Lovat share points with Newtonmore
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LOVAT came close to inflicting a third straight Orion Premiership defeat on champions Newtonmore, but had to eventually settle for a 2-2 draw after the champions fought back to level the match with just 18 minutes remaining at Balgate.
Fraser MacKintosh opened for the champions in the eighth minute, but Calum MacAulay, in for the injured Jamie Matheson, stole in for the equaliser just four minutes later.
Lovat matched their more physical opponents after that and on the stroke of half-time Greg Matheson fired them ahead as he opened his account for the season.
In an even second half, Danny MacRae found space to level for the visitors in the 72nd minute and with the outcome on a knife edge, ‘More looked to have got their noses in front, but MacKintosh’s late counter was ruled offside.
Two points gleaned from their opening two matches will not be overly disappointing for Lovat boss Allan MacRae in a Premiership that looks to be every bit as competitive as forecast.
Glenurquhart are pointless after their opening two league matches, but defeats to Newtonmore and Kyles Athletic will hardly have the alarm bells ringing at Blairbeg and easier matches will surely follow.
On Saturday joint managers Drew MacNeil and Fraser MacKenzie rung the changes with full centre Arran MacDonald and forward James MacPherson on reserve team duty, while Andy Corrigan missed out again with work commitments.
Kyles had their international attacking midfielder Grant Irvine restored to the team after missing last season with a knee injury.
The only goal in low-key game came in the 28th minute with Kyles’ Roddy MacDonald on target.
Kyles now share top spot with Kingussie and Inveraray with the latter two maintaining their winning ways with victories over Lochaber and Oban Camanachd respectively.
Kingussie left it late against the Spean Bridge side, but late goals by Thomas Borthwick left Lochaber still seeking their first win of the season.
Oban Camanachd, the other promoted side, are bottom after losing 4-2 at home to Inveraray.
Fort William and Kinlochshiel shared the points following a 2-2 draw at An Aird. Finlay MacRae hit a double for the Wester Ross side with Ryan Campbell also netting twice for the Fort.
In North Division One, Inverness’ early season travails continued after they lost heavily for the second week in succession, going down 8-1 at Beauly.
Marc Maclachlan was on form for the home side, hitting four goals with David MacLean (two), Conor Ross and Ross Forbes also on target. James Cameron struck a consolation for Allan MacLeod’s side.
Strathglass came to close to picking up their first win of the season, but had to settle for a draw against Skye after the islanders hit a late equaliser.
The Strath had held on to a 12th minute Scott Douglas strike before Neil MacVicar levelled with only five minutes remaining.
Kilmallie powered their way to a 4-1 at Castle Leod to lead the table by a point. Caberfeidh were stunned by an opening blast that saw them trail by two goals inside the first three minutes.
A Blair Morrison strike in the 14th minute brought them back into contention before goals by Mark MacPherson and Grant MacKenzie saw the visitors home.
In the lower leagues, Lovat lost 7-0 at Newtonmore, Glenurquhart eased past Glengarry 2-1 in the Great Glen derby match at Craigard and Beauly lost 2-0 to Aberdeen University in North Division Two.
In North Division Three, Boleskine lost 4-3 to Lochaber in a seven-goal thriller at Farr. Inverness suffered a 3-0 reverse at the hands of Caberfeidh, but Strathglass earned their first point of the season following a 3-3 draw at home to Lewis.
