Only eight senior shinty fixtures beat the wet weather but Kilmallie won the Marine Harvest National Division, Aberdeen University clinched the Marine Harvest North Division 2 title and Tayforth won Marine Harvest South Division 2 following the shinty action on Saturday 24 September 2016.
Marine Harvest Premiership
Newtonmore 4 Oban Camanachd 1
Oban Camanachd and Newtonmore were originally scheduled to meet in a 1pm throw up at Mossfield. However a contingency plan was in place so when Mossfield was ruled unplayable, the game was switched to the Eilan with a 3.30pm throw up.
The sides had of course met in the Camanachd Cup Final a week earlier when Newtonmore took the honours with a 1-0 victory. The home side made just one change to their starting line-up as forward Neil Stewart was out after suffering a dislocated knee in that game. Fraser MacKintosh started in his place with Chris Sellar coming onto the bench. Paul MacArthur was free to play but he will miss this Saturday’s league trip to Kirkton to play Kinlochshiel through suspension.
Oban Camanachd defender Scott MacKillop was also free to play but, like MacArthur, his booking in the Camanachd Cup Final results in a one game ban and he will sit out this weekend’s trip to Balgate to face Lovat. Scotland U17 player Ross MacMillan was given a start in defence with James MacMillan pushed into midfield.
Oban Camanachd started well and they created several chances early on but they couldn’t turn their play into goals.
They were punished when Glen MacKintosh gave Newtonmore a 22 minute lead with a shot from around 20 yards out which deflected off an Oban defender on its way past the keeper.
Fraser MacKintosh made it 2-0 just 4 minutes later. His goal was another 20 yard effort with his neat, low drive finding the bottom corner of Gavin Stobbart’s goal.
And that’s the way it stayed until 10 minutes from time when Lorne Dickie pulled a goal back to make it 2-1 with a long range shot that dipped into the top of Owen Fraser’s net.
With Oban pushing for a leveller, Newtonmore took advantage to score twice more to put gloss on the win. Their third was a very well-worked team goal which cut open the Oban defence and the move was finished off by an unmarked Conor Jones who remained composed right in front of goal to slip the ball home with 86 minutes played.
‘More substitute Chris Sellar made it 4-1 on the stroke of full time with a fantastic individual goal. Sellar ran straight through the Oban defence before knocking the ball past the keeper to score.
The final winning margin was harsh on Oban Camanachd and they have the chance to bounce back this Saturday when they head for Balgate to play Lovat in the league. However Andrew MacCuish will be a doubt for that game after taking a blow to the thumb.
Newtonmore simply have that winning habit and their consistency again this season is to be admired. Their squad is the strongest in shinty by some way and they know that a win over Kinlochshiel at Kirkton this coming Saturday will give them a seventh straight Marine Harvest Premiership title.
Lochaber 2 Glenurquhart 2
Lochaber and Glenurquhart both picked up a valuable point in their quest to beat the drop as they drew 2-2 at a wet Spean Bridge.
The Spean Bridge pitch passed a mid-morning pitch inspection when most other games on the west coast fell foul of the weather.
Lochaber midfielder Barry MacDonald was banned but forward Stuart Callison returned to the squad.
A knee injury will keep Glenurquhart keeper Stuart MacKintosh out for the rest of the season so Iain MacLeod again deputised in goal. David Smart is another who won’t feature this season through injury. Forward James MacPherson was included in the Glen squad. Work commitments have restricted his appearances to second team level this season and he was part of the Glen squad which were Strathdearn Cup runners up.
Neale Reid got Glenurquhart off to a great start with a goal after 5 minutes. Reid took a pass from the wing before turning and his shot from the around penalty area bounced into the corner of the net.
Lochaber equalised through Kevin Ferguson on 17 minutes. Ferguson hit a clean strike from around 30 yards out which went into the top corner of Iain MacLeod’s net.
There was more delight for the home support when Stuart Callison gave Lochaber the lead with a tidy finish on 53 minutes.
However Lochaber only stayed in front for 60 seconds. Neale Reid gathered possession on the wing and he played a long ball to Andrew Corrigan who had made a run down the opposite flank. Corrigan played a first time cross to James MacPherson who ran onto the ball just outside the D and he rifled a shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-2.
The outcome doesn’t suit Skye who are currently in the second relegation spot and they now trail eighth place Lochaber by four points although they do have two matches in hand. Skye’s final four matches are at home to Kingussie, away to Kinlochshiel, at home to Fort William and away to Newtonmore.
Lochaber have still to play Fort William at Spean Bridge – they meet this coming Saturday - and Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich a week later.
Seventh placed Glenurquhart are two points better off than Lochaber but they have played a game more. Their final league match of the season is at home to Kyles Athletic this coming Saturday.
Skye Camanachd P Fort William P
An 8am Saturday morning pitch inspection put paid to the game between Skye Camanachd and Fort William. The heavy rain over the previous 24 hours had left the Pairc nan Laoch pitch waterlogged.
The fixture has been rescheduled for Saturday 15 October 2016.
Kinlochshiel P Lovat P
The 3pm throw up between Kinlochshiel and Lovat was postponed on Saturday morning as Kirkton was left unplayable following the heavy rain over the previous day.
This clash has been rescheduled for Saturday 15 October 2016.
Kyles Athletic P Kingussie P
The meeting between Kyles Athletic and Kingussie was postponed on Saturday morning as the Playing Field at Tighnabruaich was deemed unplayable.
The game has been rescheduled for Saturday 29 October 2016.
Marine Harvest National Division
Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Kilmallie 2
Kilmallie are Marine Harvest National Division champions after they beat second placed Glasgow Mid Argyll 2-0 at a wet and windy Yoker.
With the wet weather continuing into Saturday, GMA did well to get the game played. Kilmallie had to endure some difficult travel conditions on their journey south. However it was worthwhile as they maintained their unbeaten league record, notching a tenth win from thirteen league fixtures.
GMA were without Mark Bain who failed a late fitness test.
Kilmallie travelled without Ryan Stewart and Robbie MacFadyen who were both on holiday.
The weather was a major contributory factor as both times found it hard to strike up any rhythm to their first half play. Kilmallie had the better of the opening exchanges but GMA defended well. GMA then enjoyed a period of pressure but the closest we came to a first half a goal was a Liam MacDonald shot which was well saved by GMA keeper Jonathon Oates.
Kilmallie started the second half well and GMA, who lost young forward Calum McLay through injury in the first half, suffered a huge blow soon after the restart when full back Ryan Harrison took an accidental blow to the ribs when trying to block a Liam MacDonald volley. There was a stoppage for around 15 minutes when Harrison received medical attention and an ambulance was called. A badly bruised Harrison was kept in hospital overnight for observation after being diagnosed with a pneumothorax of the lung.
When play restarted it was Kilmallie who took advantage and they took the lead on 50 minutes when Michael Rodger scored. There was a touch of fortune to the goal as the ball took a couple of deflections on the way into the net.
The remainder of the contest was a tense affair and Kilmallie had to twice rely on keeper Shane Gilles to keep them ahead with two tremendous saves from shots from distance. First, Gillies tipped a John McNulty volley from the middle of the park over the bar. He then denied Jack Berg, keeping out a great 30 yard shot.
With Duncan Rodger influential in their forward line, Kilmallie also forced some good stops from GMA custodian Jonathon Oates.
It was Kilmallie who sealed the win and the championship with a goal a couple of minutes from time. Liam MacDonald sparked the celebrations when he followed up after a Duncan Rodger shot had been blocked and MacDonald used his long reach to get to the ball ahead of a defender and he flicked it into the net to make it 2-0.
Kilmallie will be presented with the Marine Harvest National Division trophy following this coming Saturday’s league match against Beauly at the Canal Parks.
GMA are still in a very strong position to join Kilmallie in shinty’s top flight next season. With two matches remaining, they are ahead of third placed Inveraray, who have completed their league fixtures, on goal difference. Beauly are four points behind GMA but they have two matches still to play. This means that GMA currently require just one point from their final match of the season, at home to Caberfeidh this coming weekend, to guarantee top flight shinty in 2017.
Caberfeidh 1 Inveraray 3
Third placed Inveraray ended their season on a high when they beat Caberfeidh 3-1 in their 3pm throw up at Castle Leod.
Caberfeidh were understrength with Ally MacLennan again amongst their absentees. Indeed five of the Caberfeidh players also featured in their reserve team match at the same venue earlier in the day.
Inveraray were without the injured Garry MacPherson but he did travel, assuming the role of goal judge. The injured Lewis Montgomery also made the journey north to lend his support whilst Ross Montgomery and Douglas Dando were also missing.
Inveraray took the early initiative and they went in front after 7 minutes when Grant Griffin pounced following a good save from Cabers keeper Ewan Pilcher and he put the rebound into the net.
Visiting captain Allan MacDonald made it 2-0 on the half hour mark. Wing centre David MacPherson sent in a shy which Andrew McMurdo chested down before laying the ball off to MacDonald and he fired a rocket-shot into the top corner of the net.
The Inveraray forward line of Andrew McMurdo, David Robertson, Allan MacDonald and Grant Griffin were excellent in the first half. Whilst they perhaps aren’t the quickest unit, they let the ball do the moving for them and they were a constant threat to the Caberfeidh goal.
Just 5 minutes after MacDonald’s strike, Inveraray added a third. Good work from Grant Griffin on the wing started a move which involved all four forwards. The move ended when David Robertson found himself unmarked at the back post and he steered a shot into the bottom corner of the goal.
Caberfeidh’s Ruaraidh MacLeman pulled a goal back on 40 minutes. Craig Morrison launched a shot from midfield which Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan saved well but MacLeman was quickest to react and he forced the ball home to make it 3-1 at half time.
Inveraray made changes to give substitutes Robert Wood and player / manager Ruaridh Graham a run out.
Cabers came back into the game in the second half but the make-shift Inveraray half back pairing of Ally MacDonald and Lewis MacNicol played well in their unfamiliar roles.
The remainder of the match was end to end with both sides using the rolling substitutes to good effect but there was no further scoring.
This was Inveraray final match of the season and they will likely finish in third place unless Beauly win their final two fixtures.
Fifth placed Caberfeidh have one game to go; away to Glasgow Mid Argyll this Saturday.
Ballachulish P Beauly P
The encounter between Ballachulish and Beauly was postponed as Jubilee Park was unplayable. The fixture has been rescheduled for Saturday 8 October 2016 and it is Balla’s only remaining match this season whilst Beauly travel to the Canal Parks this coming Saturday to play Kilmallie.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
Newtonmore 7 Glenurquhart 1
Newly crowned league champions Newtonmore seconds beat their Glenurquhart counter-parts 7-1 in their 1.30pm throw up at the Eilan.
Iain Robinson gave ‘More the lead on 10 minutes whilst a Kenny Ross strike on 40 minutes made it 2-0 at the break.
Newtonmore turned the screw in the second half. David Cheyne added a third a minute after the restart and two goals in a couple of minutes gave Iain Robinson a hat-trick. The youngster made it 4-0 in 59 minutes before he netted again a minute later.
Indeed it was Iain Robinson who got his fourth goal of the game on 83 minutes to make it 6-0 and Duncan Gorman made it 7-0 just a couple of minutes later.
Callum Miller notched a consolation goal for the Glen a minute from time.
Newtonmore play their final league fixture this coming Saturday when neighbours Kingussie visit the Eilan. Cammy MacDonald’s ‘More side will be presented with the league trophy after the game.
Kingussie W/O v Lovat
Kingussie were given a walk-over when the Lovat second team were unable to raise a team for their match at the Dell. This is a blow to Lovat’s survival hopes and the game has been rescheduled for Saturday 15 October 2016.
Kinlochshiel P Skye Camanachd P
The noon throw up between the Kinlochshiel and Skye Camanachd second teams was switched to Battery Park, Lochcarron when a Friday afternoon pitch inspection ruled that Kirkton would not be able to host two matches.
However a Saturday morning pitch inspection also ruled Battery Park unplayable. The match has been rescheduled for Saturday 8 October 2016.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Oban Celtic P Kyles Athletic P
The 4pm throw up between Oban Celtic and the Kyles Athletic second team was postponed as Mossfield was unplayable. The game has been rescheduled for Saturday 8 October 2016 at Mossfield with a 3pm throw up.
A number of the Oban Celtic players head for Hamburg this coming Saturday for player David Hill’s stag party. The club can then look forward to being presented with the Marine Harvest South Division 1 trophy following the Kyles game a week later which is their last game of the season.
Taynuilt P Aberdour P
The meeting between Taynuilt and Aberdour at the Taynuilt Sports Field was postponed on Saturday morning as the pitch was unplayable. The fixture has been rescheduled for Saturday 15 October 2016. .
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Caberfeidh 2 Lochcarron 2
Lochcarron twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with the Caberfeidh second team in their noon throw up at Castle Leod.
Cabers veteran Graham MacGregor gave his side the lead with a goal after just 7 minutes but 17 year old Lachlan Dean Morrice scored after 20 minutes to pull Lochcarron level and the first half ended all square.
Graham MacGregor got his and Caberfeidh’s second goal on 52 minutes and that’s the way it stayed until late in the game.
Whilst the home side had the better of the first half, Lochcarron were better after the interval and they got a deserved equaliser when David MacCuish scored with just 10 minutes remaining of what was a good, close game.
The dropped point from second placed Lochcarron means Aberdeen University, who last played at the end of August, are crowned Marine Harvest North Division 2 champions ahead of this coming weekend’s trip to Battery Park to play Lochcarron.
Inverness 7 Glengarry 3
The highest scoring match of the day was at the Bught Park where the Inverness second team beat Glengarry 7-3.
Three goals in a 4 minute burst midway through the first half gave Inverness control of this match. Youngster Jack Craig gave them the lead after 24 minutes and Stuart MacRae made it 2-0 a couple of minutes later before getting his second and his side’s third just a minute afterwards.
A second from Jack Craig on the stroke of half time made it 4-0 before the sides turned around.
Ruaridh MacDonald pulled a goal back for ‘Garry on 56 minutes with a shot from distance only for Stuart MacRae to complete his hat-trick a couple of minutes later to make it 5-1.
Inverness player Matthew Ross scored against his former club on the hour mark before Glengarry rallied and Dale Scott bagged a quick-fire brace with goals on 70 and 74 minutes to make it 6-3.
However Inverness had the final say and Matthew Ross got his second on 81 minutes to round off a fine 7-3 victory.
The win lifts Inverness to eighth place in the league, above Lewis Camanachd on goal difference.
Kilmallie P Strathspey Camanachd P
There was a Saturday mid-morning postponement of the match between the Kilmallie second team and Strathspey Camanachd as the Canal Parks was water-logged.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Kilmory 2 Tayforth 2
Tayforth have all but clinched Marine Harvest South Division 2 title after they drew 2-2 with Kilmory in their 2pm throw up at MacRae Park.
The influential Orsten Gardiner was suspended for the visitors as his booking in the Bullough Cup Final win over Kilmory a fortnight ago took him through the disciplinary points threshold.
The weather conditions made it difficult for both sides. It was wet and windy and the surface was heavy but both teams showed great endeavour in tricky circumstances.
Hal Jones put Kilmory in front to the delight of the home support. However former Lochaber player Connor Sweeney drew Tayforth level.
Ex-Kingussie player Hamish Anderson put Tayforth in front only for a David MacAllister goal to draw Kilmory level.
Kilmory had late chances to win but Tayforth closed out the game to get the point that keeps them out in front in the title race.
The draw means Tayforth will add the league title to the Bullough Cup won earlier in the season if they avoid defeat against the Bute second team next weekend.
Dunoon Camanachd P Aberdour P
There was disappointment for Dunoon and the Aberdour second team as an unplayable pitch meant that their match has been rescheduled for this coming weekend.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report says differently. The match reports will be updated as more information becomes available)
(The action shot with a difference from the match between Caberfeidh and Inveraray comes courtesy of Tina Marshall)