Alloa prove too strong for understrength Harris outfit

Alloa warmed up for Saturday’s BT National Shield semi-final against Carrick with a feast of tries in their BT Caledonia Division One fixture at Earlsfield against a shorthanded Harris side that had only 15 players available.

The hosts took less than 15 minutes to secure a four-try bonus point and established a 41-0 lead at the break before stepping up the pace in the second half to end the afternoon with a 105-0 win that include a five-try haul for Daniel Jackson.

That result has had no impact on the league table, with the two sides ahead of Alloa – Caithness and Strathmore – both chalking up bonus-point wins.

Caithness edged closer to securing the title when they saw off Grangemouth Stags 45-18 in Thurso.

Strathie welcomed bottom side Banff and were never troubled as they eased to an 83-5 win that leaves them 13 points adrift of Caithness with four matches to play – and one game in hand.

Ali Olivier started the ball rolling for the home side and ended the afternoon with five touchdowns, while Lee Alexander crossed the whitewash three times.

Glenrothes returned from the trip to face Aberdeen Wanderers with a 17-5 win to their credit and they remain fourth in the table.

The race for the Division Two (Midlands) title continued in earnest with the two contenders both recording comfortable wins.

Hillfoots, who lead the way, made the trip top face Morgan in a top versus bottom clash and returned to Tillicoultry as 85-5 winners to maintain their one point advantage over Blairgowrie who saw off Panmure 40-13 at Forthill.

For Pannie, the focus now switches to the semi final of the BT National Bowl competition on Saturday when they will travel to face Wigtownshire.

Carnoustie cannot now trouble the top two but the Shanwell Road men will finish third after defeating Stirling County thirds 41-17.

Kinross continue to occupy fourth spot after posting a 57-21 win away to Falkirk seconds.

That keeps them one point ahead of Kirkcaldy seconds, who were equally convincing in seeing off Madras 69-12.

In Division Three (Midlands) Grangemouth Stags seconds beat Glenrothes Development XV 92-0, while hosts Arbroath saw off Crieff and Strathearn 38-21.