Seven years in which a loyal, but success starved following have seen false dawns, near misses, finals lost and a league in which nobody remembers who came second.

Once again, the stage was set on Saturday for another final appearance against the might of neighbours, Kingussie, and fans of both sides made their way to the Bught Park with some apprehension, but hopes high.

The poor weather in Badenoch did not arrive in Inverness and the match was played in ideal conditions with the infamous Bught Park breeze not really an issue.

Both sides had chances in the opening minutes in a match that flowed from end-to-end and played at a fast tempo.

Newtonmore's rising star Evan Menzies came of age in the final. He created mayhem for Kingussie throughout by closing in from the left wing with pace and determination.

He scored the opening goal in the second minute when he fired home from the edge of the box after a David Cheyne lay off. Four minutes later Menzies doubled his, and Newtonmore's, tally, being first to pounce and drill home a Cheyne drive that rebounded off Kingussie keeper Borthwick.

The Blue and White supporters were ecstatic.

But Kingussie were far from out of it, and Ronald Ross showed his class by levelling the match with a double in the eigth and 12th minutes.

On both occasions, he managed to slip his marker to create a yard of space and give Michael Ritchie in the 'More goal no chance. The Kingussie support were celebrating again in the 23rd minute when their side took the lead.

A John Gibson punt forward appeared to be covered by Ritchie in the 'More goal, but was deflected into the goal by Newtonmore wing back David Campbell, who had raised his stick high in an attempt to stop it.

With no further scoring up to the interval, Kingussie had the edge and the Eilan knew they would have to pull out all the stops to haul the game back.

The match remained nip and tuck in the second period.

Danny MacRae made a welcome return for Newtonmore, replacing Steven MacDonald and Ali Borthwick coming on for nephew, Ryan, for Kingussie.

Mid way through the second half, MacRae, playing at full forward, set up Cheyne from eight yards unmarked and, with only the keeper to beat, his effort lacked pace and Borthwick managed to save.

Ross at the other end was proving a handful to the tiring Newtonmore rearguard and Jamie Robinson was booked for a swing that connected with the forward as he raced towards goal.

Newtonmore's Fraser Macintosh reaches over to get the ball from Kingussie's Ryan Botrhwick during the MacTavish Cup Final match at the Bught, Inverness, on Saturday.

A goal for Kingussie here would surely have sealed victory, but it was Cheyne who made the breakthrough.

He barged Rory Kennedy out of the way to hit an amazing back hand reverse drive that was unstoppable to level the game and give the 'More support fresh hope.

Still Kingussie, famed for their ability to come back from the dead, were not finished.

Ross sealed his hat-trick when, with Scott Campbell almost on top of him, still managed to hit a drive into the bottom right corner of Ritchie's goal through a ruck of players.

Seventy eight minutes gone, and Kingussie back in front. Was this to be yet another Kingussie escape to victory?

Not this time – it was Newtonmore who showed composure, confidence and the bottle to get back into the match.

With just four minutes left on the clock they were rewarded for their efforts when Paul MacArthur slipped his marker on the left wing from a Glen MacKintosh free hit and hit the goal of the game – thundering the ball into the postage stamp corner from 30 yards out.

Four each in this battle of the Badenoch giants, and a breathless crowd was beginning to anticipate the prospect of 30 minutes extra time.

But no, in the final minute, Newtonmore full centre Glen MacKintosh hit a shot goalwards through a ruck of defenders that was to elude the unsighted Borthwick in the Kingussie goal to nestle in the back of the net, sending the 'More support into seventh heaven.

Moments later, the final whistle saw an invasion of Newtonmore fans to congratulate the team, in which all 13 players played extremely well – a team which rewarded the tireless efforts of manager Brick MacArthur, and send him off a happy man for a well deserved holiday in Cyprus.

Kingussie were far from out of it and, on another day, could have retained the trophy.

Only time will now tell as to whether Newtonmore can this time go on to build on the success, or whether Kingussie can demonstrate that they have not become too dependent on Ross.

It would be a brave man indeed who would forecast that Kingussie might finish the season empty handed.

In the end though, this was a sporting and skilful encounter that couldn't have been scripted much better. A showcase of a final for shinty, and as good a spectacle as could possibly have been wished for as live television.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

Bookmark this

---