Lovat were celebrating one of their most successful weekends with the senior side taking a rare point at Kingussie while their junior team lifted the Sutherland Cup.
“It’s a wonderful double for the club,” said president Ian Ferguson. “For a small club, we’re really punching above our weight. After losing the last two Sutherland finals, it was great to get our hands on the trophy.”
New junior team managers James White and Alan MacRae can take great credit for the 4-1 win against Glenurquhart in an entertaining final at Newtonmore.
Lewis Tawse gave Lovat a first-minute lead, but Kelvin Mackenzie equalised right on half-time after strong Glen pressure.
James MacPherson restored the Kiltarlity side’s lead in 56 minutes then Greg Matheson added two more to end Glen’s hopes of winning the cup for the first time in 47 years.
Lovat’s first team grabbed a stunning 2-2 Premier Division draw at Kingussie then made the short trip to the Eilean to cheer on their second string.
Kingussie manager Steve Borthwick said: “No one can remember when last Lovat drew with us at home. It’s certainly a long time, but they played very well.
“They are a well-balanced side and if they can play like this every week, they’ll make the top half of the table. It was also a lesson to our team they’re not as good as they think they are.”
Fraser Gallacher gave Lovat a second-minute lead then Ronald Ross scored two quick goals to put the champions in front. But Gallacher snatched a 34th minute equaliser and Kingussie’s second half pressure was in vain.
Fort William are now two points behind leaders Newtonmore and have two games in hand after edging through 4-3 at Bute.
Gordon Macmillan and Dave Whitelaw put the home side 2-0 up, but Gordon MacKinnon and James Clark levelled by half-time. Robert Zavaroni then restored Bute’s lead but two goals in three minutes by MacKinnon and Brian Simpson swung it Fort’s way.
Third-placed Inveraray gave Glasgow Mid Argyll an 11-1 thrashing at Yoker with hat-tricks for Euan McMurdo, Neil Andrews and Neil Campbell.
Oban Camanachd’s relegation woes worsened when they lost 4-2 at Kyles Athletic thanks to a late double from Peter Currie. Tom Whyte and David Zavaroni hit the other home goals with Iain Macmillan and Aidan MacIntyre counting for Oban.
In the North First Division, Donald MacRae scored a hat-trick as Lochaber won 5-1 at Beauly. Caberfeid won 4-3 at Inverness while Skye were held 2-2 by Kilmallie at Portree with Alan MacKinnon and Kenny Campbell (penalty) the home marksmen while Liam MacDonald and John Stewart scored Kilmallie’s goals.