PICTURES: Kingussie remain on course for Grand Slam this season
Oban Camanachd had beaten Kingussie in last year’s final so this was a great chance for revenge for the Dell side having those Grand Slam hopes dash.
The Artemis Macaulay Cup was the only trophy that eluded the Red and Blues because of that 2-1 defeat.
The hosts had the wind in their favour in the first half at Mossfield on Saturday.
The holders were presented with a great opportunity to take the lead after just three minutes when referee Iain Kennedy penalised Rory MacKeachan for a push in the back on Ross Macmillan inside the D.
Oban captain Malcolm Clark took responsibility but sent his spot-hit rising over the crossbar.
The hosts continued to press, and Ross Macmillan got on the end of a couple of knockdowns but could not hit the target.
Kingussie started to show their attacking threat and Ruaridh Anderson stole possession from Andy MacDonald before dashing forward with his shot going just by Oban keeper Cammy Sutherland’s left-hand post.
Dylan Borthwick twice went close before James Falconer shot wide as the opening half-hour passed scoreless.
The opening goal came after 33 minutes and it was the holders who struck first.
Louie MacFarlane’s lofted free-hit down the middle which was played to the Oban left by Ross Macmillan.
Kingussie keeper Rory McGregor got his hand to Craig Macmillan’s drive but the ball spun over the line to give the Oban side a deserved lead.
Kingussie attacked from the restart and Cammy Sutherland saved well from James Falconer following Savio Genini’s free-hit.
There were a couple of Oban set-piece opportunities late in the half before Kingussie full centre Lee Bain limped off with a thigh injury.
Thomas Borthwick took over in the middle of the pitch for the final seconds of the first half, as Oban took their 1-0 lead into the break.
Kingussie now had the wind in their favour and although there was a sense of inevitability about what would happen next.
But no-one expected the Kings to level within 23 seconds of the restart.
Louie MacFarlane had the chance to clear the ball out of the Oban Camanachd defence but had his pocket picked by James Falconer who sent the ball low by the keeper from the left of the D.
Kingussie were now the ones creating the chances and Dylan Borthwick collected Savio Genini’s ball from the right but his strike went by the keeper’s left-hand post.
Genini was then foiled by keeper Sutherland who raced off his line to the right of the D and Dylan Borthwick shot just by from near the penalty spot as the Kingussie onslaught continued.
James Falconer and Liam Borthwick then combined before Ruaridh Anderson’s shot was saved with his feet by Cammy Sutherland and James Falconer fired just over from a corner from the right.
Daniel MacVicar’s strike from wide on the left was well saved by Rory McGregor as the Oban side tried to regain their foothold in the final.
Kingussie continued to dominate and they took the lead for the first time in the final in the 65th minute.
James Falconer and Savio Genini were involved in the lead up play and Dylan Borthwick’s excellent first touch set up a shooting chance and he sent the ball low across the keeper to make it 2-1.
Dylan Borthwick took a heavy challenge a minute after and needed treatment but was able to continue.
In a rare Oban attack, Malcolm Clark ran at the Kingussie defence but his initial effort was stopped by keeper McGregor and he couldn’t readjust himself to turn the rebound home.
At the other end, Ruaridh Anderson played in James Falconer but Cammy Sutherland dashed from his line to save.
Kingussie put the outcome beyond doubt on 79 minutes.
Zander Michie was commanding at buckshee back and he won possession before sending the ball long where James Falconer touched it to the left of the D before confidently finding the net to make it 3-1.
Kingussie’s Cameron Bremner went off with a hand knock and Liam Borthwick took over whilst Oban frustration grew, and substitute James MacMillan was let-off with a booked for a late challenge on Savio Genini.
The pattern of play continued towards the Oban goal and when Ruaridh Anderson’s corner from the right dropped into the D, Dylan Borthwick showed a sublime touch as he controlled the ball before quickly slipping it by the keeper to make it 4-1.
Kingussie immediately made their third change as they brought on George Taylor-Ramsey at wing centre in place of Iain Fraser.
The Kings were in full flow and looked like they could score at will. Dylan Borthwick, Thomas Borthwick and Dylan Borthwick again all had attempts before the final whistle sounded.
The Red and Blues’ James Falconer was a live wire throughout the game, and he was deservedly named Artemis man of the match.
Kingussie skipper Calum Grant was again accompanied by a symbolic soft toy otter as he raised the famous Macaulay Cup.
The Otter was the nickname of rising Kings shinty star Calum MacKintosh whose death last year devastated the club and wider community.
Kingussie lead the way in the Mowi Premier League and will face Lovat in the Tulloch Homes Camanachd Cup final in mid-September in their quest for a second Grand Slam in three seasons.
