Shinty friendlies are aiming to beat the weather
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The new shinty season gets under way in two weeks’ time as clubs look to get in match fitness before the start of competitive action.
Pre-season preparations were blown off course as all friendly fixtures were cancelled due to Storm Dennis bringing high winds and heavy rain resulting in waterlogged pitches.
This weekend a number of fixtures will involve Premiership teams facing National Division clubs in the hope teams will finally get some game time in February.
Beauly will hope to give debuts to Robbie Brindle, Martin MacDonald and Ryan Mackay who have all signed from Caberfeidh, as they prepare to face National Division champions Fort William.
Lovat are scheduled to meet Lochaber with the venue not yet decided.
Weather conditions will decide where the game will be played.
The Kiltarlity club have been rocked by the news that Marc MacLachan has decided to leave after three seasons at Balgate after informing them he is looking to take time out from the game. Lochaber were relegated from the Premiership after finishing bottom last season.
Glenurquhart head west to Reraig where Kinlochshiel are their hosts.
Kinlochshiel officially opened their new pitch at Reraig last weekend with director Chris Nixon delivering a speech before opening the ground.
Caberfeidh will also hope to welcome Skye to Strathpeffer on Saturday afternoon.
Caberfeidh finished seventh in the Premiership last season and scored the second highest number of goals in the division after champions Kingussie.
In a fifth clash involving Premiership and National Division teams, Oban Celtic meet Kilmallie at Mossfield Park.
There is an Inverness-shire derby as Strathglass take on Inverness at Bught Park. Strath’s second team are also in action against their Caberfeidh counterparts at Castle Leod whilst Boleskine welcome Kinlochshiel reserves to Smith Park.
n Fixtures: Beauly v Fort William; Caberfeidh v Skye; Inverness v Strathglass; Kinlochshiel v Glenurquhart; Lovat v Lochaber (Venue TBC); Oban Celtic v Kilmallie; Boleskine v Kinlochshiel Reserves; Strathglass Reserves v Caberfeidh Reserves.
