Portree High School finished a credible second in the first round of the Women's Camanachd Association Schools’ League in Portree on Wednesday 22 September 2010.
Helen Lamond was unavailable for Portree. Portree A opened with a 3-0 win over the Portree B team thanks to goals from Lorna MacRae, Nicola MacSween and Caitlin MacLean who was making her High School debut.
Portree B was co-captained by Rosalind Lamond and Jennifer MacKinnon and they led their young team on a goal spree against Dingwall with Rosalind, Kristen MacBeth and debutant Fiona MacDonald all grabbing fine goals. Jennifer MacKinnon and Sarah Nicolson were solid at the back but there will no mention of "Roz" missing two penalties!
Portree A then faced Kingussie, a team in a rebuilding process at the moment having lost several cracking senior pupils over the last few years. MacLean, MacRae, MacSween and Emma Nicolson (who cheekily poached the last goal) gave Portree a good start to the tournament proper. (Portree B's games did not count for ranking points in the WCA league.)
Portree B faced off against champions Lochaber and didn't they do well, the final scoreline was not at all a reflection on either the balance of play or the efforts of the young Portree B team. Rosalind Lamond shackled Beth MacDonald very well until she was forced off after a nasty crack on the hand. Sarah Nicolson was again impressive at the back.
Portree A then played poorly against Dingwall but still came away with a good scoreline, Lorna MacRae hit the crossbar early on but strikes from herself, Caitlin MacLean and Nicola MacSween (with a sweet backhand drive) meant it was in the end a comfortable victory.
Portree A were set up for a final match with Lochaber who had had two tough games against Kingussie and Dingwall. One of the Dingwall players was unfortunately badly hurt in a challenge towards the end of their game with Lochaber but she made a fine recovery and the glue in her chin didn't stop her enjoying the post competition hospitality.
Portree B played their final game against Kingussie and unfortunately they weren't able to put the ball in the back of the net although Rebecca MacDonald put in her usual hard battling shift at full-forward.
The final showdown with Lochaber unfortunately ended up in a familiar tale for Portree A. In what was perhaps Portree's finest performance against Lochaber to date, Marie MacKinnon gave Beth MacDonald as good as she got in the centre of the park but with just one moment of space she scored an unstoppable drive, Zoe Smith put the result beyond doubt and it was fitting that Zoe, who had scored most of Lochaber's goals through the day, received the Player of the Tournament award. Her goals for Lochaber were the difference in a very tight competition and her father is of course Victor Smith and the man of the match award at the Camanachd Cup Final is dedicated to her Great Grandfather Albert Smith.
Beth MacDonald picked up the winner's certificates from Ms Catherine MacDonald, Portree High School Headmistress and Jenny Morrison went up to pick up the Runners Up certificates on behalf of Portree.
Portree High School coach Eoghan Stewart said, "It shows how far we've come over the last three years that the girls are quite down about finishing second. Last year they would have been delighted but it’s a good sign that they are not satisfied with second best and I think with some hard work and a little bit of luck we should be aiming to beat Lochaber over the piece this year."
"I was also absolutely delighted with how the Portree B team played. There are so many girls coming to training I had to give at least a few the opportunity to play and they took it with both hands. I really want to thank Jennifer MacKinnon and Rosalind Lamond for stepping down to the B team to help the young ones. Roz in particular was real leader on the park, but I’m delighted with all the girls on both sides today."
Thank are due to Wilma MacRuary and all the pupils who helped set up the day and make it a big success.
Rankings from Round 1
Lochaber 8 pts
Portree A 6 pts
Kingussie 4 pts
Portree B 2 pts
Dingwall 0 pts