Harris falter in second half on Granite City quagmire

Harris’ hopes of a fourth win of the season were dashed by a strong Aberdeen Wanderers side which ran out 20-8 winners in Saturday’s BT Caledonia Division One encounter.

The Granite City club’s Groats Road pitch was already heavy and it became a quagmire with rain falling for most of the match.

A penalty by Adam Wood in response to an earlier try for the hosts left the Elliot Road men 5-3 adrift at half-time.

Wanderers were in control for most of the second period and secured a bonus point with three further unconverted tries before Owen Mcdonald grabbed a consolation score for Harris.

In Division 2 (Midlands), Blairgowrie cut the gap on leaders Hillfoots to a point when they shrugged off the difficult conditions to chalk up a 49-3 bonus-point success at home to Kinross.

The title race has developed into a two-way contest, and the leading duo extended their advantage over the pursuers when third-placed Carnoustie lost 22-0 away to Kirkcaldy II.

Division 3 pacesetters Howe of Fife II tightened their grip on top spot with a 19-12 victory at home to Crieff and Strathearn in a hardfought contest that finally went ahead at the third time of asking.

The result leaves the visitors in fifth spot.

They are one place ahead of Arbroath, who lost out 19-14 at Bo’ness. It was only the home side’s second win of the campaign.

There were celebrations at Earlsfield after Alloa turned on the style to beat Caithness 25-8 in the rearranged final of the BT Caledonia Shield.

The quality of the performance by the home side was underlined by the fact that it was only the second defeat inflicted on the Thurso men this season.

In addition to lifting the Caledonia title – a third win in knockout competition in the past three seasons for the Earlsfield side – Alloa’s victory means they will face Carrick in the semi-finals of the national competition, with a trip to BT Murrayfield as a reward for the winners.