Kingussie came away from Spean Bridge with the points on Saturday following their 6-2 win over Lochaber in atrocious conditions, which Ross described as the worst he had ever played in.

But it did not stop him from bagging a first half hat-trick and adding a fourth later to make things comfortable for the Red and Blues.

The 34-year-old said: "The most important thing was to start the season with a good win. The pitch was not really playable and there was so much surface water that it was more like a swimming pool than a shinty pitch."

The attacker said that they had been handed a tough opener at a ground where they find their normally free-flowing style of shinty hard to come by.

"It's not a bogey ground but it's certainly one where we feel up against it. So throw in all the rain and I thought we did really well to come away with a 6-2 win, particularly as Lochaber already had a couple of games under their belt and we just had the one."

Ross's second and third goals came in the 12th and 13th to ease any early nerves the champions may have had about losing their winning run – last season they won all their league games Kevin Thain made it 4-0 five minutes into the second period and Paul Gow added number five seven minutes later.

But the Kings blotted their copybook somewhat letting Lachie Campbell score for Lochaber in the 75th minute and Ben Delaney add another in the 80th. Ross made his personal tally four in between.

The biggest threat after racing into a 3-0 lead so early on was that the match could be cancelled as the heavy rain persisted but Ross said he was relieved that common-sense had prevailed.

Making a welcome return for the Kings was Ali Borthwick and Ross paid tribute to his fellow attacker. "Ali's a top player and his return is a real boost for the team.

"Having another forward will be a real help, especially one with such attacking flair following Fraser Inglis' move. Ali has been round the course; he knows what he is doing."

Newtonmore also got their league campaign off to a flying start, running out emphatic winners on Saturday when 10 matches fell victim to the weather.

They were at home against newly promoted Glen Urquhart, who started strongly on the very wet and slippery surface.

But the first two real chances were both at the other end as Paul MacArthur went close in the 10th minute, then David Cheyne forced a good save out of keeper Stuart MacKintosh two minutes later.

A free hit to Glen Urquhart in a dangerous position had to be well defended in the 16th minute and they went even closer a short time later.

Andrew Corrigan picked up a pass square in front of goal with time and space but fluffed his shot. Four minutes later and Michael Ritchie in the 'More goal pulled off a superb stick save to keep the Glen at bay.

Kingussie's Barry Dallas gets away from Lochaber's Shawn Nicholson during their encounter on Saturday.

The conditions were worsening and a couple of heavy collisions were the result as players could not stop themselves.

Newtonmore were beginning to look the stronger as the half wore on and took the lead in the 33rd minute after a free hit.

Paul MacArthur let fly with a fierce shot from the left side that rebounded off the keeper for Cheyne to fire home from five yards for the opener.

Standing water was beginning to appear in patches but the game was still flowing well.

Newtonmore stretched their lead in the 40th minute when Paul MacArthur fired home to make it 2-0 and they made the game safe before the break when Campbell netted.

Doubts over the state of the pitch must have been to the forefront of referee David Mitchell's mind as he took his half-time break but, fortunately, for the Blue and Whites the rain eased a little and the second half got under way.

Just to reinforce the conditions, on the hour-mark a high ball came straight down and buried itself in the mud in front of the pavilion and needed to be dug out with a caman.

MacKintosh in the Glen goal saved well with his hand in the 66th minute from a solid Evan Menzies strike but that was to no avail just two minutes later.

A free hit from left centre by Paul MacArthur was floated in to David Cheyne who had the time and space to steady himself and fire home for Newtonmore's fourth.

With 78 minutes gone, sub Chris Sellar, fired home the goal of the game, picking up a fast break on the right wing and lashing home an unstoppable shot for 5-0.

With seven minutes to play, Glen Urquhart were awarded a penalty as 'More keeper Michael Ritchie was harshly adjudged to have kicked the ball.

Although many thought Glen had done enough to deserve a goal, Lewis Maclennan's shot was easily saved by the keeper.

The three other Premier League matches all fell victim to the weather, leaving both the Badenoch giants top of the pile.

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