Mowi National Division:

Aberdour 0 Beauly 4

A DAY of history-making turned into a harsh lesson in National Division shinty as Aberdour were beaten by Beauly on Saturday.

But head coach Lisa MacColl insisted her side shouldn't feel too downbeat after their first-ever match in the sport's second tier and believes that working on a "couple of wee things" will ensure they are competitive in the weeks ahead.

After securing the Mowi South Division One title last year for the first time in the club's history, taking to the field in a league among some of shinty's most established names will go down in the annals of Aberdour's history.

Last season, Beauly visited Silver Sands in the Balliemore Cup and left with a 4-1 defeat but their team were a different proposition this time around.

They included two new signings, Ryan Mackay and Robbie Brindle, from Premiership outfit Caberfeidh, and they both managed to get themselves on the scoresheet.

After Sean Stewart handed the visitors a 12th-minute lead, MacKay doubled the advantage seven minutes later and, with 20 minutes left, Brindle made the game safe.

Euan MacCormick added a fourth for Beauly late on but, despite the scoreline, MacColl felt there were plus points for her team to take moving forward.

"The players had a nervous energy and there was a lot of pressure from the outside," she reflected.

"Everyone's eyes around the country were on us and we didn't so ourselves any injustice. It was a lesson in what we need to do to be competitive at national league level week-in, week-out.

"They all gave everything but there are a couple of wee things we can work on; we have to be quick but efficient with the ball.

"A lot of that they will learn through experience, and we're in here to gain experience as part of a journey these lads and the club's on.

"They're disappointed, and they're disappointed because they care, but I've told them not to beat themselves up.We can learn from it but I don't expect that overnight."

MacColl continued: "In the first half, we were playing uphill and the wind plays a part, and they had us pegged in. We were 2-0 down at half-time but I said to them don't be disappointed, we're still in it.

"It was a game of two halves; we were very much in it in the second half. They had a couple of breaks away and scored from it – their finishing was better.

"We had pressure and created a couple of chances but it just didn't come off. I'm sure the boys will learn so much over the next three or four games."

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Aberdour's women headed to Aviemore to compete in a new, round-robin 10-a-side tournament – and came home with a silver medal.

Held on International Women's Day, the WCA (Women's Camanachd Association) clubs were invited to compete, and Aberdour were joined by Badenoch, Lovat and Glenurquhart.

After only losing to Badenoch – who remained unbeaten to win the WCA National League Shield – the Silver Sands team, having only lost one match, finished second, ahead of Glenurquhart on goal difference.

This Saturday, Aberdour's firsts return to action at Glenurquhart for a 2.30pm throw-up, while the seconds – whose match at Bute was called off – host Kilmory in South Division Two.