SLEET and snow showers virtually wiped out play on the first day of

serious action after shinty's four-week winter break.

Ironically, Kingussie, one of the clubs most opposed to the closedown,

were one of the few sides in action. They had a storm of their own in

reserve for Glenurquhart as they raced to a 5-1 lead in the first 33

minutes of their Keyline MacAulay Cup tie at Drumnadrochit.

Glen, for the second time in their recent clashes, took the lead with

only their second attack of the match, when Peter MacDonald bundled the

ball home from close range. But that was to be the end of the Glen as an

attacking force.

Kingussie forced seven corners before they finally made the

breakthrough, Dave Borthwick lashing the ball home from 20 yards. Dave

Anderson made it 2-1 when keeper Billy MacLeod made a hash of a mis-hit

shot in 24 minutes, and four minutes later last year's beaten finalists

struck twice within 60 seconds to effectively secure their passage into

the semi-final.

The first came when Dave Borthwick allowed a through ball to drop over

his shoulder before despatching it behind a bemused MacLeod. A minute

later, Ali Borthwick flicked the ball through for his brother to notch

another.

The irrepressible Dave Borthwick then became provider, setting up

Ronald Ross in 33 minutes. And that was more or less it.

In the second half, Jamie Bell netted a consolation goal, but Ronald

Ross had the final say when he crashed the ball home from 25 yards.

Kingussie now meet Fort William at the Bught Park, Inverness, on

Saturday, the first big cup match of '94.

Oban Celtic made full use of the opportunity afforded when their

MacAulay Cup first-round tie with Ballachulish was switched to Oban.

Celtic promptly overcame an early reversal to win 3-1 with goals from

Brian MacCallum, Campbell Clark, and Stephen Campbell.

Strachur took a giant step towards returning to division one of the

south league when they dumped second place Tayforth at home. Ally

Paterson and Dave Limbert netted two each. Results:

North. Glenmorangie Qualifying Cup: Second round -- Strathglass 1,

Lochaber 3.

Glenmorangie Sutherland Cup: First round -- Skye 1, Beauly 3. Second

round -- Lovat 3, Boleskine 0.

Keyline Macaulay Cup: Second round -- Glenurquhart 2, Kingussie 6.

MacTavish Juvenile Cup: Semi-final -- Fort William 5, Inverness 0.

Marine Harvest League: Division 4 -- Aberdeen 3, Kingcraig 1;

Lochcarron 2, Kinlochshiel 1.

South. Keyline Macaulay Cup: First round (replay) -- Ballachulish 1,

Oban Celtic 3.

Marine Harvest League: Division 2 -- Bute 5, Taynuilt 1; Edinburgh

University 2, St Andrews University 3; Glasgow University 7, Kintyre 2;

Strachur 4, Tayforth 2.

Division 3 -- Glasgow Mid Argyll 6, Ballachulish 0; Lochside Rovers 7,

Strachur 1.