The Shinty Preview – Saturday 1 September 2012 - UPDATED! | |
30 August 2012 It’s another important day in the Orion Group title race and both the North and South junior cup finals take place on Saturday 1 September 2012.
Strathdearn Cup Final Fort William v Beauly Fort William and Beauly contest the Strathdearn Cup Final at Craigard, Invergarry. The Fort, marshalled at the back by the experienced Adam Robertson, have struggled in Marine Harvest North Division 2 this season but manager Victor Smith has persevered with a youthful line-up including the likes of brothers Jack and Mark Fraser and Cameron Grant. Beauly have been the top side in Marine Harvest North Division 3 this year by a distance. They too have a blend of experience and youth with Roger Cormack key in defence and U17 forward Calum Morrison complimenting the more experienced Martin Davidson, Conor Ross and Sean Stewart in attack. Throw up for what is sure to be an entertaining tussle is at 3pm and Robert Morrison is the match referee.
Bullough Cup Final Lochside Rovers v Ballachulish Lochside Rovers and Ballachulish will battle it out in the Bullough Cup Final at An Aird, Fort William. Both sides operated in Marine Harvest South Division 1 last season but both dropped a division for different reasons. Lochside won the title with Ballachulish looking set for a third place finish. The final had been due to take place at the Winterton but it was switched to An Aird Inveraray’s pitch was unable to take two games. Throw up is at 1.30pm and Daniel MacRae is the match referee.
Orion Group Premiership Bute v Newtonmore League leaders Newtonmore head for Rothesay to play Bute. The Islanders are likely to give youth a chance in preparation for next season in Marine Harvest South Division 1. Newtonmore full centre Jamie Robinson missed last week’s win over Kingussie and Glen MacKintosh could again deputise in the middle of the park. Kyles Athletic v Kinlochshiel Kyles Athletic welcome Kinlochshiel to Tighnabruaich. Kyles received a boost last weekend when young defender Zac Coley returned after a hand injury and he has time to play his way into the Kyles Camanachd Cup Final line-up. The visitors have doubts over Paul MacRae who has an eye injury and defender Zander Grant who has an ankle injury and manager Johnston Gill will do late checks on both. Throw up 3pm. Inveraray v Glenurquhart Inveraray play Glenurquhart at the Winterton. Inveraray boss John Smylie will make his team selection with the Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup Final in mind as he won’t want to incur any suspensions for shinty’s big day. This is the Glen’s first outing since their Artemis Macaulay Cup success and they will have a major say in the title destination as their final two games will be home and away to league leaders Newtonmore. David Smart is suspended for the visitors. Throw up is at 3pm. Kingussie v Lovat Kingussie take on Lovat at the Dell. King’s boss Russell Jones is likely to keep faith with 15 year old duo Savio Genini, who scored on his debut last weekend, and Rory MacKeachan. Greg Matheson is an injury doubt for Lovat but boss Allan MacRae will give his prize striker every chance to prove his fitness.
Marine Harvest North Division 1 Skye Camanachd v Strathglass Following last week’s draw with Caberfeidh, Skye Camanachd know that another slip-up would be fatal to their chances of winning the league when they face Strathglass at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. Other than the Orion Premiership, this is the only other league title still to be decided as the 2012 season draws to a close. Skye manager Willie MacRae hopes to have full back Steven Morrison back after he missed last week’s game with a leg injury. Throw up is at 3.30pm. Lochaber v Beauly Lochaber and Beauly meet at Spean Bridge. Second place Lochaber trail Skye by three points but they have three games in hand. Lachlan Campbell and Hughie Innes could return for Lochaber whilst Danny Delaney is free of suspension. A third place finish is well within Beauly’s grasp as they have four more matches remaining after this one. Throw up is at noon which will allow the Beauly team and support to head for Invergarry afterwards to watch their second team in Strathdearn Cup Final action.
Marine Harvest South Division 1 Glenorchy P Oban Camanachd P The match between Glenorchy and champions Oban Camanachd is postponed because of an unplayable field.
Marine Harvest North Division 2 Skye Camanachd v Newtonmore Third place Skye Camanachd host champions Newtonmore at Pairc nan Laoch, Portree. This is both teams last match of the season. Skye are a point behind second place Kinlochshiel who also have one game to go. This is the first part of a home double-header with the Islanders first team in action later in the afternoon. Throw up is at 1pm. Glenurquhart v Glengarry Glenurquhart meet Glengarry at Blairbeg. The Glen’s priority will be the re-arranged Sutherland Cup Final with the final date yet to be confirmed. Glengarry will be without Scott Johnstone who is suspended. Throw up is at 1pm.
Marine Harvest South Division 2 Kyles Athletic v Bute There is a derby at Tighnabruaich between Kyles Athletic and Bute. The home side sit in second place and their goal difference is such that third place Ballachulish are unlikely to over-take them regardless the result in this one. Bute have three more matches remaining after this one which is more than any other team in the league. Throw up is at noon.
Marine Harvest North Division 3 Kilmallie v Lochcarron Kilmallie and Lochcarron clash at the Canal Parks. This is the west coast side’s final game of the season and a win will take them a point above Kilmallie who still have another game to play. |