corner. This was a turning point as 10 minutes later as Evan Menzies accepted a poor clearance by the Inveraray defence and promptly made it 5-3. Newtonmore then piled pressure on the Inveraray goal. However a combination of some great blocks from an Inveraray defence well marshaled by Andrew MacMurdo and some wayward shooting meant there was no further score. Newtonmore went 2 points clear at the top but Kingussie had a 2 goal advantage in goal difference with a game in hand. The permutations are now quite simple. If Kingussie beat Kyles Athletic in their final match, they will be champions once again. Any other result will take the title and the mother of all parties to the Eilan.
The match between Kyles Athletic and Kingussie was originally scheduled for Tighnabruaich on 5 December 2009 however the pitch was deemed unplayable. Dunoon was investigated as an alternative venue but it had been booked by the local football club so the match went ahead at Oban Camanachd’s Mossfield Park. Kingussie needed a win to ensure first team manager Jimmy Gow’s tenure ended on a high. Any other outcome would have left Newtonmore as champions. Kingussie had not played since they beat Newtonmore on 7 October 2009 and they were without the suspended Ally MacLeod in defence. Kyles came into the game on the back of a 5-2 win over Bute. If there were any Kingussie nerves then they were settled after just 12 minutes when Ronald Ross found the back of the net to give his side the lead. Kyles had no real answer to Ross and the Kingussie talisman took advantage of the wide open spaces on the Mossfield pitch to rack up 4 first half goals to give the King’s an unassailable 4-0 interval lead. He scored his second on 33 minutes and completed his hat-trick 2 minutes later. Ross notched his fourth on the stroke of half time to ensure Kingussie had one hand firmly on the championship. The goals dried up in the second period with Kingussie knowing that the game was won and Kyles showing nothing like the form which saw them beat the Badenoch men on 2 occasions earlier in the season. Ryan Borthwick made it 5-0 on 78 minutes and although David Martin’s goal in the last minute was a quality strike, it was little more than a consolation for Kyles.
A delighted Kingussie celebrated their success as captain Russell Dallas was presented with the league title and his team avoided ending the season trophy-less. It’s to Newtonmore’s credit that they ran the Kings so close and losing 3 out of 4 points in the head to head battles between the team’s made ‘More’s task all the more difficult. What cannot be denied is that it the title race brought entertainment to the very end of the season and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t expect more of the same 2010 with perhaps even more teams involved at the top of the table.