The Shinty Round Up – Saturday 11 March 2023 | |
12 March 2023 The wintery weather failed to prevent a significant part of the shinty schedule going ahead on Saturday 11 March 2023.
Mowi Premiership Kingussie 2 Lovat 0 Kingussie began their quest for three successive titles when they beat Lovat 2-0 in their 1pm throw up at the Dell. The match was originally scheduled for Balgate but a Saturday morning inspection ruled the field unplayable and a venue switch took place. Kingussie’s Fraser Munro was passed fit to play and took his usual place at wing centre but illness ruled out Kieran Macpherson so Liam Borthwick played at buckshee back. There was a surprise place on the bench for Alexander Michie who joined James Hutchison and Iain Fraser in reserve. Lovat had several absentees including Craig Mainland, Callum Cruden, Lewis Tawse and Fraser Heath with the latter indicating that he will not play this season. When the action got underway, Kingussie immediately laid siege on the Lovat goal. Time and again, Lovat and Scotland keeper Stuart MacDonald defied the hosts with a series of superb saves to keep the game goalless as he used his feet, body, legs, club and on one occasion flew through the air to deny James Falconer, the excellent Ruaridh Anderson and Roddy Young, all on more than one occasion. Despite all their pressure, the hosts almost went behind when Calum MacAulay played in Greg Matheson, but Kingussie keeper Rory MacGregor was quickly off his line to save. Kingussie broke the deadlock on 25 minutes. Calum Grant won possession following Daniel Grieve’s clearance out of the Lovat defence and played a straight ball down the right to James Falconer. The Lovat defence failed to cut out Falconer’s low ball across goal and, at the back post, and Roddy Young had time to take a touch before scoring low into the net on his left side. Kingussie made a change 5 minutes before half-time when Fraser Munro felt his calf tighten so Iain Fraser took over. Lovat broke forward just before the interval when Calum MacAulay again found Greg Matheson, but Rory MacGregor showed his class as he stretched high to his left to parry the shot with his stick. The pattern of play continued towards the Lovat goal in the second half and captain James Falconer made it 2-0 on 57 minutes. The Lovat defence didn’t deal with Cameron Bremner’s huge hit-in from the right and both Savio Genini and Roddy Young quickly played the ball on and when it came to James Falconer, he raced goalwards and beat the keeper. Stuart MacDonald used his chest to again thwart Ruaridh Anderson and it was mainly one-way traffic although keeper MacDonald wasn’t as tested as during the first 45 minutes. A rare Lovat attack culminated in Rory MacGregor making another good save, this time from substitute Fraser Gallacher. Lee Bain wasn’t risked as his hamstring tightened so Alexander Michie came on to a warm round of applause for his first action since the end of April 2022. Another couple of flying Stuart MacDonald stops near the end denied Ruaridh Anderson the goal he deserved, and MacDonald also did well to keep out an effort from substitute James Hutchison. They weren’t able to add to their tally, but the Kings comfortably took the points.
Newtonmore 4 Glasgow Mid Argyll 0 Iain Robinson and Michael Russell both scored twice as Newtonmore beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 4-0 at the Eilan. ‘More’s Steven Macdonald completed his three-match suspension whilst injury continued to rule out Conor Jones but Fraser MacKintosh returned to the side. GMA were missing Jamie McFadyen, Brian Slattery and Calum McLay. Iain Robinson gave Newtonmore a two-goal interval lead with efforts on 15 and 22 minutes; both firm shots from around 20 yards out. Indeed, Robinson could have had a first half hat-trick, but GMA keeper Jonathon Oates saved his attempt from the penalty spot when the match was scoreless. ‘More are fielding Michael Russell in attack as he nurses an injury and he made it 3-0 on 54 minutes. The impressive Craig Macleod’s initial shot was saved by keeper Oates, but Russell was on hand to turn home the rebound. GMA fielded former Kingussie player Chris Holleysong at full forward with John McNulty also up front, but the Newtonmore defence were in control throughout whilst Declan Brannan bossed the midfield. Referee Martin MacLean pointed to the penalty spot for a second time on 81 minutes when Michael Russell took the ball in from a wide position but was brought down as he ran inside the D. Russell picked himself up to make it 4-0 from the spot.
Kyles Athletic 2 Caberfeidh 2 Kyles Athletic and Caberfeidh both won their opening game of the season, and each led in their match at Tighnabruaich before having to settle for a 2-2 draw. Innes MacDonald put Kyles ahead on 42 minutes. Will Cowie pressured the Inveraray full back just outside the box with the defender attempting to slip the ball wide to safety. However, Innes MacDonald read the play and pounced to intercept, taking a touch forward to the right and then hitting a backhand strike into the top corner of the net on the angle from outside the box. Kyles were unable to take the lead into the break though with Craig Morrison levelling with a trademark goal on 44 minutes. A long ball reached Craig Morrison around the penalty spot and he took a touch before blasting the ball into the roof of the net. It was Craig Morrison again on 61 with his fourth goal of the season. Kevin Bartlett played a ball through to Morrison who rolled his marker to go one-on-one with the keeper before pushing the ball home to make it 2-1. However, Scott MacDonald earned Kyles a point when he made it 2-2 on 70 minutes. Robbie MacLeod played the ball out wide towards Scott MacDonald and keeper raced from his line to intercept. However, Scott MacDonald just got to the ball first and, from 25 yards out, he fell over as his backhand strike bounced into the bottom left corner of the open goal from a tight angle.
Beauly 2 Kinlochshiel 1 It was an historic day for Beauly as they played their first ever national division shinty match, with Kinlochshiel the visitors to Braeview Park. And the day got even better as they beat ‘Shiel, who finished second in the table last season, 2-1 to notch their first top flight victory. Beauly’s Angus Renwick served a one-match suspension whilst injury ruled out Andrew Morrison. Lee Dunbar was in goal with Calum Morrison at full back. Kinlochshiel’s David Falconer failed to recover from injury, so Aaron Jack was added to the squad. Rory Slaughter was named with the ‘Shiel second team so there was a call-up for Seumas Martin. Beauly hit the front on 29 minutes when Ross Forbes scored to the delight of the home support. Kinlochshiel’s cause wasn’t helped when they lost skipper Jordan Fraser with a hand injury towards the end of the first half. ‘Shiel managed to level through Keith MacRae on 63 minutes but, just a couple of minutes later, Finlay MacLennan gave Beauly a deserved win.
Skye Camanachd P Oban Camanachd P The heavy snow on the west led to the postponement of the clash between Skye Camanachd and Oban Camanachd at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Skye are off to Kyles Athletic this coming weekend whilst Oban Camanachd play another newly promoted side when Beauly visit Mossfield.
Mowi National Division Kilmallie 5 Inveraray 3 Kilmallie are early National Division leaders after beating Inveraray 5-3 at the Canal Parks. Kilmallie manager Johnny Morrison was unavailable so club stalwart Peter Jackson took the side. He was without Lewis Birrell and Frankie Innes. Inveraray manager Andy Watt had Allan MacDonald free of his one-game ban and he started in attack. The hosts went ahead on 16 minutes through Shane O’Rua. Kilmallie again fielded former boss Martin Stewart at full forward, and he gathered a long ball before playing in the impressive Shane O’Rua who finished well past Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan. Calum MacDougall added a second from a tight angle on the right on 20 minutes and Martin Stewart made it 3-0 on 38 minutes when he held off his marker and pushed the ball by a defender before crashing a half-volley into the net. Inveraray’s Fraser Watt was always a threat and he pulled a goal back on 40 minutes to make it 3-1 at half-time. Fraser Watt scored again, beating keeper Kevin Toye, to make it 3-2 just a couple of minutes into the second half but there was to be no comeback as Calum MacDougall completed his hat-trick with efforts on 73 and 82 minutes. His second goal was again on the angle on the right whilst his third came when Martin Stewart got to the ball ahead of his marker before flicking the ball back between his legs to MacDougall, who was making an overlapping run, and he made no mistake. Fraser Watt completed his hat-trick on 84 minutes to make the final score 5-3. Aidan Love followed up his excellent showing in the previous week’s win at Strathglass with another stand-out performance. Kilmallie make the short journey to An Aird on Saturday for their much anticipated derby with Fort William.
Glenurquhart 1 Col Glen 2 Col Glen are settling well into their first season in the Mowi National Division as they followed up the previous week’s draw with Oban Celtic with a 2-1 victory over Glenurquhart at Blairbeg. Col Glen took the lead after just 3 minutes through Andrew MacVicar and Dan MacDonald made it 2-0 on 22 minutes. Glen’s David MacLennan pulled a goal back on 29 minutes but Col Glen were not to be denied.
Oban Celtic P Strathglass P The match between Oban Celtic and Strathglass was called off early on Saturday morning as the Mossfield pitch was frozen. Oban Celtic’s next opponents are Glenurquhart who visit Oban this coming Saturday. However, Celtic will have to do without Lennon Campbell and Peter Currie who both face a spell on the sidelines due to injury.
Mowi North Division 1 Glengarry 5 Skye Camanachd 0 Glengarry and the Skye Camanachd second team both won their opening day fixtures, and it was ‘Garry who made it two out of two with a 5-0 victory over the Islanders at Craigard. Shaun Nicolson gave ‘Garry a 17 minute lead and two quick goals put the hosts in command with Nicolson netting again on 32 minutes and Raymond Robertson making it 3-0 on 35 minutes. A second half brace from Brian MacDonald on 53 and 72 minutes rounded off the win.
Kinlochshiel 4 Beauly 0 The Kinlochshiel seconds recorded their first win of the season, beating the Beauly seconds 4-0 at Rèaraig. Rory Barclay held off his marker before crashing the ball into the roof of the net on 26 minutes and Paul MacRae turned his marker before firing the ball home on 31 minutes made it 2-0 at the break. Wing centre Duncan “Ach” MacRae added a third with a shot from distance on 55 minutes with Rory Slaughter tapping home to make it 4-0 just 15 minutes from time.
Kingussie 6 Lovat 1 The Kingussie colts scored four times in the first half as they beat the Lovat colts 6-1 in their 3pm throw up at the Dell. Calum MacKintosh hit an early double on 5 and 8 minutes with Somhairle Fraser making it 3-0 on 15 minutes. Robert Shiells added a fourth on 23 minutes and he got his second just 3 minutes into the second half to put Kingussie out of sight. Lovat player / manager Raymond Rennie pulled a goal back on 51 minutes, but Russell Menzies made it 6-1 on 76 minutes. Lovat’s Danny MacKenzie was sent off by referee Jamie MacPherson after 83 minutes.
Inverness 2 Glenurquhart 0 Two goals late in the game gave the Inverness first team a 2-0 triumph over Glenurquhart reserves at the Bught Park. Ewan Campbell scored for the second successive Saturday to break the deadlock on 80 minutes with Steven Bellshaw making it 2-0 on the stroke of full time.
Mowi South Division 1 Lochside Rovers 6 Ardnamurchan 1 Lochside Rovers and Ardnamurchan were originally to meet at Ganavan. However, the continued thaw during the morning meant Mossfield, which had earlier been ruled unplayable for the game between Oban Celtic and Strathglass, could now take a game so the venue was switched. Lochside had a pool of eighteen players to choose from and youngsters Rory Buchanan, Innes MacMillan and Ross MacKay made up their bench. The Oban side were captained by Alexander MacDonald on his sixteenth birthday. Young Matthew Sloss wasted no time in taking advantage of the Mossfield surface, giving his side a 2 minute lead with a strike from just outside the box. Some good goalkeeping throughout the remainder of the match denied Sloss a great haul. Craig MacMillan has joined Lochside Rovers after leaving Oban Celtic and he marked his first appearance with hat-trick with well-struck shots on 13, 15 and 53 minutes. MacMillan was then withdrawn, as was Jordan Kerr who was feeling an ankle injury, so Innes MacMillan and Ruairidh Buchanan came on. Lochside wing centre Scott Campbell, who played well throughout, scored the goal of the game on 64 minutes with a 20 yard shot into the roof of the net. Ard’ pulled a goal back on 76 minutes when their main attacking threat, Herbie Patterson, beat Lochside keeper Brian MacCallum to make it 5-1. However, substitute Innes MacMillan made it 6-1 with an 80 minute effort to get the Stephen Sloss reign at Lochside Rovers off to a good start.
Aberdour W/O v Ballachulish Aberdour were given a walk-over when Ballachulish were unable to raise a team for their trip to Silversands. Balla’ were deducted two-points.
Glasgow Mid Argyll P Bute P The match between the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team and Bute at Peterson Park was postponed due to a bereavement.
Mowi North Division 2 Boleskine 6 Strathspey Camanachd 0 Boleskine top the table after sweeping aside Strathspey Camanachd 6-0 at Smith Park. The match went ahead following a Saturday morning pitch inspection and Scott Knox scored the only goal of the first half on 22 minutes. Scott Knox got his second a minute after the restart and he completed his hat-trick on 49 minutes. Connor Aubrey made it 4-0 on 55 minutes before Scott Knox scored his fourth goal of the game with 20 minutes remaining. Ross Anderson completed the scoring a minute from time.
Lochcarron 3 Kilmallie 0 Second placed Lochcarron overcame the Kilmallie colts 3-0 at Battery Park. Lochcarron’s Crisdean Finlayson bagged two goals in last week’s win over the Lochaber second team and he repeated the feat this week with goals on 21 and 69 minutes. Iain MacKenzie made it 3-0 on 83 minutes.
Lochaber 1 Lewis Camanachd 1 The Lochaber second team and Lewis Camanachd drew 1-1 in their 12.30pm throw up at Spean Bridge. The goals came 10 minutes apart with Brennan MacDonald putting Lochaber ahead a minute short of the hour and Allan MacKinnon equalising on 69 minutes.
Caberfeidh P Aberdeen University P The Caberfeidh colts’ meeting with Aberdeen University at Castle Leod was postponed on Saturday morning as the pitch was frozen.
Strathglass P Inverness P The fixture between the Strathglass seconds and the Inverness seconds at Cannich was called off on Saturday morning because of an unplayable pitch.
Mowi South Division 2 Inveraray 5 Aberdour 0 The Inveraray second team defeated the Aberdour second team 5-0 at the Winterton. Ewan Donnan netted on 24 and 30 minutes to make it 2-0 at the break with Ben Cameron adding a third on 51 minutes. Late goals from Craig Taylor on 88 minutes and Kayden MacKinlay a minute later rounded off the 5-0 victory.
Uddingston P Oban Celtic P The clash between Uddingston and the Oban Celtic seconds was called off on Friday because of a waterlogged pitch.
Bute P Kilmory P Kilmory’s meeting with the Bute juniors at the Meadows was postponed due to a bereavement.
(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match report states differently)
WCA Fixtures The Women’s Camanachd Association National Division got underway with some matches beating the wintery weather on Sunday 12 March 2023.
Mowi National Division Inverness 1 Skye Camanachd 4 Skye Camanachd and Inverness were to meet at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Saturday 11 March 2023 but an unplayable pitch led to a venue switch to the Bught Park. Sarah Yoxon has returned to the Skye side this season and she put the Islanders ahead in this noon throw up. Inverness levelled through Isla McNeil but Skye regained the lead when Sarah Yoxon scored for the second time. Donna MacKenzie also scored twice to make the final score 4-1.
Glenurquhart 0 Lochaber 4 Lochaber were 4-0 winners against Glenurquhart in their 11.30pm throw up at Blairbeg on Saturday 11 March 2023. Natalie MacDonald scored twice with Leah Maxtone and Hannah MacDonald also on target.
Badenoch P Glasgow Mid Argyll P Badenoch will have to wait to begin their title defence as their 3pm throw up with Glasgow Mid Argyll will be rescheduled as the Dell was frozen.
Aberdour P Ardnamurchan P Aberdour’s 1pm throw up with Ardnamurchan at Silversands also fell foul to a pitch inspection.
Mowi North Division 2 Inverness B 5 Strathspey 2 Inverness B beat Strathspey 5-2 at the Bught Park. Isla McNeil and Kamryn Hughes both scored twice for Inverness with Claire MacDonald getting the other whilst Charlotte Bisset and Stacey Tinney replied for Strathspey.
Lovat P Skye Camanachd B P Lovat’s 1pm throw up against Skye Camanachd B was postponed as Balgate was ruled unplayable.
Badenoch B P Kinlochshiel P The 1pm clash between Badenoch B and Kinlochshiel was called off due to a frozen pitch at the Market Stance.
Strathglass P Glenurquhart P The derby between Strathglass and Glenurquhart at Cannich was postponed due to an unplayable pitch. |