Shinty round-up: Kingussie begin title defence with win

Kingussie began their defence of the Mowi Premiership title with a late 1-0 home win over Kinlochshiel on the opening day of the 2024 season.

Skye came from behind for a spectacular 3-2 defeat of Newtonmore in Portree and Lovat held on for the same scoreline against newly promoted Genurquhart.

Caberfeidh comfortably disposed of the other promoted side Lochaber 5-2 at Spean Bridge. In the National Division Beauly, who have just taken the drop, swept visitors Kilmallie aside 5-1.

Only two minutes remained when Dylan Borthwick scored Kingussie's winner at The Dell.

Jamie Gillies opened for Skye but an Iain Robinson double sent Newtonmore in ahead at half time. Dan MacDonald equalised before Kenny Cushnie's winner for Skye four minutes from time.

Greg Matheson's strike for Lovat was neutralised by Ryan Porter but Danny Kelly, followed by Matheson again, made it 3-1 Lovat at half time. Glenurquhart's John Cameron pulled one back to create an anxious last two minutes for the home side.

A hat-trick from Craig Morrison, the Premiership's top scorer of 2023, and a quickfire double from Liam Symonds put Caberfeidh 5-0 up. A Ben Delaney penalty and a Max Campbell goal gave newly promoted Lochaber some consolation.

In the National Division, Conor Ross's opener for Beauly was quickly neutralised by Lewis Birrell. However Robbie Brindle and Finlay MacLennan both struck doubles to wrap the game up before half time.

Elsewhere in the second tier it was 4-3 at Yoker for Glasgow Mid Argyll, down from the Premiership, against Bute, up from South Division 1. It was 4-1 for Inveraray away to Oban Celtic and Fort William defeated hosts Col Glen 3-2.