Kingussie claim fourth Mowi Premiership title in a row
There was title joy for Kingussie as they won a fourth successive Mowi Premiership title after beating Skye Camanachd 3-0 at Pairc nan Laoch in Portree on Saturday.
The league success also secures a second Grand Slam over the last three seasons following previous whitewashes in 1984, 1988, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003 and 2022.
It also demonstrates a remarkable level of consistency as the Kings have won 11 of the last 12 trophies on offer.
Kingussie wing centre Cameron Bremner began a four-match suspension following his red card in the previous weekend’s Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final win over Lovat which means he will miss the rest of this season.
Skipper Calum Grant was sidelined with an ankle injury, although he did travel with the squad, so Liam Borthwick started in his place with Iain Fraser coming in for Bremner in midfield.
Thomas Borthwick skippered the side.
Manager Iain Borthwick was on a golfing break, so former player Ali MacLeod took charge in his place.
Going into the game, Skye had taken maximum points from their six home games so far this season and they were without injured defender Sam Macphee and forward Ruaraidh Macleod who had returned offshore.
Ross MacKinnon returned.
Skye started well and went close after 15 minutes when Rory McGregor had to tip Seonaidh Alex MacLeod’s dipping shot from wide on the left over the crossbar.
Skye goalie Ryan Morrison then saved well with his feet after Savio Genini had played in Ruaridh Anderson.
Kingussie made the breakthrough on 25 minutes.
Ruaridh Anderson ran at the Skye defence after getting onto Alexander Michie’s free-hit and was brought down around the penalty spot.
Savio Genini, with his back to goal, slipped the ball to the Kingussie right where Thomas Borthwick had lost his marker, and he finished well on the angle.
The visitors added a second on 62 minutes. Rory McGregor’s goal-hit was flicked on to Lee Bain and he found Dylan Borthwick on the left.
Borthwick’s strike was well saved by Ryan Morrison but as the ball deflected out to the right, Ruaridh Anderson showed great anticipation to get to it and he thumped the ball over the Skye goalie.
Kingussie sealed the win with eight minutes remaining.
Substitute Roddy Young’s shot was saved with foot by Ryan Morrison and Ruaridh Anderson was first to react to the rebound once more.
His strike from the right came off the Skye keeper as he came off his line to narrow the angle and the ball crept over the line despite William MacKinnon’s diving effort to clear it away.
Referee Iain Kennedy awarded the goal after speaking to goal judge Martin Pringle.
The teams also contest the Alasdair “Mor” Morrison Memorial Cup which was presented to stand-in Kingussie skipper Thomas Borthwick afterwards by Alasdair’s father, John Angus Morrison whilst Zander Michie received the man of the match quaich.
Kingussie still have three league fixtures remaining, starting with another meeting with Skye on Saturday, this time at the Dell.
