NEWTONMORE moved a step nearer a seventh successive Premiership title with a 4-1 win over championship rivals Oban Camanachd.
PJ MacKintosh’s side need just two points from their final four matches in the Marine Harvest Premiership to seal the deal and, given they haven’t lost a match in shinty’s top league in 2016, few would bet against the Badenoch side being crowned champions again.
Torrential rain which played havoc with Saturday’s fixtures schedule resulted in the Oban v Newtonmore match being moved to the Eilan after Mossfield was ruled unplayable.
Camanachd’s manager Iain Hay was philosophical about the late change of venue. He said: “We knew we had to play them twice in the league before the end of the season so at some stage we had to play them up there. We had looked at the forecast and were ready to go on Saturday morning – it was no surprise.”
Hay is refusing to concede the title and felt that the scoreline flattered Newtonmore.
“We learned a few things from the Camanachd Cup final and on Saturday we went at them from the start with a more attacking formation,” he said. “We brought in youngster Ross MacMillan to the defence and that allowed James MacMillan to move into the midfield.
“David Lafferty and Aidan MacIntyre played up front and I thought we caused them plenty of problems. They took their goals well but when Lorne Dickie scored late on I thought we could push harder for at least a draw. However, we left things a bit open at the back and they punished us with two goals in the final five minutes.”
For Newtonmore, the value of current Premiership player of the year Glen MacKintosh was once again underlined. He scored the opener in the 22nd minute and namesake Fraser added a second four minutes later.
Conor Jones and Chris Sellar completed the scoring as More overcame potentially the most difficult obstacle in their title quest.
At the other end of the table, the question of which team will be relegated along with Fort William remains unresolved.
Lochaber and Glenurquhart edged to safety after they shared the points in a 2-2 draw at a soggy Spean Bridge in the only other Premiership match to escape the deluge.
Lochaber will feel they did enough to deserve both points, although Glenurquhart recovered well after having to rejig their defence when John Barr was a late call-off.
Stand-in keeper Iain MacLeod proved a capable deputy for Stuart MacKintosh, and his opposite number, Calum MacDonald, in the Lochaber goal was also in excellent form. Lochaber’s goals came from Kevin Ferguson and Stuart Collision, with Neale Reid and James McPherson responding.
Of the three clubs in relegation danger, Glenurquhart are closest to safety and could secure their stay in the top flight with a win at home to Kyles Athletic in their final match next Saturday.
Skye’s plight is desperate and in all likelihood they will need to win three of their remaining four matches to avoid dropping in the National Division after just a season in the top league.
Kilmallie, already promoted to next season’s Premiership, were crowned National Division champions after a 2-0 win over Glasgow Mid Argyll at Yoker.
In a tense struggle against the team trailing them in second place, Kilmallie pulled away after the interval. Michael Rodger scored their first and Liam MacDonald secured the win in the final minute.
Mid Argyll will join the Canal Parks side in the top league if they can avoid defeat in their final match of the season where they are at home to Caberfeidh.
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