Shinty: Lovat reach Balliemore Cup final with derby win over Beauly

Lovat reached the Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup final for the first time following a 2-0 derby win over Beauly in the sweltering Balgate heat.

Lovat finally breached the Beauly backline 17 minutes from time when Lewis Tawse slipped a clever free-hit to Graeme Macmillan at the edge of the D, and he couldn’t miss.

Just five minutes after, Graeme Macmillan’s free-hit into the danger-area saw Marc MacLachlan and Lewis Tawse battle for possession, and when the ball broke to Sergio Thomson, he produced a great finish from around the penalty spot.

Lovat boss Iain Nicolson said: “We were made to work that in tough conditions weather-wise.

“We were missing Danny Kelly and Thomas Fraser but the boys that came in stood up to the task and I couldn’t have asked any more of them.

“We took control in the second half, but it took two good goals to settle the nerves, and we comfortably saw it out after that.”

Scorer Graeme Macmillan added: “It was a really even game on a roasting hot day and both our goals came from well-worked free-hits.

“I thought Ashie Mearns, in his first-ever start, and Angus Mearns, covering at full centre, both played brilliantly for us.

“My brother Dario Marshall came on for me for the final 10 minutes to make his debut and, had a pass from Marc MacLachlan not taken a big bounce off the surface, he might have added a third goal.”

MacKay is hat-trick hero

Coll MacKay’s hat-trick helped Inveraray beat Bute 5-3 in their quarter-final tie. Ross Montgomery struck twice with Scott Harvey’s double, one a penalty, and Robert Lowrie scoring for Bute. Inveraray face Kilmallie in the semi-finals this weekend.

Mowi Premiership leaders Newtonmore made it ten wins from ten games, this time triumphing 7-0 at Lochaber.

Struan Ross turned home a rebound in the opening minute before Iain Robinson’s turn and shot following Declan Brannan’s free-hit.

Struan Ross cracked home a third from just outside the D before Declan Brannan netted from just inside the box following a corner.

Struan Ross completed his hat-trick by sending a penalty low into the corner of the net and Iain Robinson’s second was a tidy finish after holding off his marker. Euan Dingwall rounded off the scoring after Matthew Sloss battled to win possession.

More manager Peter Ross said: “That was much better from us. The forwards moved the ball well and I was really pleased with Euan Dingwall when he came on after a tough time through injury. It’s a long time since we’ve won that well at Spean Bridge.

“Lochaber had their moments late in the first half and just after half-time and I was impressed by their young keeper Joey MacKinnon and Seonaid MacDonald whilst Shaun Nicolson is still influential.”

Kings keep up the pace

Second-placed Kingussie beat Kinlochshiel 3-1 to keep the pressure on their neighbours.

Ruaridh Anderson was played in by Roddy Young for the opener and Roddy Young then ran onto Dylan Borthwick’s pass to double their advantage from the left of the D after a quick move up-field.

Dylan Borthwick made it three with a superb shot on the turn and Ali Nixon replied with a low strike from distance on his left side in the final minute.

Kingussie manager Ronald Ross said: “It was a strong performance against a strong Kinlochshiel team. Their keeper Josh Grant had another excellent game with some very good saves.

“We lost Savio Genini through injury before the game, and, 10 minutes into the first half, Thomas Borthwick had come off with an injury.”

Lewis Cameron and Daniel MacVicar both scored twice and Connor Howe the other as Oban Camanachd beat Caberfeidh 5-1. Ali Taylor replied.

Fort William’s match with Skye Camanachd was postponed as the An Aird pitch couldn’t host two matches and their second team’s HIS Sutherland Cup quarter-final tie against the Bute seconds, which the Fort won 10-0, took priority.

[Source: Press and Journal]