ABERDOUR continued their promising start to the new shinty campaign by picking up a win and a draw in a double-header at Silver Sands on Saturday.

The club's first and second teams were both in action, in Mowi South Division One and Division Two respectively, and each came away with encouraging results.

The seconds were first in action, taking on Strachur-Dunoon, and 15-year-old Ciaran Burns put them ahead, only for Cairn Limbert to equalise and ensure the points were shared.

Kyles Athletic seconds then took to the field to play 'Dour's firsts and, on a heavy pitch, the home side picked up their second win from three matches to move second in South Division One.

David MacKenzie's double secured both points and Lisa MacColl, head coach with the club, commented: "The surface softened a bit and cut up by the second half.

"We started strongly and scored two goals. We created plenty of chances but we struggled to finish them well. The surface by that point was pretty cut up and it definitely limited the fluid play that we've been used to seeing from our forwards over pre-season and into last week and various games.

Dunfermline Press: Aberdour's firsts defeated Kyles Athletic seconds.Aberdour's firsts defeated Kyles Athletic seconds. (Image: Central Scotland Shinty.)

"Sometimes you've got to grind out a result in conditions like that and they did. Kyles are a young team as well. We're younger, as in late teens and a few experienced heads, but they had a few quite young players, 13, 14, but all have good shinty in them, and plenty of fitness and enthusiasm.

"Credit to them, they didn't give up and played right to the end. It was just probably difficult for any team to create much in the second half in what became a bit of a muddy affair.

"We probably created the better of the chances, even in the second half, but it was just getting the ball in the back of the net. The final finishing, in difficult circumstances, was always going to make it difficult.

"I'm happy with the result and the two points and, as the pitches get better and we move on, if we can play in that, then you can play in anything."

On the seconds' match, she added: "It was a pretty end-to-end game actually.

"It was back and forward, both keepers having to do their job, the defence was working hard, some good battling in midfield, for both teams, and there really probably wasn't much in it.

"It would've been nice for Aberdour to hang on to the lead but I think, on a heavy pitch, experience told from Strachur-Dunoon towards the end. 1-1 was probably a fair result in terms of a very competitive, end-to-end game."

This Saturday, Aberdour's firsts are away to Kilmory (2pm), and the seconds travel to Oban Celtic (2.30pm).

On Sunday, the ladies are due to host Ardnamurchan (12pm) in the WCA (Women's Camanachd Association) Mowi National Division.