After an up and down season, shinty has ultimately defaulted to the usual suspects after yesterday's Scottish Hydro Camanachd Cup quarter-finals, with the big four of Newtonmore, Kyles, Fort William and Kingussie all progressing safely though to the next stage.
The story of the day was Kingussie's 5-2 demolition of fellow Premier League side Kinlochshiel at the Dell. Kingussie have had an inconsistent season but their cup tradition is second to none and the return from injury of star forward Ronald Ross made all the difference.
Ross, a top junior tennis player in his youth, flew back from Wimbledon especially for the match and promptly proved his worth by opening the scoring in the third minute. From that point on Kinlochshiel were always in trouble. Their keeper Scott Kennedy pulled off a series of excellent saves to keep his side in the hunt and a goal from Oliver Macrae threw them a lifeline just before half time. But despite a second goal from Macrae, Ross had the last word, completing his hat-trick just before the final whistle.
Fort William have had an equally torrid time in the league but they also came good in their away tie at Drumnadrochit where they defeated Glenurquhart 2-0. In what was a tight game on a fast pitch, Glenurquhart with home advantage enjoyed the bulk of the territorial pressure but they were unable to take their chances. Fort William held on and took the lead in the 82nd minute when Gary Innes crashed home a rebound from Glen keeper Stuart Mackintosh, and Fort's Ryan Campbell clinched the game for his side two minutes later.
North Division One side Beauly made the long trip to Tighnabruaich only to lose out 7-2 to cup holders Kyles Athletic. Man of the match was Kyles frontman Roddy MacDonald.
In the remaining tie Newtonmore – on the verge of winning their fourth Premier title in a row – proved too strong for North Division 1 side Caberfeidh at home.
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