Lovat aiming to close gap on Newtonmore
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MATTERS at the top of the Orion Premiership could be clearer at the end of tomorrow’s matches as Lovat look to close the gap on leaders Newtonmore.
There is also much to play for down at the foot of the table where Lochaber face a test of their nerve as they continue their desperate struggle to avoid relegation.
Lovat take on Kinlochshiel this weekend and manager Allan MacRae needs a performance from his squad after a lacklustre showing in the 1-1 draw against Glenurquhart.
MacRae hopes to have defender Michael MacKenzie back in the squad and Kevin Bartlett is available again following a suspension.
However, defender Drew Howie is out for Lovat with a knee injury and he faces a battle to be ready for next weekend’s MacAulay Cup semi-final clash against Newtonmore.
Lochaber are seeking their first league win of the campaign when they face Kyles Athletics at Spean Bridge.
In a mid-table clash, Glenurquhart host Kingussie with the former looking to tighten their grip on third place, which would give them their highest-ever finish in the top league.
The Glen will be without David MacLennan and Neale Reid, who are both suspended. For Kingussie, midfielder Fraser Munro starts a two-match ban.
As the relegation issue in the Orion Premiership moves to a conclusion, the question of who will replace either Lochaber or Kinlochshiel is still some way from being resolved.
The top four places in the Marine Harvest National Division are currently occupied by Oban Camanachd, Beauly, Kilmallie and Fort William, and it is certain that one that quartet will be promoted.
Beauly, with three games left, look to be the outsiders of the group, while Oban Camanachd have only dropped two points as they move into the second part of the season.
With the top four set to play each other at least once before the end of the season, this league is shaping to be the most competitive of shinty’s seven divisions.
Tomorrow, Beauly host Bute in their last home game of the season. Oban Camanachd welcome Glasgow Mid Argyll, while Kilmallie need both points from their Canal Parks clash with Glenorchy.
In the final match, Fort William reach the halfway point in their campaign at home to Caberfeidh in a noon start at An Aird. The Strathpeffer side are on a four-match losing streak and have plunged to third from bottom.
In North Division One, early season predictions that the league would be a three-way battle among the senior sides of Skye, Strathglass and Inverness, while the five reserve sides would scrap out the relegation berth, have proved wide of the mark.
Skye, unbeaten so far, are the clear favourites, but Strathglass and Inverness have both failed to mount a serious challenge with the Highland capital side on a losing run that sees them facing relegation.
After last Saturday’s 7-0 mauling at the hands of Lovat reserves, Inverness are trying to remain positive ahead of tomorrow’s match away to third place Newtonmore.
They should be able to bolster their squad with six players away at T in the Park, while John MacLennan and Arran MacMaster were both suspended.
MacLennan and MacMaster return tomorrow, but the picture is far from rosy for joint managers Allan MacLeod and Innes Simpson with several key players still missing, although new signing Matt Rippon should be available after making his debut last weekend.
In other matches, Skye face Lovat in Portree, while there is a local derby at Cannich as Strathglass clash with Glenurquhart. Beauly are also in action as they take on Kingussie at the Dell.
Caberfeidh, along with Lewis and Strathspey, will battle it out for promotion from Marine Harvest National Division Three following the league split. This leaves Inverness, Lochbroom and Kilmallie in the bottom section to decide who gets the wooden spoon.
