The Shinty Preview – 27 March 2010. | |
26 March 2010 The preliminary round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup and some interesting Scottish Hydro Premier Division matches catch the eye on Saturday 27 March 2010.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 rivals Kilmallie and Beauly meet at Canal Parks in the preliminary round of the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup. The home side currently sit top of Marine Harvest North Division 1 having won both their matches so far. Beauly have one win, one draw and one defeat from their opening league fixtures. The reward for the victors is a home match against Taynuilt.
Kinlochshiel make the long journey south to play Kilmory at the same stage of the competition. Shiel have made a disappointing start to the season having lost their opening 3 league matches. They will be without Scottish international Finlay MacRae who is suspended and they missed Scott Kennedy and Calum MacLean for last weeks defeat to Caberfeidh. Kilmory have made a better start to the season having won two and drawn one of their league matches. The currently sit top of Marine Harvest South Division 1. The winners travel to Castle Leod to play Caberfeidh in the first round.
Lewis Camanachd and Inveraray meet at Ullapool in the first round of the Aberdein Considine Sutherland Cup. Lewis have once again entered the cup competitions. Inveraray sit bottom of Marine Harvest South Division 1 but they have only played one game. This tie throws up at 2pm.
The match of the day in the Marine Harvest Premier Division takes place at An Aird where Fort William meet Kingussie. This is the second Badenoch test for Fort William following their defeat to Newtonmore at the Eilan last week. The Fort hope to have at least a couple of players back in their side for this one and the Kings are likely to keep James Hutchison in his forward role after last week’s double against Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Newtonmore and Inveraray meet at the Eilan. The home side sits at of the table and they are the only unbeaten side in the league, even at this early stage. Their forwards look particularly dangerous. After winning their opening two league matches – both at home – Inveraray lost to newly promoted Lovat at Balgate. The suspicion is that they will not have such a strong side for away games and this trip to the Eilan will be a difficult test for them.
Glenurquhart go over the hill to play Lovat at Balgate. The Glen had a fine win against Bute in Rothesay last weekend. Lewis MacLennan stood in for keeper Stuart MacKintosh who was unavailable for that match. However MacKintosh should return for this one. Lovat forwards Fraser Gallagher and James MacPherson have made a good start to the season and were both on target in last week’s win over Inveraray.
Kyles Athletic and second place Bute meet at Tighnabruaich. Bute were without Iain MacDonald and David Whitelaw last weekend whilst Kyles Grant Irvine will be a key player. The sides are currently only separated by a single point.
The bottom two sides in the division meet at Yoker where Glasgow Mid Argyll play Oban Camanachd. Newly promoted Mid Argyll have lost their opening 3 matches whilst Oban Camanachd will be disappointed to have only picked up a single point from their first 3 games. Liam MacIntyre remains suspended for the visitors.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 joint leaders Caberfeidh host Skye Camanachd at Castle Leod. The Islanders will be without midfielder Kerr Gibb who is unavailable. Defender John Moir remains on the injury list. Cabers have made a good start to the season and games between the sides have usually been close. Skye won 1-0 at Castle Leod last season whilst Cabers won by the same score at Pairc na Laoch.
Bottom club Inverness face a difficult home match against Lochaber at the Bught Park, Inverness. Steve Munro’s side have yet to pick up a point this match will be a big ask. Lochaber are focused on a return to shinty's top flight.
Lochcarron and Strathglass will both fancy their chances of picking up some points when they meet in the league. The sides were to meet at Battery Park but the pitch is unplayable so the game has been switched to Cannich. Lochcarron will be under the new management of Murdo John Fraser.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 reigning champions Lochside Rovers host Ballachulish who suffered a heavy defeat to Glenorchy last weekend.
Newly promoted Taynuilt are at home to Oban Celtic.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 leaders Glengarry were to face Kingussie at the Dell but the game has been switched to Invergarry. This game will be a test of the home side’s aspirations whilst the Kings will want to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Glenurquhart.
Similarly match between Newtonmore and Kinlochshiel has been switched from the Eilan to Kirkton. The ‘More first team already has a home match whilst the west coast pitch is free. This will be the second trip to the west coast for Newtonmore who were in Portree last weekend. The visitors full forward David Wilde is fine form having scored 5 goals last weekend. Shiel come into the match in confidence following last weekend’s win at Beauly.
There is a local derby at Canal Parks between Kilmallie and Fort William. This match throws up at the earlier time of 12 noon.
Beauly and reigning champions meet at Braeview Parks.
Skye Camanachd have their third consecutive home match when they play Lovat at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye will once again have a young side whilst Lovat’s more experienced side will be boosted by last weekend’s win over Fort William.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 leaders Kyles Athletic were to travel to Jubilee Park to play bottom club Ballachulish. However Ballachulish have reluctantly decided that they cannot raise a side to complete in the league this season.
Second bottom Col Glen suffered a heavy defeat to Kyles last week and they now host Tayforth.
The match between second top Aberdour and Bute is off as both pitches are unplayable.
Fourth place Strachur host third place Glasgow Mid Argyll. Both sides are on 3 points from their 3 matches so far.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 leaders Aberdeen University face Strathglass. The visitors have had team raising difficulties this season and haven’t been unable to fulfill their last 2 fixtures. The Students were disappointed that last weekend’s fixture against Lochcarron at Battery Park failed a pitch inspection and will be hoping for a game this week.
Second place Caberfeidh play Lochcarron at Castle Leod. The home side are likely to be serious title challengers this season. This match has a 12 noon throw up.
The meeting between Lochaber and Boleskine and Lochaber has been switched from Spean Bridge to Farr.
Lochbroom and Inverness meet at Ullapool and this game also throws up at 12 noon.
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