CHAMPIONS CLAIM TOP SPOT

After stuttering opening day, Newtonmore , champions for the last two seasons, find themselves top of the Orion Premiership.
But the team that pushed them hardest last season, the redoubtable Kyles Athletic, fired out something of an early season warning themselves.


At the Eilan, Newtonmore were 3-0 up at half-time through a David Cheyne double and a third by Danny MacRae. Two second half counters for Shiel from Finlay MacRae had Badenoch hearts fluttering, but matter were settled in the home side's favour when Steven MacDonald scored with a quarter hour left.
Following on from a disappointing home loss last week against Inveraray, A reversed tie presented Glen with an unexpected home tie - the Kyles pitch unavailable after repairs.
Home advantage proved to be little advantage to Glenurquhart, hewever. Kyles had been stung last weekend by a 3-1 loss away to Kingussie in their first game of the 2012 season. Never underestimate a Kyles side, and this Drumnadrochit drama finished in a 6-1 away (...or is it home) win for the Argyll side.
Kyles were 4-0 up before David Smart responded for the home team on 76 minutes, but two further goals sealed it for last year's runners-up.
Elsewhere, a nother 'home' fixture moved away proved no disadvantage to Fort William, who beat Kingussie 3-0 at the Dell. The win follows a slow start to the season for Fort, but Kingussie, with home games all the way so far, will wonder why they are not higher in the early season league table than seventh.
Kilmallie and Bute fought out a four-goal draw - no surprise to anyone who has seen these tough-to-beat sides in recent seasons.
Lovat, with a free weekend, are - temporarily at least - knocked off top spot, but the signs are good for last season's big guns.
As ever, there is nothing straightforward in shinty, and it is all to play for.