The Newtonmore second team lifted the HIS Sutherland Cup, Lochaber are Mowi National Division champions, Bute won Mowi South Division 1 whilst Kilmory claimed Mowi South Division 2 following the shinty action on Saturday 9 September 2023.

 

 

Mowi Premiership

Kinlochshiel 1 Oban Camanachd 4

Oban Camanachd recovered from the loss of an early goal to win 4-1 in their 3pm throw up at Rèaraig.

Manager Gareth Evans travelled with a strong squad, wanting to give his players minutes ahead of Saturday’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final against Kingussie. Craig Macmillan, Andy MacDonald and Evan MacLellan made up their bench. The squad strength was emphasised as Scott Robertson and Scott MacMillan featured for Lochside with Daniel Cameron and Ross Macmillan both suspended.

‘Shiel manager Willie MacRae plans to rest John MacRae for the remainder of the season following his return from a back injury whilst Ali Nixon took a place on the bench after suffering a hand injury in the side’s last outing against Glasgow Mid Argyll.

Oban Camanachd made a bright start to the match, so much so that Keith MacRae’s opener on 5 minutes came against the run of early play.

However, with Gareth Evans reorganising his troops, Malcolm Clark levelled almost straight from the restart with the goal of the match. The ball was played into the middle of the ‘Shiel defence where Malcolm Clark played it wide to Daniel MacVicar. MacVicar ran up the line and with Clark making a run to the far side, MacVicar cut the ball across to the left of the penalty spot where Malcolm Clark struck it first time into the top left corner of the net, past a helpless Josh Grant in the home goal. It was a great move and a fantastic finish.

Malcolm Clark got his second on 36 minutes, showing great technique as he crashed the ball into the bottom left corner side-netting, on his backhand, as he was running away from goal.

The Oban side made a series of changes with Saturday’s Scottish final in mind as Lewis Cameron, Daniel MacCuish and Daniel Madej were replaced by Craig Macmillan, Andy MacDonald and Evan MacLellan with Blair Macfarlane going to centre and MacLellan on the wing.

Craig Macmillan made it 3-1 on 72 minutes after a Matthew Sloss through ball went by Malcolm Clark and Craig Macmillan ran onto it at the edge of the D, taking a touch and sending the ball by the keeper.

Scott Mckillop was then withdrawn with Daniel Madej coming back on in defence.

Malcolm Clark completed his hat-trick a minute from time. The ball came to Clark at the right of the penalty spot, and he struck it on his right side. Mark MacDonald managed to block the effort, but Clark ran onto the rebound to the left of the penalty spot and although he didn’t catch the ball cleanly, it bounced by Josh Grant to make it 4-1.

 

Kingussie 2 Kyles Athletic 1

Kingussie return to the top of the Mowi Premiership after scoring twice in stoppage time to beat Kyles Athletic 2-1 at the Dell.

Kyles went into the game with five successive league wins under their belt and only trailing Kingussie by a point. However, they travelled north without talisman Roddy Macdonald.

Kingussie boss Iain Borthwick welcomed Thomas Borthwick back into his starting line-up whilst Kieran Macpherson recovered sufficiently from a leg knock to play the full game. However, James Falconer and Rory MacKeachan missed out through injury.

Kyles, who lost Will Cowie early in the game with a hamstring injury, took the lead a couple of minutes from the end of the first half with Ross Macrae scoring.

Some positional changes brought Kingussie more into it in the second half, but Kyles stayed in front though a stop-start second half.

With the match 3 minutes into stoppage time, Kingussie drew level. The ball was played in to Savio Genini from the right side to the edge of the box. Genini took one touch onto his forehand before striking the ball on the half-volley into the roof of the net and it looked as if Kingussie had salvaged a point.

However, with 8 minutes stoppage time now showing on the clock, a good Lee Bain run drew Savio Genini’s marker away and Bain slipped the ball to his strike partner in space on the left side of the box and, on his backhand, Genini struck a bullet-shot off the post and into the net to win the game.

One slight concern is that Kieran Macpherson required 4 stitches below the knee after the game, but he is expected to take his usual place for Saturday’s final.

 

Lovat 2 Skye Camanachd 0

Lovat beat Skye Camanachd 2-0 in their noon throw up at Balgate.

Manager Jamie Matheson continued to rest Daniel Grieve, Drew Howie, Graeme MacMillan and Lorne MacKay for the Balgate man whilst Fraser Heath was unavailable.

Skye boss Kenny MacLeod travelled without suspended pair John Gillies and Sam MacPhee whilst Martin Pringle was unavailable, so James Morrison, Ally MacLeod, Ross MacKinnon and William MacKinnon played in a revamped defence. 

Greg Matheson caught Skye cold, forcing the ball come from close range after just 2 minutes.

Skye came more into it as the game went on and Ross Gordon scored from James Pringle’s quick free-hit but the referee asked for it to be retaken.

Skye were enjoying a good period when Marc MacLachlan scored a stunning second for the home side on 61 minutes. MacLachlan turned Skye’s Ally MacLeod and he didn’t break stride as he sent a rasping shot into the corner of the net on his backhand. 

 

Glasgow Mid Argyll 2 Caberfeidh 5

Caberfeidh go fourth in the table after beating Glasgow Mid Argyll 5-2 in their 3pm throw up at Peterson Park.

GMA led though Calum McLay on 15 minutes, but Kevin Bartlett got in behind the home defence to level on 17 minutes.

Craig Morrison put Cabers in front on 32 minutes, blocking an attempted clearance by GMA keeper Jonathan Oates before flicking the ball home and, just 3 minutes later, an unmarked Kevin Bartlett made it 3-1 following a quick Kyle Grant free-hit.

GMA cut the deficit a minute after the restart through Craig Anderson, but Craig Morrison went on to complete his hat-trick with efforts on 64 and 77 minutes. Morrison finished with a low 20 yard drive after a great passing move down the left with Kevin Bartlett before volleying home an unstoppable shot from 15 yards out following Bartlett’s cross-field pass from the left. 

 

 

Mowi National Division

Kilmallie 1 Lochaber 2

Lochaber are Mowi National Division champions after coming from a goal down to beat Kilmallie 2-1 in their 3pm throw up at the Canal Park.

After a goalless first half, Calum MacDougall put the home side ahead a couple of minutes after the restart. 

However, Duncan MacKinnon equalised on 61 minutes but the visitors had Ryan Johnstone sent off a minute later by referee Alec MacVicar. 

With just a couple of the 90 minutes to play, and just as he has done so often this season, Ben Delaney popped up with the winning goal to secure the title and promotion back to the Mowi Premiership.

The second promotion spot will be decided in the coming weeks between Fort William, Glenurquhart and Kilmallie.

 

Strathglass 3 Col Glen 1

Strathglass boosted their chances of moving off the bottom of the table when they came from behind to beat Col Glen 3-1 in their 1pm throw up at Cannich.

Hamish Harrison put the visitors ahead after 20 minutes, but Penri Jones scored on 36 minutes to make it 1-1 at the break.

The impressive Penri Jones then went on to complete his hat-trick with efforts on 50 and 85 minutes.

 

Oban Celtic 0 Inveraray 0

With Strathglass winning, it was vital that Oban Celtic took something from their 1.30pm throw up with Inveraray at Mossfield and they played out a goalless draw to claim what could yet prove to be a valuable point.

Celtic are now a point ahead of bottom side Strathglass. The sides are scheduled to meet at Mossfield on Saturday 23 September 2023 with the Oban side completing their season at home to Lochaber a week later whilst Strathglass play their last match at Kilmallie on the same day.

 

 

Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup Final

Skye Camanachd 2 Newtonmore 4

The Newtonmore seconds retained the HIS Sutherland Cup, beating the Skye Camanachd seconds 4-2 in the final at Blairbeg.

A big crowd gathered in the sunshine for this 3pm throw up with the teams and officials led onto the field by a pipe band.

Newtonmore made the better start and Glen Mackintosh gave them a 13 minute lead, smashing home the ball on his left side when Skye couldn’t clear Charlie Ferguson’s cross from the right.

Skye went close on a couple of occasions before Shockie MacLennan levelled on 32 minutes, sending the ball high into the net on the turn when James Robertson played on Seonaidh-Alex MacLeod’s hit-in from the right.

Jamie Robinson’s introduction helped settle ‘More and they got their noses back in front a minute before the interval when Glen MacKintosh took down Charlie Ferguson’s high ball from the right and, with his back to goal, his low strike crept by Skye keeper Calum Nicolson’s feet.

Skye came back again and Shockie MacLennan equalised for a second time on 49 minutes, getting into the D ahead of his marker to sweep home Archie MacDonald’s corner from the right.

Newtonmore were not to be denied though and they took the lead for a third time on 55 minutes. Good closing down on the right from young ‘More substitutes Tommy Stewart and Kyle Clark prevented Skye clearing the ball out of defence and Glen MacKintosh played Clark’s low cross to Charlie Ferguson in space on the left. Ferguson had time to tee the ball up before beating the keeper low by his right post to make it 3-2. 

This time Newtonmore stayed in front and Glen MacKintosh completed his hat-trick with 11 minutes remaining. Tommy Stewart fed Jamie Robinson who twice exchanged passes with Glen MacKintosh to the right of the penalty spot before the former Scotland forward found enough space to blast the ball high into the net from the tightest of angles on the right.

When match referee Craig Scott blew for time, all that remained was for the inaugural Sir William Sutherland man of the match trophy, donated by Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan and believed to be an earlier incarnation of the Sutherland Cup itself, to be presented to Glen MacKintosh and for Newtonmore captain Ritchie Irvine to step forward to receive the famous trophy from Garry MacKintosh, representing sponsors HIS who put on a magnificent occasion to mark the 100^th final.

At the reception afterwards, Newtonmore presented both Garry MacKintosh from sponsors HIS and Skye Camanachd manager Willie MacDonald with special framed Newtonmore tops to mark the centenary final. James Brannan handed over the gift to HIS with Mark Taylor making the presentation to Skye.

A collection in the hospitality tent raised over £1,300 for Shinty Memories Scotland which Garry MacKintosh, from sponsors Highland Industrial Supplies, agreed to match which was a wonderful gesture appreciated by all at Shinty Memories.

 

 

Mowi North Division 1

Beauly 1 Fort William 1

Sean Maclellan scored 7 minutes from time to earn the Fort William seconds a 1-1 draw with the Beauly seconds in their noon throw up at Braeview Park.

Duncan Stevenson was suspended but Greig Kelly returned from his ban for the Strathdearn Cup winners.

The hosts included Jack MacDonald and he scored with a firm strike on 34 minutes to give his side an interval lead.

However, with the clock running down, Sean Maclellan scored a late leveller to put the Fort second in the table on goal difference.

 

Kinlochshiel 4 Inverness 1

The Kinlochshiel seconds defeated the Inverness senior side 4-1 in their noon throw up at Rèaraig. 

Rhuairaidh MacDonald on 25 minutes and Zander MacRae on 38 minutes made it 2-0 at the interval.

Skye MacKintosh reduced the deficit on 58 minutes before Rhuairaidh MacDonald got his second on 65 minutes.

Seumas Martin made it 4-1 with 5 minutes to go. 

 

 

Mowi South Division 1

Glasgow Mid Argyll 1 Bute 4 

The Bute first team bagged the Mowi South Division 1 title, and national division shinty next season, following their 4-1 win over the Glasgow Mid Argyll second team in their noon throw up at Peterson Park.

Rory McDonald scored the only goal of the first half on 23 minutes with Robin McAllister adding a brace on 54 and 67 minutes.

Iain McDonald made it 4-0 on 74 minutes before Seb MacMillan scored a consolation goal with 6 minutes remaining.

With one game to go, at home to GMA, Bute still have a 100% record in the league and have been the division’s outstanding side over the season.

 

Lochside Rovers 6 Kyles Athletic 0

Lochside Rovers climb to third in Mowi South Division 1 after beating the newly crowned MKM Building Supplies Oban Bullough Cup winners Kyles Athletic colts 6-0 at Ganavan.

Lochside were looking to avenge their semi-final defeat to Kyles in the Bullough and they had Scott MacMillan and Scott Robertson in their starting line-up, giving both valuable game time before Saturday’s Scottish final.

It was a dominant display with Lochside, scoring five times in a devastating first half through Lewis Buchannan on 9 minutes, Jordan Kerr just 4 minutes after, Kyle MacFarlane on 25 minutes, Scott MacMillan with a great strike from distance on the half hour and another from man of the match Kyle MacFarlane with just 5 first half minutes remaining. 

Lochside shuffled the pack in the second half, bringing on youngsters Fraser Macmillan and Logie Johnston.

The only goal of the second period was another from Jordan Kerr, a fine strike on 55 minutes.

Recent performances have given the Lochside coaches plenty encouragement ahead of next season with their main aim to get in and about the silverware once again.

Lochside’s last league game of the season is away to the Glasgow Mid Argyll seconds a week on Saturday.

 

 

Mowi North Division 2

Boleskine 0 Lochcarron 5

Lochcarron moved a step closer to the Mowi North Division 2 title when they beat Boleskine 5-0 in their noon throw up at Smith Park.

Despite opening against the wind, Boleskine started well but it was Lochcarron who went in front on 15 minutes when Fraser Frost controlled a long strike forward and with the ball eventually coming to Matthew Brady, he pushed it home from close range.

Boleskine responded and Michael MacMillan saved well from Connor Aubrey but Crisdean Finlayson then escaped the clutches of two home defenders before running in to make it 2-0.

Crisdean Finlayson scored his second and Lochcarron’s third goal with a terrific 25 yard strike into the roof of the net to give Lochcarron a three-goal interval cushion.

Matthew Brady got his second goal of the game, played in by Lachlan Dean Morrice, with his effort going in off the keeper’s stick.

Lachlan Dean Morrice then turned scorer as he held off his marker to make space to score from 20 yards out, low into the corner of the goal.

Lochcarron must now take three points from their final two matches against the Kilmallie seconds and the Strathglass seconds to take the championship at Lewis Camanachd's expense.

 

Kilmallie W/O v Aberdeen University

The Kilmallie colts were awarded the points when Aberdeen University were unable to field a team for their noon throw up at the Canal Park.

The Students have been deducted a point.

 

Lochaber P Strathglass P

The match between Lochaber seconds and the Strathglass seconds at Spean Bridge has been rescheduled for Saturday 7 October 2023.

 

 

Mowi South Division 2

Bute 0 Kilmory 3

Kilmory are Mowi South Division 2 champions after overcoming the Bute second team 3-0 at the Meadows.

Kilmory made a nervous start but scored twice late in the first half through Euan Gilmour on 40 minutes and Alex Cunningham just 3 minutes later.

Bruce Johnstone rounded off the scoring on the hour and Ronnie Campbell’s side will play in Mowi South Division 1 next season.

 

 

(All throw ups were at 2.30pm unless the match reports states differently)

 

 

 

WCA Round Up

Badenoch were crowned Mowi National Division champions with most of the Women’s Camanachd Association action taking place on Sunday 10 September 2023.

 

 

Mowi National Division

Badenoch 9 Glenurquhart 0

Mowi National Division champions Badenoch were presented with the league trophy following their 9-0 win over Glenurquhart in their 12.30pm throw up at the Dell.

Kirsty Deans scored seven times for Badenoch with Eilidh Ross and Zoe Reid getting the others.

Newtonmore stalwart John MacKenzie handed over the Mowi National Division trophy to Badenoch skipper Megan Ralph after the game.

 

Lochaber 1 Inverness 0

Lochaber beat Inverness 1-0 in their 2.30pm throw up at Spean Bridge.

Mairi Duncan scored the only goal of the game.

 

Glasgow Mid Argyll 6 Ardnamurchan 1

Glasgow Mid Argyll defeated Ardnamurchan 6-1 in their 1pm throw up at Peterson Park

Christy Doherty and Joan Nicolson both bagged doubles for GMA with Kirsty Gray and Caitriona Stark also netting. Hannah MacDonald countered for Ard’.

 

Aberdour v Skye Camanachd W/O

Newly crowned Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup winners Skye Camanachd were given a walk-over when Aberdour were unable to field a team for their game at Silversands.

 

 

Mowi North Division 2

Skye Camanachd 7 Kinlochshiel 4

The Skye Camanachd second team recorded their first league win of the season when they beat league leaders Kinlochshiel 7-4 in their 6.30pm throw up at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Thursday 7 September 2023.

Abby Maclean, not long back from a spell abroad, scored all seven Skye goals with Lexie MacKenzie netting twice for ‘Shiel and Isabelle MacKenzie and Emily Gordon getting the others.

 

Badenoch 4 Glenurquhart 3

Badenoch B came from 2-0 down to beat Glenurquhart B 4-3 in their Mowi North Division 2 match at the Dell on Sunday.

Lyndsey Fleming and Freya Gault had the visitors 2-0 ahead in this 2.45pm throw up but efforts from Badenoch’s Orla Olds, Eleanor Anderson and Catrin MacLeod, as well as Amanda MacLennan for the Glen, had the match tied at 3-3.

And that’s how it looked this exciting encounter would finish until Badenoch’s Gabi Nagle proved to be the match-winner, scoring with the last hit of the game to seal a 4-3 win.

Earlier in the daw, Kingussie under-14 and Glenurquhart under-14 drew 1-1 in a closely contested friendly. Anna Dallas scored for Kingussie with Felicity Jones on target for the Glen.

 

Lovat 5 Inverness 1

Lovat overcame Inverness B 5-1 in their 2pm throw up at Balgate.

Lovat benefited from doubles from both Chloe MacMillian and Caroline Maclean with Katie Mackinnon also scoring. Orlagh Moran replied for Inverness.

 

Strathspey 3 Glengarry 4

Glengarry defeated Strathspey Camanachd 4-3 at Grantown Grammar School.

Charlotte Bisset scored twice for Strathspey with Lucy Davies also finding the target but Elaine Cameron’s hat-trick and Ruby Robson’s goal gave ‘Garry the points.

 

 

Mowi South Division 2

Glasgow Mid Argyll 3 Ardnamurchan 3

Hannah MacDonald’s hat-trick helped Ardnamurchan B to a 3-3 draw with Glasgow Mid Argyll B in their 3pm throw up at Peterson Park.

 

 

 

Youth Shinty

Fort William U17 2 Skye Camanachd U17 2

Fort William under-17 are through to the London Shield final after drawing 2-2 with Skye Camanachd under-17 at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree on Tuesday 5 September 2023.

The Fort led 2-1 from the first leg at An Aird a week earlier and they fell behind within minutes of this 6pm start with Skye’s Archie Millar scoring.

However, a quick break up-field saw the impressive Archie MacKinnon find Jack Kearney and he equalised. 

James Clark then thundered a penalty high into the net and the Fort led 2-1 at the interval.

Skye laid siege on the Fort goal for most of the second half, but their shooting lacked accuracy and the visitors defended well.

Archie Millar got his second from the penalty spot in stoppage time but there was only enough time for referee Ewen MacLean to restart the game before blowing for time.

Fort William now play Glenurquhart under-17 in the London Shield final after they defeated Beauly under-17 13-1 on aggregate in their semi.