The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 26 October 2019 | |
27 October 2019 Champions Kingussie were presented with the Mowi Premiership trophy and Badenoch were crowned Mowi National Division winners following the shinty action on Saturday 26 October 2019 and Sunday 27 October 2019.
Mowi Premiership Kyles Athletic 1 Kingussie 0 It was title celebration day for champions Kingussie as they were presented Mowi National Premiership trophy following their match with Kyles Athletic at Tighnabruaich. However the match itself went the home side’s way as they won for the fourth successive game; inflicting only Kingussie’s second league defeat of the season – the other coming at home to Lovat - in the process. Colin MacDonald returned for Kyles Athletic but Neil MacVicar joined Thomas Whyte on the absentee list. Conor Kennedy was also back but he was held in reserve with Murdo MacRae and Jack Whyte. Innes MacDonald replaced MacVicar in defence. James Falconer returned for Kingussie and he started on the bench alongside Owen Reid, Craig Dawson and Cameron Leiper. However Fraser Munro and James Hutchison were both unavailable. The only goal of the game came after just 5 minutes and there looked to be a touch of good fortune about it. Kyles put together some nice build up play, working the ball wide to Robbie MacLeod near the corner flag. MacLeod lofted the ball into the goal area and Colin MacDonald jumped with an outstretched arm, raising his caman with one hand, and the ball deflected by keeper Rory MacGregor from the edge of the D although the final touch may have come off the club of Kingussie defender Robert Mabon. The victory means Kyles stay third, a point ahead of Oban Camanachd with both sides having two matches remaining. After the final whistle, Kingussie skipper Robert Mabon stepped forward to receive the Premiership trophy from Alistair Geddes from sponsors Mowi and it now sits next to the Artemis Macaulay Cup in the Kings’ trophy cabinet.
Oban Camanachd 4 Newtonmore 1 Oban Camanachd beat Newtonmore for the second time in the Mowi Premiership this season; winning 4-1 in their 12.30pm throw up at Mossfield. A broken finger has ended Malcolm Clark’s season whilst Oban Camanachd continued to be without Willie Neilson and Aidan MacIntyre whist Keith MacMillan was also unavailable. Daniel Cameron started at full back with Chrissie MacMillan, Daniel MacCuish, Lewis Buchanan and Daniel Madej making up a fast forward line. Craig Easton retained his place in the defence. Daniel MacVicar was delayed through work commitments so he started on the bench along with Blair MacFarlane, Ross Campbell and Gary McKerracher. Newtonmore’s Andy MacKintosh returned after serving a one-match suspension whilst Ewen Fraser was also back. Iain Robinson recovered from injury to take a place on the bench. ‘More were without Fraser MacKintosh whilst Glen MacKintosh and Steven Macdonald were still missing although the latter was a goal judge. On a cold day, it was wet ahead of throw up although the sun did make an appearance through the showers as both sides lined-up for their penultimate matches of the season. Newtonmore created the game’s first real opportunity and, after good play from Evan Menzies on the right, Michael Russell’s low show was well saved with his feet by Oban Camanachd keeper Cameron Sutherland at the expense of a corner. However it was Newtonmore who took the lead on 12 minutes. Craig Easton won the ball at the back and found Andrew MacCuish on the left of the midfield, in front of the main stand. MacCuish’s low diagonal ball forward was flicked on by Daniel Madej to Chrissie MacMillan in a central position with his back to goal. MacMillan, who also scored against ‘More at the Eilan earlier in the season, allowed the ball to run across his body before turning and sweeping a shot past keeper Kenny Ross to his left side. The hosts continued to press and Daniel MacCuish saw a shot from the right come off the keeper’s left post after Lorne Dickie’s free-hit from midfield wasn’t dealt with by the visiting defence. Oban Camanachd continued to create the better chances and Scott MacMillan’s ball from wide on the right dipped just over the crossbar. Newtonmore fought back and it took a great challenge from Daniel Cameron to halt one attack whilst Ewen Fraser then sent a low effort wide of the far post under pressure from Craig Easton before Sutherland made another good stop, this time from Ewen Fraser, clearing the ball to safety in the process. Craig Easton was then forced off with what looked like a nasty neck injury. Daniel MacVicar came on in attack with Chrissie MacMillan dropping back into defence. An Evan Menzies effort from the left was deflected wide for a corner but it was the hosts who took a 2-0 lead into the break with Lewis Buchanan netting on 37 minutes. Andrew MacCuish went on a good run before finding Daniel MacVicar on the right. ‘More keeper Kenny Ross saved MacVicar’s effort with his hand but Lewis Buchanan ran in from the left to score from the rebound. Newtonmore went on the attack from the restart and a low strike from Evan Menzies was saved by Cameron Sutherland. Oban Camanachd wing centre Andrew MacCuish launched the ball goalwards from the left of midfield but Kenny Ross was equal to the dropping ball. Scott MacMillan took the resulting corner and this time Kenny Ross saved well from Daniel MacCuish. Newtonmore boss Paul John MacKintosh made changes as he introduced Iain Robinson, Owen Fraser and David Fraser. However it was Oban Camanachd who added a third goal on 58 minutes. Garry Lord’s initial free-hit drew another set-piece chance; this time in the goal area when Daniel MacVicar was bundled to the ground. Daniel Madej took the free-hit, finding Scott MacMillan on the left and MacMillan, who’d lost his marker, sent a low drive on his back-hand past the keeper to make it 3-0 with 58 minutes on the clock. Oban Camanachd moved Andrew MacCuish up front with Daniel MacCuish dropping back onto the wing. When Garry Lord sent the ball long to Scott MacMillan, he fed Daniel MacVicar but his shot was deflected wide for a corner. Evan Menzies pulled a goal back on 71 minutes. Iain Robinson cut the ball across to Menzies and with Daniel Cameron slipping, the ‘More captain gave the keeper no chance with a clean strike on his back-hand. ‘More immediately brought Ewen Fraser back on and Evan Menzies fired over as they looked to score again. However Oban Camanachd restored their three-goal cushion on 78 minutes. Andrew MacCuish came deep to win possession and he surged forward before checking back and sweeping the ball across to Lewis Buchanan and his low, firm strike, with Rory Kennedy closing him down, beat the keeper. Oban Camanachd had already taken Blair MacFarlane on for Scott MacMillan before then replacing Andrew MacCuish with Ross Campbell. There was a lot for Oban Camanachd to be pleased about and their back-line of Daniel Cameron, Daniel Sloss, Craig Easton and Garry Lord worked hard and were solid throughout. Oban Camanachd now leap-frog Newtonmore to take fourth place in the division with both sides having one match remaining.
Mowi North Division 1 Fort William 4 Newtonmore 3 The Newtonmore second team’s Mowi North Division 1 title chances suffered a blow when they lost 4-3 to the Fort William second team in their noon throw up at An Aird. This was a tricky test for the Newtonmore seconds but they showed their intent as Cameron McNiven on 16 minutes and Duncan Gorman a couple of minutes later gave them a 2-0 interval lead. Fort William made a strong start to the second half and Victor Smith made it 2-1 a couple of minutes after the restart before Scott Knox, on 52 minutes, turned a rebound home on his back-hand to make it 2-2. Padraig McNeil put the Fort ahead for the first time in the game on the hour but ‘More’s Calum Stewart made it 3-3 just 4 minutes later. The winning goal came 20 minutes from time when Victor Smith got his second to give Fort William a 4-3 victory. The result means Fort William go second in the division with Newtonmore dropping to fourth spot. ‘More now trail leaders Glengarry by five points but they have two games in hand – at home against Aberdeen University and the Glenurquhart seconds. However the potential league decider between the Newtonmore seconds and Glengarry at the Eilan has been rescheduled for this coming Saturday. A draw will be enough to give Glengarry the title.
Kinlochshiel 3 Caberfeidh 2 The Kinlochshiel second team and the Caberfeidh second team were scheduled to meet at Reraig but a Saturday morning pitch inspection following the wet west coast weather saw ‘Shiel agree to switch the game to Castle Leod. This was the final match of the season for both sides and Caberfeidh’s Declan Wilson was suspended whilst ‘Shiel included Keith MacRae. Keith MacRae gave the visitors the lead on 15 minutes. Corin Jack made a clever run following a ‘Shiel corner on the left, drawing the defender away from the back post where Keith MacRae took the ball down and he finished from the angle on the right. Sandy MacDiarmid made it 2-0 just 5 minutes before the break. Duncan Matheson’s shot from distance was saved by the keeper but Sandy MacDiarmid was first to react and he tapped the ball past the goalie from inside the box. Keith MacRae got his second and ‘Shiel’s third on 73 minutes. Calum Coghill’s shot didn’t quite reach the goal but MacRae was first onto it, knocking the ball home before the keeper could get to it. Caberfeidh staged a late comeback with Colin MacLennan scoring on 80 minutes and again on 86 minutes but ‘Shiel stayed in front to take the points.
Lovat 2 Skye Camanachd 2 The Lovat colts and the Skye Camanachd colts drew 2-2 at Balgate. Lovat included Chris Johnston, Ryan Ferguson and Martin Bell across their midfield whilst Iain MacLellan, Ross MacKinnon and Ross Gordon lined up in attack for Skye. Skye struck first with Ross MacKinnon scoring on 7 minutes. Eachann MacRae sent the ball high into the goal area where Iain MacLellan touched the ball down from around the penalty spot and Ross MacKinnon hammered a shot right into the top corner of the net, giving Lovat keeper Jamie Matheson no chance. Skye dominated the early stages but, with Cameron MacMillan coming deeper and Ryan Ferguson becoming more influential in midfield, Lovat started to claw their way back into the game. Cameron MacMillan pulled Lovat level from the penalty spot on 31 minutes. Ryan Ferguson ran down the left taking the ball towards the corner flag. Ferguson then cut inside, finding Ronan MacMillan who was about to shoot but couldn’t as there was a Skye defender on the ground. The goal judge flagged for a penalty and referee Callum Girvan pointed to the spot with Skye claiming their player had been shoved. Cameron MacMillan sent the spot-hit low and hard to keeper Murphy Henderson’s right. Lovat almost took the lead when Raymond Rennie set up Ronan MacMillan on 39 minutes but his shot shaved the post. Just a minute later, Raymond Rennie picked out Cameron MacMillan but Murphy Henderson saved well with his legs. Lovat were on top and Raymond Rennie turned scorer on 49 minutes with a good shot from 20 yards on the angle on the left. Skye introduced Daniel Morrison and Ian MacPherson around the hour mark and the changes began to turn the match Skye’s way. Skye found a leveller on 66 minutes. When the ball broke to Daniel Morrison, he placed the ball past the keeper from just inside the D. Skye finished strongly but couldn’t find a winner.
Kingussie P Aberdeen University P The match between the Kingussie reserves and Aberdeen University at the Dell has been rescheduled for Saturday 9 November 2019.
WCA Round Up They have fought toe-to-toe for the major hours this season and it was Badenoch who were crowned Mowi National Division champions after beating Skye Camanachd in their play-off match at the Balgate.
Mowi National Division Badenoch 8 Skye Camanachd 1 Badenoch were crowned Mowi National Division champions after they beat Skye Camanachd 8-1 in their play-off match at Balgate on Sunday 27 October 2019. The match was originally scheduled for Craigard but a Thursday pitch inspection led to a switch to the Bught Park, Inverness. However that was ruled out on Sunday morning and the game was relocated to Balgate. The sides finished their league campaigns level on points, each suffering only one defeat. It was no shock that the defeats came against each other although it was more surprising that both lost on their own turf. With goal difference not a deciding factor, the sides lined-up on this neutral venue to decide the championship. One of the Balgate goalmouths was very wet and muddy and Skye, who won the toss, opted to defend this area in the first half. Skye were reigning champions and they were going for a fourth successive top flight title success. The Islanders had already wrestled the Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup from Badenoch this year: ironically again, on their opponents ground. However Badenoch, who were in search of a first Mowi National Division title, opened with a high intensity and they just didn’t allow Skye to play from the throw up. They showed their intent after just 90 seconds when Kirsty Deans beat two players on a run to the edge of the D but missed her shot at goal; probably her only mistake of the afternoon. From the moment Kirsty Deans put them ahead on 4 minutes, Badenoch took control. The ball was played into the middle to full forward Jeanette MacGregor, who was full back in the Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final, but instead of shooting, MacGregor unselfishly played in Kirsty Deans who had found space on the right and her low shot beat Skye keeper Sarah-Jane Ferguson to make it 1-0. Jeanette MacGregor turned scorer on 16 minutes when, following a period of intense Badenoch pressure, the ball was cleared out of the Skye defence but only as far as MacGregor who, from 22 yards range, fired a low shot into the net. Just a couple of minutes later, Kirsty Deans added a third. The goal came following a set-piece after a Skye defender had been penalised for a “kick” and when an initial shot was saved with her feet by Sarah-Jane Ferguson, the ball held up on the sticky surface and Deans seized the opportunity as she flew in to push the rebound into the net. Kirsty Deans completed her hat-trick to make it 4-0 on 23 minutes. A ball from the left dropped off Ilana Paterson’s stick and Kirsty Deans took advantage to score. Badenoch were relentless and it was Kirsty Deans again on 27 minutes, scoring with a fierce 25 yard effort to make it 5-0. Badenoch had the ball in the net for a sixth time on 35 minutes when Kirsty Deans broke down the left before finding Jeanette MacGregor who netted but the effort was ruled out for offside. Skye seemed to take heart and it took two fine Elizabeth MacGregor saves to keep them at bay and it remained 5-0 until the end of the first 40 minutes. However Skye were finding Kirsty Deans too hot to handle and Badenoch did get their sixth goal 6 minutes into the second half when Deans ran onto a loose ball to hammer home a shot from the left, nothing her fifth goal of the game in the process. Skye pulled a goal back through Sarah Corrigall on 53 minutes. Skye won possession from a Megan Ralph hit-in and Corrigall shot through a crowded goal area to give the Islanders some consolation. Badenoch were in no mood to let Skye back into the match though and, just a couple of minutes later, Kirsty Deans made it 7-1 after running in on goal and flicking the ball into the net. Kirsty Deans scored for the seventh time on 62 minutes to make it 8-1, stretching to get to a high ball into the danger-area and scoring to give Badenoch, managed by Scott Campbell and his assistant Iain Robinson, a richly deserved win and their first Mowi National Division trophy. After the final whistle, the National Division trophy was presented to Badenoch captain Zoe Reid by Ian Roberts from sponsors Mowi. It was a final match in charge for Skye Head Coach Robbie Gordon who has presided over a particularly successful period for the club where they have progressed from North Division 2 to the top of the women’s game. His assistant John Angus MacInnes takes over for next season.
Mowi North Division 2 Fort William v Lochaber W/O Fort William were unable to raise a team for their 1pm throw up against the Lochaber second team at An Aird. The Lochaber seconds have been awarded the points.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently) |