Shinty: Lovat stun Newtonmore

However, manager Alan McRae is urging his troops not to get too carried away by their stunning result.

Lovat were mired in the relegation fight in 2011 and few would have expected them to eke out a result at the stronghold of the champions.

However, a Greg Matheson hat-trick and some stout defending left Newtonmore shaking their heads, even when John MacKenzie hit a late strike. And McRae admitted it was a significant result, even if he is urging caution.

“Across the park everyone did their jobs and more. Perhaps our boys were a bit match fitter and, hopefully, we can use this as a springboard.

“But it is just the first game and we have to keep our feet on the ground. Newtonmore also had a couple of players missing so we need to take that into account. However, I was very pleased and it was a great result for us.”

In another upset, newcomers Kinlochshiel defeated Kingussie 5-3.