Lochaber lift Mowi WCA Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup

After the curtain was well and truly raised by the Mowi Challenge Cup it was time for the main event to get underway, the Mowi Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final. League leaders Badenoch would meet a Lochaber side who sat 12 points behind them in the league but were able to boast a not-so-distant victory over the champions. The red and whites had eliminated Kinlochshiel 2-1 in the Semi-Finals while Badenoch defeated old rivals Skye in an exciting 4-3 tussle.

Des McNulty, who had taken control of the men’s final in 2023, was the official and he threw the ball high into the Newtonmore sunshine to start the match. The first major chance of the game came on the 10-minute mark, Missy Howie picking up the ball after an unfortunate clearance from Badenoch which hit one of their own players, Howie making a square pass to Natalie MacDonald who cracked a shot that needed saving – Elizabeth McGregor in the Badenoch goals was up to the task though and Clair Delaney was unable to convert the rebound.

15 minutes later and it was Lochaber again who were threatening, Howie slipping MacDonald in down the right-hand side, her drilled shot across the keeper was well saved and the rebound volley just evaded Howie allowing Badenoch to clear their lines. Throughout the remainder of the half, the two sides traded half-chances with no one able to push their noses in front – quite a surprise considering the two sides were averaging a combined 9.8 goals per game.

In the first 20 minutes of the second half there were more half chances for Lochaber but McGregor in goals dealt with a number of low shots comfortably, ensuring the ball didn’t bounce off her and making strong clearances up the park. Joanne Gillanders was seriously threatened for the first time on the 65th minute mark, testament to their good defensive display, this time however, they were cut open by a Megan Ralph pass – Hope Borthwick looked certain to run onto it and push it beyond the keeper, however, she stood firm and knocked it behind for a corner.

Three minutes from the end and Badenoch almost stole it, a tremendous ball from Zoe Reid into the path of Ralph, her finish though was superbly saved by Gillanders who then reacted to deny the Badenoch forward an easy finish on the rebound. Incredibly, the full-time whistle would sound with the teams still locked at 0-0 so the game moved to extra-time.

There were no goals in 80 minutes of normal time, however, it took just 40 seconds of extra-time for Lochaber to burst into the lead. The ball was well won by Mairi Duncan, her wide ball was collected on the move by Hannah MacDonald, she carried the ball 20 yards before playing a delightful, scooped pass which Leah Maxtone hit first time from the right flank, her powerful shot into the far corner leaving McGregor no chance – advantage Lochaber. The remainder of the half saw Badenoch pushing for an equaliser with Lochaber carrying a genuine threat on the counter, alas, no more scoring and just 10 minutes left in the second half of extra time for someone to make an impact.

In the second half of extra-time the holders really ramped up the pressure, dominating the territory and trying to force the game into penalties. On the 102nd minute, two minutes into injury time, it seemed like they were going to take the lead – Ralph bursting beyond the Lochaber back line before knocking the ball onto Borthwick, her well hit shot saved expertly by Gillanders and swept off the line for a corner. If that cheer was big, the one 60 seconds later was huge as Des McNulty brought an end to the 2024 Mowi WCA Valerie Fraser Camanachd Cup Final. Lochaber, crowned as champions for the first time since 2016 – Captain Amy Disher receiving the trophy from Mowi’s Jayne MacKay and Women’s Camanachd Association President Karen Cameron – to the delight of the travelling Lochaber fans.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0022vvg/camanachd-air-bbc-albashinty-on-bbc-alba-202425-6-valerie-fraser-badenoch-v-lochaber?seriesId=unsliced