ON SATURDAY, Kinlochshiel became the first team to complete a season in the Marine Harvest North Division One with a 100 per cent record, when they defeated second-placed Lochaber 7-2 at Spean Bridge.
It has been an eventful season for the Wester Ross club, who should prove doughty challengers in the Premier Division next season. One set-back during the season was their exit from the Balliemore Cup, of which they were holders, to an in-form Caberfeidh.
On Saturday, Shiel scorers were Keith Macrae, Fraser MacVicar, Finlay Macrae (2), John Macrae, Steven Callender and Calum Maclean
Beauly, who had fallen to Shiel the previous week at Braeview Park, were North Division One visitors to Castle Leod on Saturday in a game which produced thrill after thrill from beginning to end, with Caberfeidh trailing 3-1 at the interval, but coming back in the second half and securing a well-deserved 3-3 draw.
Play was of a high standard and the atmosphere electric.
The referee's stop-watch stopped, but who among the spectators cared one way or another as thrill followed thrill and one goalmouth and then the other was put under pressure. Here was entertainment of the highest order. And it was here that one marvelled at the caman skills and the ingenuity of captain Kevin Bartlett as he brought his players into the scheme of things.
Both teams were up for it in producing one of the most entertaining encounters of the season at Castle Leod. First half scorers for Beauly were Stephen Maclean in the 16th minute, and Connor Ross (2) in the 18th and 21st minutes. Caberfeidh were down and out, it appeared, but then Stewart Krzyzanowski reduced the leeway in the 30th minute.
In the second half, Ali Maclennan scored in the 55th minute, and Martin Macdonald in the 80th minute, before the referee's watch appears to have stopped, and spectators enjoyed an added ten minutes of first class entertainment.
In the third North Division One match played, Lochcarron and Inverness drew 2-2 at Battery Park. Gregor Cushnie scored both Lochcarron goals, and Colin Fraser and David Higham, the Inverness counters, the equalising goal coming from David Higham in the 90th minute. Other results
Marine Harvest North Division Two Lochaber 4, Fort William 2; Skye 3, Glenurquhart 1; Kingussie 6, Lovat 1; and earlier in the week: Lochaber 2, Newtonmore 4.
Marine Harvest North Division Three Caberfeidh 7, Loch Broom 2.
Scottish Hydro Premier Division results Kingussie 1, Newtonmore 6; Kyles Athletic 4, Fort William 1. Strathdearn Cup final: Glengarry 2, Newtonmore 3.
Fixtures tomorrow (Saturday), which throw-up at 2,30pm, unless otherwise stated, are:
Scottish Hydro Premier Division Glenorchy v Glenurquhart; Kilmallie v Newtonmore; Kyles Athletic v Kingussie (3pm); and Oban Camanachd v Fort William.
Marine Harvest North Division One Skye v Caberfeidh. Marine Harvest North Division Two: Kinlochshiel v Glenurqhart ; Lovat v Fort William.
FRASER Macgregor, who has been a stalwart in the Caberfeidh Shinty Club for the past twenty-six years, has retired from the playing side of the sport.
However, his clubmates decided to honour him during the recent celebrations of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the Club. "Conspring" with former player and kitman, Mr Johnny Sinclair, Lochussie, a craftsman of the first order, he produced a Caman, which now holds a special place in Fraser's mementoes of the game. It is inscribed "Presented to Fraser MacGregor for 26 years of dedication to Caberfeidh Shinty Club".
Johnny had the honour of making the presentation on behalf of the players. A card containing the signatures of all the players accompanied the gift.
