The Shinty Preview. | |
03 April 2009 There is an exciting shinty programme ahead on Saturday 4 April 2009. The two MacTavish Cup ties postponed from last weekend take place and 2008 Marine Premier League winners Kingussie take a trip to the West Coast to take on Kinlochshiel. The Kings will be without the suspended duo of Russell Dallas and John Hutchison. However Paul Gow, Rory Brown and Lewis Munro return to the squad. They would have missed the fixture last weekend as they had travelled to Newtonmore take on Kilmallie at the Eilan and the winners will host Lochaber in the quarter finals. The top two in the Marine Harvest Premier League meet at Tigh na Bruach as Kyles Athletic host Oban Camanachd. Both South sides are surprise early leaders in the league and they will both be fully aware of the need to take points from this fixture. The home side have striker Tom Whyte in top form with four goals in his last two outings whilst Oban will want to preserve their 100% record. Lochaber travel to Bute for the leagues 1pm throw up and the Spean Bridge side will look to build on their victory over Fort William in their last league outing. Glenorchy host Glenurquhart in what, even at this early stage, could be a vital clash. The home side lost out 3-2 to Inveraray but the Glen beat the same side 3-1 last weekend. The Drum na Drochit side know that a win, and a 4 point gap over Glenorchy would be a great boost to their Premier status. With Badenoch giants Kingussie and Newtonmore both in cup action, The match of the day in Marine Harvest North Division 1 is between leaders Skye Camanachd and Lovat in Portree. The Islanders have won both their opening matches whilst Lovat will be on a high from last week’s dramatic 8-7 victory over Strathglass. Alan Palmer and John Moir are fit again for Skye whilst Lovat will again rely on the free scoring Martin Bell, Raymond Rennie and 15 year old Greig Matheson up front. The speedy Calum MacAulay at buckshee forward has been a big influence for them too. Lochcarron make their first league appearance of the season when they travel to the Strathglass host Beauly in what will also be an interesting clash. Robert Geddes and Marc MacLaughlan will be key men for the Cannich outfit and Beauly will likely miss the influential Innes Simpson again.The absence of the Beauly's suspended full back Roger Cormack could well prove significant. The Lochside Rovers v Oban Celtic derby is the game of the day in Marine Harvest South Division 1. The home side top the league but Celtic have won their only match so far. Kilmory host Ballachulish with the host side hoping to get their first points after three outings. |