Lovat win Camanachd Cup after lively final against Kyles Athletic
LOVAT sparked a massive party all the way from Oban back to Kiltarlity as their shinty heroes beat Kyles Athletic 2-1 to win the SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup on Saturday.
Two goals from Kevin Bartlett and impressive goalkeeping from international ace Stuart MacDonald kept Kyles at bay as Lovat won the coveted silverware for the first time in 62 years.
Kyles, who are hot pursuit of current champions and title favourites Newtonmore in a bid to win the Marine Harvest Premiership, threw everything at the Lilywhites but John MacRitchie's heroes dug deep to clinch a memorable win in the 108th final, played at Mossfield Park.
On front of 3,000 fans in a game screened live on BBC2 Scotland, the two top-flight rivals gave their all.
Bartlett cashed in on hesitation to score the only goal of a lively first half but midfielder Robbie MacLeod finally managed to beat MacDonald to make it honours even in the second.
Despite this strike energising Kyles, it was Bartlett who grabbed the winner before Lovat defended for their lives to ensure the trophy was returning to Kiltarlity.
*** See this week's Highland News, North Star and Lochaber News for the full match report from the SSE Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup final.
