Northern California Camanachd's Scotland tour has got off to a fantastic start.
They arrived in Scotland on Friday 16 September 2011 for a week-long visit.
The following day the Californian party attended the classic Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final at the Bught Park, Inverness between Newtonmore and Kingussie with Newtonmore beating their rivals 4-3 after extra time. Indeed Michael Bentley was a lineman for the MacMaster Cup Final in the morning between Skye Camanachd U14 and Fort William U14 which the Islanders won 2-1.
NCC then headed for Balgate to play a Lovat in an entertaining mixed sides match on Sunday 18 September 2011 which was refereed by Graeme MacMillan. The NCC side was boosted by the inclusion of several of the Lovat players selected for the Scotland U21 preparation squad including James MacPherson, Callum Cruden and Greg Matheson. Referee Evan Macrae also made an appearance. Stuart MacDonald, Drew Howie, Lewis Twase, Jimmy MacKenzie, Ryan Ferguson and Jamie Matheson all turned out for Lovat. In the end the spoils were shared with Greg Matheson and Callum Cruden scoring for NCC whilst a Jamie Matheson double counted for Lovat.
Next up for NCC is a trip to Skye to renew friendships with the Islanders. They will stay at the Tongadale Hotel in Portree and they'll meet up with the Skye folk on Monday 19 September 2011.