Newtonmore crowned champions

NEWTONMORE overcame a determined Kinlochshiel with a 3-1 victory to secure the Orion Premiership for the fourth time in succession.

Needing just a draw to put them in an unassailable position, the Badenoch side got off to a dream start with goals from Danny MacRae and Glen MacKintosh putting them two ahead within the first 15 minutes.

But ‘Shiel’s teenage striker Duncan MacRae kept his side in contention with a goal in the 16th minute.

Kinlochshiel, needing at least a point to stave off the threat of relegation, battled hard, but their momentum was stalled just three minutes before the interval when Fraser MacKintosh struck to restore Newtonmore’s two-goal advantage.

Newtonmore, with one eye on Saturday’s Camanachd Cup clash against Kyles, saw out the second 45 minutes with ‘Shiel unable to penetrate the Badenoch side’s solid defence.

The champions, who declined the offer of a title presentation out of respect for Kinlochshiel, will receive the Orion Premiership trophy after their next league match against Fort William in two week’s time.

With the Camanachd Cup final also looming large on the horizon, celebrations were low key as the club begin a week’s intensive preparation ahead of their quest for the biggest prize in the sport.

There was cause for double celebration at the club after their reserve side swept to a 6-0 victory over Glengarry to clinch the Marine Harvest North Division Two title and complete a three in-a-row league triumph in this league.

Pre-match nerves were dispelled in the opening 20 minutes as the young ‘More side raced to a four-goal lead with Sam Richardson netting twice and Calum Stewart and Conor Jones also on target.

Goals from Jones and Craig MacLeod in the lead up to the break completed the scoring, leaving the Badenoch side to cruise through the second half before being presented with the trophy after the full-time whistle.

Fort William may be destined for the drop from the Premiership, but they are not going down without a fight and a 1-0 win over already relegated Oban Camanachd has thrown the An Aird side a survival lifeline.

Bryan Simpson struck the only goal of the match in the seventh minute, leaving the Fort to hang on as Oban came back strongly in their final match of the season.

The win moves Fort William to within two points of Kyles Athletic with Kinlochshiel, a further two ahead, also in their sights. But the An Aird side’s two remaining matches could hardly be more difficult as they face the top two — Newtonmore at home and Lovat away.

In the only other match in the top league, a last-gasp goal by former Strathglass favourite Lee Bain saw Kingussie grab a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Inveraray.

Earlier, Kingussie looked to be on course for the points that would have lifted them conclusively out of relegation danger had they held on to a two-goal lead given to them courtesy of strikes by Bain and Thom Borthwick.

But goals in the final 10 minutes from Lewis MacNicol and Garry MacPherson edged the visitors towards an unlikely share of the points until Bain swooped with virtually the last move of the match.

In a low key encounter at Cannich between Strathglass and Beauly on Friday evening, the curtain was brought down on North Division One for the season.

Beauly stunned the home side as they raced into a 3 -0 lead within the first 10 minutes with David MacLean netting a double and Ross Forbes also on target.

The match looked to be on course for a goals spree, but Strathglass regrouped to stem the flow as Beauly coasted to victory.

It was honours even at Kiltarlity as Lovat and Beauly met in a highly entertaining North Division Two clash.

Fraser Gallagher smashed home a penalty to fire Lovat into a sixth minute lead, but their advantage was shortlived with James Cameron levelling five minutes later. Two minutes from the break, Beauly went in front as Martin Davidson rifled home a spectacular 25-yard drive.

Three minutes after the restart, Beauly extended their lead after James Cameron scored a fine individual goal.

Gallagher hit his second in the 67th minute before Lovat’s Allan MacPherson was red carded for a last man challenge on Beauly’s Davie Groat. But there was a sting in the tail as 11-man Lovat rallied and with the last hit of the game, Iain Nicholson forced home the equaliser.

STRATHGLASS defeated Glasgow Mid Argyll 4-0 in the Marine Harvest Challenge Cup final at Newtonmore, part of the Cup Finals Day in the women’s game.

The goals came in a crazy eight minute spell just after the interval with Hazel Hunter hitting a double, while Laura Fraser and Sarah Pocock were also on target.

Badenoch and Strathspey won the prestigious Valerie Fraser Cup following a 3-1 triumph against Mid Argyll’s senior side.