There was no shortage of drama, dominance and Highland pride in a weekend of shinty packed with goals and grit across the leagues.
At The Eilan, Newtonmore were in devastating form, sweeping aside Fraser MacKintosh’s team in a dazzling 12–3 display in Mowi North Division 1.
It was a masterclass in fluid, attacking shinty.
Fraser MacKintosh opened the scoring for the home side before adding two more, but he was far from alone.
James Coyle bagged a first-half hat-trick, Glen MacKintosh matched him with three of his own, and Xander Ross struck twice including a late goal to cap off the scoring.
Jacob Bain added his name to the tally too, in what was a ruthless team performance from start to finish.
In Oban, silverware was claimed in style as Oban Celtic lifted the Chieftain’s Cup, edging a fierce final against Beauly by four goals to three.
Callum Flynn had opened the scoring for Beauly, but Oban struck back with goals from William MacEwan, Kyle MacFarlane and Innes Jackson, their slick passing game finally telling.
Robbie Brindle and Rory Tuach gave Beauly late hope, but the Oban defence held firm under pressure to secure the win.
There was cup drama elsewhere too, as Skye booked their place in the Strathdearn Cup Final with a commanding 6–2 win over Ballachulish.
A double from Archie MacDonald and a clinical hat-trick from Iain MacLellan saw Skye pull clear after a tight first half.
Ballachulish had led early through Patrick and Ross MacLean, but they couldn’t stem the Skye onslaught once it clicked into gear.
In the Mowi Premiership, Fort William stunned Caberfeidh with a sensational 8–0 win, asserting their dominance with goals throughout the park.
Newtonmore were again flying, brushing past Kyles Athletic 6–1 at The Dell.
Iain Robinson starred with a second-half hat-trick in just five minutes, while Joe Coyle and Conor Jones added the gloss.
Oban Camanachd were unstoppable at Mossfield, hammering Glenurquhart 10–1 in a display brimming with sharpness and style.
Daniel MacCuish and Daniel MacVicar ran riot, supported by a fine team showing.
Lovat looked sharp in a 5–0 win over Skye, with Lachie Shaw netting a well-earned hat-trick.
Kinlochshiel edged a tight 2–1 win over Kingussie thanks to goals from Archie MacRae and Jay MacRae.
Further down the divisions, Fort William’s second team impressed with a 5–2 victory over Glengarry, while Ardnamurchan hit five past Kilmory in the South Division 1 with Kris Mackenzie scoring a superb first-half treble.
There was late drama in North Division 2, as Kingussie edged out Aberdour 5–4, Eoin Baikie striking in the final minute to settle a breathless encounter.
The goals came thick and fast all weekend.
But more than that, the spirit of the game, proud, fierce, and fiercely local was alive in every strike, save, tackle and cheer.
And if this weekend’s action is anything to go by, the shinty season still has plenty of magic to come.
