Kingussie, Newtonmore & Fort William open with wins
Kingussie opened their defence of the Mowi Premiership title with a comfortable 3-0 home success over newly-promoted Beauly. Fort William made a more convincing return to the top flight with a 3-1 victory against Kyles at An Aird.Newtonmore began with a 2-0 away success over Caberfeidh and Lovat edged visitors Skye 2-1, while Oban Camanachd and Kinlochshiel finished 1-1 at Mossfield.Roddy Young got an early opener for Kingussie who then had to wait until the last 10 minutes for a Eion Baikie double to seal the points.Fort's breakthrough came from Lachie Shaw right at the start of the second half. Archie MacKinnon extended their lead on the hour and Scott MacDonald pulled one back for Kyles before Shaw's second in the penultimate minute buried the game.Iain Robinson in the first half and Joe Coyle in the second secured the points for Newtonmore.Lewis Tawse and Marc MacLachlan gave Lovat a 2-0 half-time lead as Ruaraidh MacLeod's response for Skye produced a grandstand finish.Ross Campbell opened for Oban Camanachd after just two minutes and Archie MacRae equalised before the half hour.The first goal and the first hat-trick of the new season came in Lochaber's 7-1 National Division crushing of Col Glen in the early throw up at Spean Bridge. It came from Max Campbell, son of former Lochaber captain, motor neurone disease sufferer Lachlan Campbell, who is engaged in a major fundraising exercise on behalf of fellow victims.Glasgow Mid Argyll, with a Calum McLay hat-trick, overwhelmed Strathglass 4-0 at Yoker and Glenurquhart and Kilmallie shared four goals.
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BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Shinty: Kingussie maintain advantage at Mowi Premiership summit
Victories for the top four left the business end of the Mowi Premiership unchanged, with Kingussie maintaining their slender one-point lead at the league leaders had to work hard for a 1-0 win at the home of determined bottom side Camanachd edged Kinlochshiel by the same score in Wester Ross and Fort William defeated Kyles 2-1 at extended their run to seven straight league and cup victories, 4-0 against visitors Caberfeidh and in Portree, Skye escaped the second relegation place, consigning Lovat to it on a 5-2 Balliemore Cup favourites Lochaber ground out a 2-1 victory over Oban Celtic at Mossfield Borthwick's goal midway through the first half was all that separated champions Kingussie and a Beauly side which looked far better than their league position suggests.A first-half Daniel MacVicar penalty kept Oban Camanachd in second William kept in pursuit when Calum Shepherd scored just before half-time and Ewen Campbell just after, with Roddy MacDonald's counter insufficient to salvage anything for Newtonmore opened up a four-point gap over their opponents when Joe Coyle and Iain Robinson made it 2-0 at the interval, before Robinson's second and a goal from Conor Jones completed the MacKinnon, Ross Gordon and Ruaraidh MacLeod all scored for Skye late in the first half. James MacPherson pulled one back for Lovat and Dan MacDonald made it 4-1 before Cameron MacMillan grabbed the visitors' second and MacLeod completed a double in stoppage time to round it now contemplate the MacTavish Cup final against Kingussie from second bottom place in the league with an extra game Celtic created a whiff of a Balliemore upset when Kyle MacFarlane put them ahead as the interval beckoned, but a Shaun Nicholson double eventually put Lochaber rushed to a 4-0 lead against Strathglass from the league above them before prevailing 4-2. Cup specialists Inveraray disposed of Aberdour 4-0 including a Lewis Montgomery hat-trick and Col Glen progressed 3-0 on penalties after 120 minutes of play produced a 3-3 draw with Glasgow Mid Argyll.
Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Chilli is back on the menu at Newtonmore ahead of Caberfeidh clash
Shinty's opening day fixture list is reversed as the Mowi Premiership approaches the halfway point. Cameron 'Chilli' McNiven returns for Newtonmore against Caberfeidh. His manager Peter Ross said: 'Chilli's back and we've a clean bill of health other than Michael Russell and Brodie MacBean who have longer-term injuries. 'Brodie has been to Ross Hall Hospital and might need a clean-up operation on his knee but getting him back is going to be such a big boost. I think he's a perfect forward. 'Drew MacDonald and Ritchie Irvine got good game time for the second team last week.' With top scorer Craig Morrison missing through injury, Cabers boss Garry Reid has seen his side draw blanks in their last two outings. He said: 'We just couldn't break Beauly down last week. We had lots of ball in the forward areas, but they defended pretty well. 'I don't think Craig Morrison is ready for a return quite yet and we're also missing Kevin Bartlett. Logan Beaton has picked up a hamstring injury, so I don't think he'll make it either, but Gavin McLaughlin comes back into the squad.' With the WM Donald MacTavish Cup final against Kingussie just a week away, Lovat manager Iain Nicolson takes his side for face former club Skye Camanachd in Portree. He said: 'Unfortunately, we have a few missing for various reasons which isn't ideal both for this important game and in terms of our preparation for the final, but it is what it is. 'That said, I have faith in the boys to get a result and I'm looking forward to coming up against good friends and old teammates.' Skye manager Kenny MacLeod recognises that it's a chance to move out of the relegation zone, saying: 'It's a massive opportunity for us to start climbing the table and I'm fully expecting a tight contest. 'I'm also looking forward to coming up against a good family friend and former teammate in Iain Nicolson. 'I've followed Lovat closely since his appointment, wanting him to do well, but that won't be the case this weekend. 'We'll be at full strength, which is a big boost, and it's great to see Jordan Murchison back training and getting valuable minutes with the second team. He's looking sharp and not far off being in the mix for selection again.' Kingussie manager Iain Borthwick gave a grim report ahead of the trip to Beauly. He said: 'It's not looking good as Rory MacKeachan had a recurrence of his hamstring injury against Skye whilst Savio Genini and Lee Bain are both working. Dylan Borthwick's unavailable and Cammie Bremner only flies back from holiday on Saturday. It's also too early for Liam Borthwick but he's getting there. 'I'm still happy with our 15-player squad. I know they won't let me down and that will make my selection even more difficult come the MacTavish final.' Kinlochshiel's Ali Nixon will have a late fitness test ahead of Oban Camanachd's visit. Shiel manager Willie MacRae said: 'Ali's hopeful and Arron Jack returns. Finlay MacRae and David Falconer are still sidelined, and Mark MacDonald is working.' Daniel Maccuish remains Oban Camanachd's main concern. Kyles Athletic defender Jamie Forgrieve is free from suspension for Fort William's visit. Ferguson Transport and Shipping Balliemore Cup semi-final places are up for grabs and holders Glasgow Mid Argyll visit Col Glen who are without the suspended Jamie MacVicar. The 2023 winners Lochaber are off to Oban Celtic, Inveraray host Aberdour whilst Strathglass and Inverness have derby clash at Cannich. Badenoch extended their lead at the top of the Mowi WCA Premier League after winning 6-1 at Kinlochshiel. Megan Ralph and Kirsty Deans both bagged doubles with Zoe Reid and Hope Borthwick making up their count. Lexie MacKenzie replied. Glenurquhart remain bottom of the table despite their goalless draw with Glasgow Mid Argyll. The Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup quarter-final ties take place this weekend and holders Lochaber travel to Inverness.
Press and Journal
01-06-2025
- Press and Journal
Shinty: Holders Kingussie edge Skye in Camanachd Cup in 'tough battle'
Skye Camanachd officially opened the Donnie Martin Stand ahead of their Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup second round tie with Kingussie. Tributes were paid and toasts were made to the Skye stalwart who died in a road accident three years ago. When attention switched to on-field matters, Skye gave a good account of themselves before eventually going down 2-1 to the holders. Skye's Ruaraidh MacLeod saw an effort disallowed for offside before Dylan Borthwick put Kingussie ahead following a corner from the left. Dan MacDonald levelled soon after but Roddy Young put Kingussie back in front three minutes after the restart following Iain Fraser's good run down the right. Kingussie captain Thomas Borthwick said: 'That was a tough battle and there wasn't much between the teams to be honest. 'At half-time, we thought we'd done well against the wind so wanted to make a strong start to the second half, and we could have gone further ahead before Skye came back strongly, and it was backs-against-the wall at the end.' Skye keeper Ryan Morrison added: 'It's a very tough one to take as I thought we were always in the game. 'Kingussie being Kingussie took their chances, but we matched them for much of the game but just couldn't get the ball in the net.' Oban Camanachd defeated south rivals Kyles Athletic 2-0 to reach Monday's quarter-final draw. Daniel MacVicar beat four players to bag the opener while Garry Lord added a second from Ross Macmillan's knockdown. Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: 'We played very well in the first half and scored whilst on top. We had to dig deep at times and playing Garry Lord in attack paid off whilst Louie MacFarlane was probably man of the match.' Victor Smith put Kilmallie to the sword again as the Fort William hitman netted four times in a 6-1 derby win. Lachie Smith added two more whilst Lewis Birrell notched a consolation effort for Kilmallie who had Calum MacDougall sent off 20 minutes from time. Newtonmore scored twice in each half to beat Glenurquhart 4-0. Iain Robinson turned home a rebound after Stuart MacKintosh saved from Matthew Sloss with Sloss then checking inside to finish well on his left side. Declan Brannan's cross-field pass found substitute Joe Coyle who added a third and Robinson's second came a minute after, capitalising on a defensive slip to run in and score from a tight angle. The result stretches Newtonmore's time without conceding a goal to 558 minutes. Lochaber led Lovat through Ben Delaney's 12-minute goal, but Callum Cruden levelled just before the hour, sending a penalty high by stand-in keeper Brennan Macdonald. Graeme Macmillan bagged the winner soon after. Lovat had keeper Ronan Macmillan to thank for twice saving Max Campbell's retaken penalty near the end. Beauly stunned Caberfeidh, winning 3-1 after penalties following their goalless draw. Keeper Lee Dunbar scored Beauly's first spot-hit with Ryan MacKay and Euan Mccormick also keeping their nerves to convert. Kinlochshiel beat Inverness 6-0 with John MacRae and Archie MacRae both netting twice. The others came from Keith MacRae and his nephew Jay MacRae, with the 15-year-old scoring his first senior goal. Inveraray won 3-0 at Glasgow Mid Argyll. All the goals came during the final 25 minutes with Lewis Montgomery setting up both Ewan Donnan and Campbell Watt before Coll MacKay tapped home the third. Inveraray keeper Scott MacLachlan saved a first-half penalty. Col Glen are just a point behind Mowi National Division leaders Lochaber after Auryn Kerr's early goal was enough to earn a 1-0 win at Bute. Col Glen's Jamie MacVicar was sent off five minutes from time. Former Oban Camanachd manager Gareth Evans made his refereeing debut, taking charge of Lochside's 5-0 Bullough Cup quarter-final win against Strachur-Dunoon.
