Disappointing start for Lewis Camanachd

Lewis Camanachd got their home season off to the worst possible start with a 6-1 drubbing by table-toppers Caberfeidh last Saturday.

Iain Sinclair started with an unfamiliar forward line with Conor Macdonald at full forward and Crawford Maclellan at half-forward. Connor Chalmers made his first start of the year at wing-centre. Lewis started slowly, with the defence soaking up a lot of pressure, as the ball did not stick up front.

Stewart ended up isolated and Gavin MacLaughlan popped in a looping ball which evaded Graham Cay on 20 minutes. Cay would end up beaten a few minutes later as veteran Cabers player manager Andrew MacMaster evaded Kenny Murray and then Cay to score from a foot out.

Disappointing home start for Lewis Camanachd

6 June 2015

Sinclair made changes, one voluntary and one forced. The removal of MacLellan, followed swiftly by a head injury to Macdonald, meant the introduction of young Ruairidh MacMillan and Ally Lamont to the forward line. Their pace and energy started to cause Cabers problems and Lamont banged Lewis back into contention with a cool finish within the box. His brother Donald and Will Church both went close.

So having closed out the first half still in touch, Lewis then started the second half reasonably well when Cabers conceded a penalty. It was a stonewall decision although referee John Matheson was confused as to who had made the foul. There was to be no fairytale goal for Paul Duke on his 100th appearance for the club, his penalty attempt ending up St Kilda-bound.

This let-off and another couple of dubious decisions from the ref worked against Lewis as Cabers got riled up and started to find another gear whilst Lewis simultaneously dropped out the game entirely.

Colin MacLennan grabbed a beautiful finish as Daniel “Gaga” Gallagher was unable to get close enough to settle Cabers nerves. Gallagher then went over his ankle a few moments later and Paddy Sinclair started to feel ill. The changes in the defence, who were already creaking at the seams allowed Cabers far too much room, and MacLennan, MacMaster and Ruairidh McCreadie all took advantage to make the final score 6-1.

It was a greatly disappointing performance which places a lot of pressure on the beleaguered Sinclair and his team before this Saturday’s match against fellow strugglers Inverness.

The Lewis Camanachd ladies will be attending the Far North Sixes this Saturday in Scourie. This will be their first ever competitive fixtures and they will also be playing some rounds of the new WCA Development League against Skye, Glengarry, Inverness and Fort William.