Newtonmore take Premiership title
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NEWTONMORE clinched the Orion Group Premiership with a deserved 2-0 victory over Glenurquhart in Drumnadrochit.
It is the Badenoch side’s third title triumph in succession and is the perfect send off for manager Norman MacArthur in his last game in charge as he steps away from a glittering career not only as manager, but also as a player.
MacArthur’s back-up team, including assistant Willie Menzies, will also step down after guiding the blue and white hoops through a glorious five-year period in the club’s history culminating in the capture of the Camanachd Cup last season.
On Saturday, ‘More needed a point to seal the title and deny Kyles Athletic’s outside chance of snatching it from them next week.
It became clear, however, from the outset that that was never going to happen and striker Danny MacRae settled the Badenoch side’s nerves with an 11th minute strike.
Chris Sellar doubled their advantage nine minutes later and Newtonmore then held out for a deserved victory. Glenurquhart put up stiff resistance after that with goalkeeper Stuart MacKintosh in outstanding form.
The Glen’s bid to push for a top four finish is over and they could drop to sixth in the table if Kingussie win their final match against Inveraray.
In the only other match in the top league, Lovat consolidated third place with a 2-0 win over beaten Camanachd Cup finalists Inveraray.
Goals in each half from Lorne MacKay and Ryan Ferguson saw the Kiltarlity side over the line to book their highest-ever finish.
North Division One side Lochaber took a huge stride towards the Premiership following a 3-0 success at the expense of fellow promotion rivals Skye at Spean Bridge.
Lochaber’s top scorer Shaun Nicholson struck twice and Scott Paterson was also on target against a Skye side badly depleted by injury to key players.
Lochaber now require just a point from their last four matches to clinch a return to the top league after an absence of two seasons.
Beauly edged a five-goal thriller at Braeview as Inverness fought back from 3-0 down to push for a share of the points.
The Highland Capital club started confidently and showed few signs of rustiness from their five week lay-off, but they were stunned in the fifth minute when Beauly took the lead with Martin MacFadyen on target from the edge of the box.
The goal gave Beauly a lift and after a period of dominance they struck twice in two minutes with Barrie and Jack MacDonald on target in the 26th and 27th minutes respectively.
With Beauly in control there appeared no way back for Inverness, but four minutes before half-time a strike from Davie Glass threw his side a lifeline. It came after the city side’s goalkeeper Adam MacMaster had kept Beauly at bay with several excellent saves.
In a more even second half, Inverness caused a few problems for the Beauly rearguard and with just 16 minutes remaining, James Cameron set up a nervy finish as he rounded off some neat forward play.
The hosts, however, saw out the game, despite losing Conor Cormack to an ankle injury.
