There was almost a full shinty programme on Saturday 19 March 2011 following the weather related postponements the previous week.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division
Kyles Athletic sit proudly at the summit of shinty’s top division following their 7-1 win over Lovat at Tighnabruaich. Lovat were without captain Euan Ferguson and new signing Iain Nicolson who were unable to make the journey south because of work commitments. Calum Cruden took up Ferguson’s full centre role. However they did have full forward Fraser Gallagher back in their line-up. The home side were along usual lines and they took the lead after just 3 minutes through Roddy MacDonald with Dunkie Kerr making it 2-0 on the half hour mark. Lovat pulled a goal back just 3 minutes into the second half when Fraser Gallagher turned Peter Currie and fired into the net. However Kyles were coping better with the bumpy surface and they restored their two goal advantage through Fraser MacDonald a couple of minutes later. The home forward line with Fraser MacDonald at full forward supported by Roddy MacDonald and Grant Irvine with Dunkie Kerr in a free role, were playing some great shinty. Grant Irvine added a double on 65 and 68 minutes to make it 5-1 and Roddy MacDonald added his second on 72 minutes. A Thomas Whyte strike on 83 minutes completed the scoring for a side that will be difficult to beat, especially on their own pitch.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division champions Newtonmore had David Cheyne back in their side but they trailed 2010 Marine Harvest winners Kilmallie 1-0 at half time thanks to a Liam MacDonald goal just before the break. Kilmallie held onto this lead until 20 minutes from the end when ‘More full forward Danny MacRae made it 1-1. Glen MacKintosh put ’More ahead 5 minutes later whilst MacRae made it 3-1 on 83 minutes. David Cheyne marked his first appearance of the season with a goal just 3 minutes from time to give Norman MacArthur’s side a 4-1 win.
The home side came out on top in the derby meeting at An Aird between Fort William and Oban Camanachd. The Fort were without suspended trio Adam Robertson, John MacDonald and Liam MacIntyre, who sat out the game against his former club. Fort manager Peter McIntyre has said he will give youth its chance this season and youngster Ryan Campbell rewarded him with a goal after just 3 minutes. He added his second on 25 minutes when he made it 2-0. Oban enjoyed their share of the second half pressure but they were unable to convert their possession into goals.
Inveraray were 7-0 victors in the all-south clash with Glenorchy at the Winterton. Garry MacPherson put them ahead on 5 minutes and a Russell MacKinlay strike on 25 minutes gave them a 2-0 half time lead. Ewan MacMurdo made it 3-0 on 65 minutes and MacKinlay added his second 5 minutes later. MacMurdo also got a second on 75 minutes to make it 5-0. Russell MacKinlay completed his hat-trick on 80 minutes whilst Gary MacPherson also got his brace in the final minute.
The clash between Glenurquhart and Kingussie at Blairbeg finished goalless. Glenurquhart had Eddie Tembo back in their line-up with Scotland Head Coach Drew McNeil assisting manager Jim Barr on the touchline. The visitors were without Lee Bain and Thomas Borthwick as well as captain Ronald Ross. Manager Steve Borthwick included youngsters Darren Hanlon and Hamish Anderson in his side and he restored veteran Kevin Thain to the line-up following his four goals for the Kings reserve side on the opening day of the season. Indeed the best chance of the game fell to Thain when referee Billy Wotherspoon awarded the visitors a penalty for an infringement by Glen keeper Stuart MacKintosh. However the home keeper redeemed himself when he brilliantly saved Thain’s spot-hit. Scotland keeper MacKintosh made another couple of top saves from Thain and this would not have gone unnoticed by his international boss.
Marine Harvest North Division 1
The match of the day in this league appeared to be the meeting between Kinlochshiel and Beauly at Kirkton. The visitors took the scalp of 2010 league runners up Lochaber in the opening day of the season but they lost 2-0 in this one to the Kinlochshiel side which finished in third place. The first half ended in a rather uneventful stalemate but a second half double from Shiel’s Neil Fraser on 50 and 55 minutes gave his side a 2-0 win which leaves them 2 points clear at the top of the table. Kinlochshiel lost their opening 3 fixtures last term and this cost them dearly at the end of the season. They now have 2 wins this campaign which puts Johnston Gills’ side 4 points ahead of their tally at the same stage in 2010.
Strathglass and Lochaber meet at Cannich. Strathglass made a fantastic start to the season with a win over Skye Camanachd whilst Lochaber’s status as one of the title favourites suffered a blow after they lost their opening day fixture to Beauly. However Michael Delaney’s side were in no mood to falter again as they beat Strathglass 6-1. Raymond Fraser netted for Strathglass but goals from Scotland international Shaun Nicolson, a brace from Stuart Callison and a Lachlan Campbell hat-trick gave the Spean Bridge men a 6-1 victory.
Inverness welcomed Caberfeidh to the Bught Park but they were minus influential full centre David Glass who was injured. The home side took a 15 minute lead through David Higham but a goal from Scotland U21 international Kevin Bartlett on 44 minutes levelled the game at the break. Bartlett put his side ahead on the hour mark when he converted a penalty awarded by referee Graham Cameron. The Cabers hitman took his personal tally to 4 goals with efforts on 68 and 80 minutes, either side of a Mark MacDonald strike on 72 minutes, which gave Cabers the points with a 5-1 win.
The west coast derby at Battery Park between Lochcarron and Skye Camanachd was postponed following a Saturday morning pitch inspection. Consideration was given to switching the match to Portree but it was judged that Pairc nan Laoch was unable to host two matches.
Marine Harvest South Division 1
Bute went nap against Oban Celtic at the Meadows. Hector Whitelaw grabbed a hat-trick on 16, 20 and 65 minutes. However Robert Zavaroni went two better scoring 5 times on 18, 55, 70, 74 and 80 minutes. David Whitelaw on 22 minutes, Gordon MacMillan just 3 minutes later, Robert Walker on 72 minutes and Stuart Strathie 5 minutes from time got Bute’s others to complete a convincing 12-0 win which leaves the Islanders top the table on goal difference.
Glasgow Mid Argyll made a winning start to their league campaign with a 4-1 victory at Kilmory. Mid Argyll are beginning to reap the benefits from a great deal of hard work at youth level and they are no longer a side who rely on players from other teams relocating into the central belt. Craig Anderson scored a hat-trick and Fulton Ross got the other. Denis McGarry got the Kilmory goal.
Taynuilt went down 2-0 at home to the newly promoted Kyles Athletic reserve side. Stuart Scott grabbed both goals.
A 36 minute first half strike from David Lafferty gave Lochside Rovers a 1-0 win over Ballachulish in Oban.
Marine Harvest North Division 2
Kilmallie went down 3-2 to Newtonmore in an exciting match at the Canal Parks. Blair MacKintosh put Newtonmore ahead after just 3 minutes. MacKintosh also added a second on the stroke of half time to make it 2-0. However Kilmallie refused to lie down and a Robbie MacFadyen double on 52 and 70 minutes squared the match. It was left to Blair MacKintosh to complete his hat-trick on 75 minutes and give ‘More a 3-2 win which leaves them top of the table.
Glengarry were 5-1 winners in their derby match against Lochaber at Spean Bridge. New signing Ewan Brady got a hat-trick for ‘Garry whilst Arran Clark and Matthew Clark got the others. U17 player Duncan MacKinnon scored for Lochaber. The win leaves Glengarry in second place on goal difference.
Martin Dallas made a welcome return to the Kingussie side and he also scored a hat-trick as his team beat Glenurquhart 3-2 at the Dell. Kingussie were without Kevin Thain who was on first team duty. However they did have Lee Bain in their side as work commitments prevented him from travelling with the first team. Kingussie had former full back Michael Thain in goal. The Glen goals came from Lewis MacLennan and veteran Stuart Morrison. Kingussie have now taken maximum points from their 2 games played whilst reigning champions Glenurquhart are still looking for their first point after 3 outings.
Skye Camanachd lost 3-0 to Fort William at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Click on the following link to read a full match report
Lovat beat Kinlochshiel 7-2 at Balgate’ Rory Cruden put the home side ahead after 18 minutes and a Lewis Tawse double on 25 and 36 minutes made it 3-0. However strikes from Allan MacDiarmid on 42 minutes and Stuart MacRae 2 minutes later meant the home side’s advantage was reduced to a single goal at the half time break. Lovat went on to be the dominant side in the second half. Former Skye Camanachd player Iain Nicolson was on target on 62 minutes to make it 4-2 with his first Lovat goal. Lewis Tawse completed his hat-trick on 69 minutes whilst a brace from Steven Cameron on 82 and 90 minutes completed a 7-2 win.
Marine Harvest South Division 2
Glasgow Mid Argyll went down 4-1 to table-toppers Col Glen at Yoker. Gordon Reid got the home side’s only goal. This result proved quite a turn-around as Mid Argyll were 6-1 winners in the corresponding fixture last season.
Aberdour lost 5-1 at home to Bute who go second. Neil MacLartie put the visitors ahead after 19 minutes. Stuart Stirling made it 2-0 on 26 minutes and Bute took this lead into the break. Ally Carmichael notched a double on 64 and 79 minutes before Craig Grant pulled an 82 minute goal back for Aberdour. Neil MacLartie scored his second goal 3 minutes later to make it 5-1 to the Islanders.
Gordon Petrie grabbed a hat-trick and Lewis MacNicol a double as Inveraray beat the newly formed Ballachulish reserve side 5-0 at Jubilee Park.
Jamie MacDonald and Brendan Dougan each scored twice and David MacLean got the other as Tayforth were 5-3 home winners against Strachur. Iain MacLellan twice and Jamie Roy scored for Strachur. The win leaves Tayforth third on goal difference.
Marine Harvest North Division 3
The early throw up between Aberdeen University and Lewis Camanachd was switched from Beauly’s Braeview Park to Invergarry. The Students proved too strong for the league’s new boys as they won 15-0. Former Skye Camanachd players scored 12 of the Aberdeen goals. Kenny MacLeod got 5 whilst Jamie Beaton went one better with a double hat-trick. Midfielder and captain Kieran Roberts was the other scorer who came through the Skye ranks. Steven MacKenzie, Brian Slattery and David Fraser got the others. Lewis battled manfully but their defence was under constant pressure for the whole game. Aberdeen University top the table on goal difference.
Calum Morrison and Conor Cormack each scored for the third successive weekend as Beauly beat Boleskine 2-0 at Braeview Park. Morrison scored the only goal of the first half after 10 minutes whilst Cormack doubled Beauly’s advantage with a 61 minute strike. Beauly sit in second place on goal difference.
Veteran Gregor Cushnie scored 4 times as Lochcarron won 5-0 at Ardnamurchan. Finlay Stark got the other as Lochcarron go third with maximum points from their opening 2 games.
Lochbroom beat Inverness 3-0 in Ullapool. Lewis Scott got the opener after 10 minutes whilst a second half brace from Sandy Urquhart on 67 and 69 minutes secured the win.
Caberfeidh beat Strathglass 7-0 at Castle Leod. Kirk Taylor opened the scoring on 15 minutes and former first team keeper Archie Ritchie made it 2-0 on 35 minutes. Cabers really turned the screw in the second half. Jodie Gorski made it 3-0 on 55 minutes to make it 3-0 and the home side then went on to score 3 goals in just 4 minutes. Blair Morrison got a double on 65 and 69 minutes, either side of a 66 minute Ian MacDonald effort. Kirk Taylor netted his second on 82 minutes to complete the scoring.