The skies had started to clear by kick-off and Badentarbet was bathed in glorious sunshine. The Uppies (Achiltibuie, Polglass, Badenscallie and Achduart) were a few players short so the Doonies (Polbain, Achnahaird, Altandhu and Reiff) generously let visitors play on their side. The aim of the game was for the Doonies to get the ball to the Achiltibuie road sign — and for the Uppies to reach the Polbain sign. Sheila Green did the honours again this year and kicked off the game.

A huge ruck quickly formed and it looked like the Uppies could make up for their dismal performance last year. The Waltons (Uppies) did some fine charging and they made good ground. However, the Doonies weren’t going to roll over so easily and play got even faster. Eilean Green (Doonie) performed a monumental tackle when she picked up Neil Mackenzie, a visitor playing for the Uppies, and threw him to the ground.

It came down to the Achnahaird Macleods (Doonies) once again this year to produce the winning passage of play, the beauty of which is rarely seen in modern sport.

Dan Walton, of the Uppies, with his warpaint still on, enjoying some stovies after the match.

Ali ‘Post’ Macleod snatched the ball from an Uppies ruck and passed it through a series of Doonies to his young son Calum who sneaked off around the sheep fank.

He made it to the end of Badentarbet green before he was caught by Andrew MacNeilage (Uppie). His elder brother Alistair took the ball and side-stepped some Uppies in a move the Scottish rugby side could learn from. But they were hot on his heels, so he passed it to the third Macleod brother, Rhuaraidh. The Uppies swooped on Rhuaraidh but he managed to pass the ball back to Calum who sprinted off unchallenged through bog and marsh to Achiltibuie. The players all joined up at the end for more drinks in the fank. Lesley Muir very kindly cooked up some very tasty stovies.

Calum Macleod was named as man of the match and awarded the ball for the second year running. He is said to be going for a hat-trick next year. The trophy is once again in its resting place in the Furan Bar, Altandhu.

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