Rampant Beauly could put Cabers to sword
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
TWO derby clashes catch the eye in the Marine Harvest National Division this weekend.
Beauly look to be on fire after hitting five goals in each of their last two home matches and the Caberfeidh defence will have their work cut out keeping their rampant hosts’ attack at bay.
Kilmallie’s meeting with neighbours Fort William at An Aird should also be keenly contested, with both teams very much in the frame for the National Division title.
Although both have 100 per cent league records, league fixtures have been thin on the ground for these rivals with Kilmallie only having played two games and Fort just one.
Table-toppers Oban Camanachd will be expected to take care of Glenorchy at Mossfield Park, while Bute will do well to register their second win of the season at the expense of Glasgow Mid Argyll, a side who defeated them 4-1 only two weeks ago in the Artemis Macaulay Cup.
After their impressive winning run came to an end at Glenurquhart last weekend, Orion Group Premiership pace-setters Lovat will dust themselves down for the long journey to Tighnabruaich where they face a Kyles Athletic side hoping to shake off the effects of a 5-1 mauling at the hands of Argyll rivals Inveraray.
Lovat were 2-1 winners on their last visit there but boss Allan MacRae will need his players to be focused if they are to return with two valuable points to keep their Premiership dream well on course.
Second-placed Newtonmore face Lochaber at Spean Bridge where Paul John MacKintosh’s men should make it six wins from seven matches.
Lochaber haven’t had the best of starts and their league and cup results indicate relegation is going to be difficult to avoid. However, manager Robert Johnstone managed to turn things around for the Spean Bridge outfit last year when he took over the managerial reigns mid-season and a similar transformation in fortunes looks like being required if top-flight shinty is to be maintained at Lochaber.
Glenurquhart will travel to Kirkton in buoyant mood after bringing to an end Lovat’s season-long winning run, but will face a Kinlochshiel side desperate to make home advantage pay as Colin Fraser attempts to steer his team away from the relegation zone. ’Shiel were 2-1 victors in the corresponding fixture last season before Glen took the points in a 3-1 win at Blairbeg Park.
Kingussie are Inveraray’s hosts at The Dell in what could prove a close tussle.
Four Balliemore Cup quarter-finals are lined up for Saturday. The top tie takes place at Cannich where North Division One rivals Strathglass and Skye go head-to-head. Skye, having taken two higher division scalps in the Camanachd Cup and MacTavish Plate competitions, will start as favourites against a side they defeated three times in the league last year.
Inverness will fancy their chances of defeating visitors Oban Celtic, whilst Aberdeen University will travel to Aberdour.
In an all-South Division One affair, Ballachulish should edge it against Taynuilt.
