Champions Newtonmore start defence with victory

Champions Newtonmore maintained their status as the team to beat, overcoming Lovat 4-2 at the Eilan despite the absence of Andy Mackintosh, Michael Russell and prolific scorer Evan Menzies, writes Alasdair Bruce.

On the opening day of the season, More scored early in each half through Conor Jones and Iain Robinson but Lovat responded immediately through Lorne Mackay, but Robinson scored twice more for an opening day hat-trick with his final two goals punctuated by a Lovat goal from Greg Matheson.

Kyles Athletic have been Newtonmore’s main challengers recently and they defeated Lochaber 4-2 at Spean.

A Robbie Macleod spothit and Grant Irvine, making a welcome return from injury, had them 2-0 ahead at half time. Irvine got his second before talisman Roddy Macdonald added a fourth. An Andrew King own goal and a Shaun Nicolson effort gave Lochaber some comfort.

The challenging pack also includes Kinlochshiel and Oban Camanachd and they met at Kirkton. ‘Shiel took control through Oliver Macrae and Donald Nixon in this sometimes feisty encounter.

However, Daniel Macvicar and Malcolm Clark drew the Oban side level until Keith Macrae’s stoppagetime winner for Kinlochshiel.

Teams are looking to gather early points and not drop into any relegation dog-fight and Glenurquhart and Kingussie managed to do just that, both beating newly promoted sides. Kilmallie led Glenurquhart 2-1 through Michael Rodger and Duncan Rodger either side of Callum Smith’s goal. That was before James Macpherson’s intervention and his hat-trick gave the Glen a 4-2 win.

Ruaridh Anderson, Ryan Borthwick and Chris Holleysong had Kingussie three up against Glasgow Mid Argyll although Calum Mclay scored late for the home side.