Fort William 3 - 1 Inverary There are those who can remember James Clark when he was almost svelte and those who cannot imagine him anything other than the chunky powerhouse you see today, patrolling the Fort William forward line.

Those in the know have questioned his appetite for rigirous training work-outs. Some have said the sportsman's diet is something lost on the rounded man affectionately known as big Jim.' What no-one can question, though, is his natural ability with a shinty stick and, faults or otherwise, the 100th Camanachd Cup final will go down as big Jim's final.' Inveraray will cast their eyes back over the BBC footage and no doubt sigh at missed opportunities. Before Clark set them back in the 42nd minute with a finish which seemed almost impossible to achieve, they could have been two goals to the good.

Having been winners of this grand trophy themselves in 2004, though, they will know that it is all about the victors and the vanquished are left alone with their introspections.

Clark, on the other hand, and Fort William, will have a heartful of cherished memories to look back on when the legs are tired and the grandchildren are knocking about with camans.

A man of imposing presence, he nevertheless showed his gentler side, cradling daughter Evie Jay as he took the stage to claim the man-of-the-match award - the Albert Smith Memorial Medal.

It is a softer side defenders rarely see in him as he canters towards them or as they are trying to muscle the man mountain out of his stride. Asked to lead the line, he leads. But there is also a genuine shinty brain about him.

When Inveraray equalised through Garry Macpherson in the 78th minute, Fort William might have become rattled. Instead, Clark and substitute Victor Smith - who made a telling contribution - kept their composure and had the lead restored within seconds with the best move of the game.

It would also knock the stuffing so much out of Inveraray that there was no way back. The interplay was perfect, the movement was telepathic and the ball was in the net.

Smith, who can turn a game from the bench, added his own sparkle, converting from close range and, for Inveraray, it was a case of Alas Smith And Clark.

"I remember playing alongside him when James was a half back," said victorious captain, Neil Robertson.

"You just gave him the ball and he got on with it. I hardly had to do any work. Now he's up front, he has put on a few pounds but his agility surprises people. He is a big-game player and defenders worry about him. If that enters their heads, it's half the battle."

That morning, Clark had woken up with a sore throat and tired limbs. You would not have known it when the Cen-tenary final got underway. With Scotland chief Ally Ferguson in the 4000 crowd, he will be hoping Clark is on similar from in next month's international.