Referee injury halts league decider
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THE National Division decider between Oban Camanachd and Fort William at Mossfield Park in Oban was abandoned due to a nasty injury suffered by referee Robert Baxter.
This means another crucial, late-season fixture will have to be rescheduled.
Early in the second half, a ball met powerfully on the half volley after a throw-up by an Oban defender struck the unfortunate official in the groin, completely flooring the Ardrishaig whistler.
After a period of 10 minutes, Baxter was able to walk off the field, however with no suitable referee who met with the approval of both clubs available to replace Baxter, the match was abandoned.
Fort and Oban now both await confirmation from the Camanachd Association when their showdown will take place with, Saturday, November 1 being a strong possibility.
No mention of the National Division crunch match is made on the fixture list for this Saturday and the following three Saturdays are taken up with international squad training and matches home and away against Ireland.
The National Division encounter at Yoker involving Glasgow Mid Argyll and Kilmallie was postponed as a mark of respect to Ian Aitchison, a well-respected former manager and secretary, who died last week.
In the Orion Group Premiership fixture, Lovat and Kingussie fought out a 2-2 draw at Balgate, with Garry Munro’s last-minute penalty earning Kings a share of the points.
Scotland striker Kevin Bartlett gave the home team a 40th minute lead, which was cancelled out by Robert Mabon’s equaliser eight minutes into the second half.
Lovat looked to be on course to take both points when Bartlett was again on target in the 80th minute before Munro stepped up capitalise on the penalty award.
Lovat finish their season as runners-up to Newtonmore for the second consecutive year.
The failure of Kyles Athletic to make the journey to Kirkton to meet Kinlochshiel has resulted in the Tighnabruaich club being docked two points, whilst still having to travel to Wester Ross for the last remaining fixture in this season’s Premiership. With Kyles having two points deducted, Kingussie take fourth spot.
Newtonmore reserves’ 3-0 win over their Glenurquhart counterparts at The Eilean confirms them as runners-up to North Division One champions Skye.
Kingussie’s second team decided to forfeit home advantage for their final fixture and make the journey to Kiltarlity to make it a "double bill" against Lovat.
Rory Campbell gave Lovat an early lead which was erased by Thomas Borthwick’s equaliser.
Chris Hollysong edged Kings in front with Campbell striking again just before the interval to take the teams in to the club house level at 2-2.
A second from Hollysong and a late Kevin Thain strike gave Kings a 4-2 win which, depending on the outcome of Lovat’s final two matches, could give the Badenoch men a sixth place finish in the table.
The North Division Two programme was concluded with Lochcarron’s 1-1 draw against champions Fort William reserves at Battery Park.
