The 2009 shinty season came to an end on Saturday 12 December 2009 as Bute secured their Scottish Premier Division status with a 3-1 win over Oban Camanachd at Mossfield.

The Scottish Hydro Premier Division’s only outstanding issue was settled when Bute beat Oban Camanachd 3-1 at Mossfield. They result meant that Bute will play in the 2010 Premier Division whilst Lochaber are relegated to North Division1.  

Bute kept their survival hopes alive with a 4-1 win over Inveraray last weekend and their victory over Oban Camanachd completes a remarkable escape act which relegates Lochaber in the process.

Oban Camanachd hadn’t played since 24 October 2009 when they drew with champions Kingussie whilst Bute had played the previous 2 weekends.  

Bute took an early lead when Stewart Strathie scored after 9 minutes with a shot which squirmed past the Oban keeper. However they had keeper Kevin Queen to thank for retaining this advantage until the break.

Bute went 2-0 up 10 minutes into the second half when Robert Walker volleyed a terrific individual goal.

Oban Camanachd narrowed the deficit through a Scott MacMillan screamer and their performance was such that they certainly could not be accused of lying down to their south opponents. Indeed Bute were forced to pull Scotland senior international Hector Whitelaw back from the forward line into defence as they fought desperately to hold on to their slender lead against a side who new that victory would give them a third place finish.

Bute scored their vital third goal when veteran Ally Carmichael smashed the ball into the back of the net and in the process clinched the points to spark celebrations on the Island on securing their top division status.

The result is a cruel blow to a young Lochaber side who have had a torturous few weeks as they have only been able to watch from the sidelines since they lost to Newtonmore 4 weeks ago. The Spean Bridge side looked to have done enough to stay up but they now drop to an extremely competitive North Division 1 and they will likely start as favourites to return to the Premier Division at the end of next season.