Thumpings and walkovers as shinty cup fever sets in
THE FIRST round of shinty’s Aberdein Considine Sutherland cup witnessed some high-scoring victories – plus a clutch of walkovers resulting from clubs unable to field a team.
A Ross-shire clash between Lochcarron and Lochbroom proved to be a one-sided affair with the home side scoring 11 without reply. Ross Brown scored five of them with two apiece for Gregor Cushnie and Kenny Cushnie. The other scorers were Crisdean Finlayson and David MacCuish.
Aiden MacRae notched the consolation counter for Kinlochshiel in a 4-1 defeat to Ballachullish.
It was a walkover for Kyles Athletic when it emerged opponents Caberfeidh were unable to field a team.
Ardnamurchan also progressed with a walkover as Strathglass failed to field a team and it was the same story for Beauly with opponents Bute coming up short.
Also progressing to the next round were Newtonmore, who accounted for Boleskine (5-1), Glengarry who thumped Strathspey (8-0) and Invararay who beat Glasgow Mid Argyll 3-1.
In their encounter with Lovat, Inverness scored first just three minutes into the game. But that was as good as it got for the home side who then conceded 12 on the trot.
Kingussie, Skye, Lochside Rovers and Glenurquhart will also be in the draw for the next round.
In the Orion Group Premiership, Kinlochshiel beat Kyles Athletic 3-1 Gordy MacDonald claiming two and John MacRae the other. Lovat beat Kingussie (1-0), Glen Urquhart and Fort William drew (2-2) while there were wins too for Inveraray and Newtonmore.
Inveraray finished the day top of the league, ahead of Newtonmore, Kyles and Lovat. Kinlochshiel sit in fifth.
In Marine Harvest North Division 1, Caberfeidh recorded a 3-0 victory over Inverness, Craig Morrison getting two of them and Colin Maclennan the other.
Beauly beat Skye 1-0 and Strathglass succumbed 0-6 to Kilmallie.
Kilmallie lead the table over Beauly and Skye. Caberfeidh are six points off the pace in fourth.