It was a weekend to remember for shinty fans across the country, with cup drama, league battles and youth brilliance lighting up pitches from Lochaber to Inveraray.
In the Ferguson Transport & Shipping Balliemore Cup, Lochaber stormed into the final with a powerful 4–1 win over Col Glen.
Shaun Nicolson led the charge with a hat-trick before Max Campbell sealed it from the spot.
Inveraray matched that scoreline, seeing off Inverness thanks to two first-half strikes from Lewis Montgomery and a little help from a late own goal.
Over in the Highland Industrial Supplies Sutherland Cup, Fort William edged past Lochside Rovers in a five-goal thriller.
Bryan Simpson’s brace, including an 80th-minute winner, sent Fort through.
There was disappointment at Kyles Athletic where an unplayable field forced their Mowi Premiership tie with Caberfeidh to be postponed.
But elsewhere, Lovat impressed with a 3–0 win over Beauly, while Newtonmore raced to a three-goal lead against Kinlochshiel inside 20 minutes, a lead they never looked like losing.
The National Division clash between Glenurquhart and Glasgow Mid Argyll was a goal fest.
GMA came from behind to edge it 5–4, with Ross Brown netting a stunning hat-trick in a relentless spell either side of half-time.
In the North Division 1, Kingussie were ruthless, hitting eight past Glengarry.
Michael Slimon bagged five in a statement performance from the league leaders.
Newtonmore also secured a solid away win at Glenurquhart.
South Division 1 saw Inveraray run riot, thumping Ardnamurchan 10–1 with goals from all over the park.
Glasgow Mid Argyll edged Ballachulish 3–2 in a tighter contest, with Mark Bain hitting a quick-fire double to steal it late on.
North Division 2 delivered more drama.
Lochcarron ran out 5–1 winners away at Boleskine, thanks to a late burst from Michael MacMillan.
Kilmallie eased past Aberdeen University, while Lovat earned a clean 2–0 win over Inverness.
In the women’s game, Badenoch were in devastating form, cruising to a 7–0 win over Glenurquhart in the Mowi Premier League.
Megan Ralph led the way with four goals.
Badenoch’s second team also triumphed in the National League, seeing off Dunadd 4–2.
Strathspey were too strong for Strathglass, while Glengarry edged out Aberdour in a closely fought 4–3 battle.
In the Mowi South League, Inveraray saw off GMA with a well-taken 4–2 win on the road.
In youth action, Kingussie’s under-17s looked sharp in a 4–0 win over Lovat, while Glenurquhart were on fire at both under-14 and under-17 levels, scoring 13 goals across two matches without reply.
Meanwhile, Newtonmore were awarded a walkover win in their London Shield section.
The weekend was a showcase of Scotland’s national sport at every level, fierce, fast, and full of heart.
