Concerns over numbers after game call-offs

Scottish Rugby will discuss player numbers this week.

Concerns over dwindling levels of engagement, particularly in the regional leagues, were further evidenced on Saturday when two Tennent’s Caledonia Division 1 matches were postponed because of insufficient players.

Aberdeen Wanderers, who were due to meet Grangemouth Stags, and Alloa, scheduled to make the trip to face Garioch, could not raise a team.

In the three matches that did go ahead, Glenrothes travelled to Orkney and a 47-3 win for the hosts means they occupy top spot in the table.

A Kain Duguid penalty kept the Fifers in touch at 12-3 at half-time. But the hosts stepped up the pace with five converted tries in the second half.

Orkney share pole position with Dunfermline who returned from the trip to play Hillfoots with all five points after a 35-14 win. Elsewhere, it was a tough day for Blairgowrie who went down 62-0 at home to Ellon.

A 47-26 win for Madras FP away to Falkirk seconds means the St Andrews men are the only unbeaten side in Division 2 (Midlands).

A narrow defeat bonus point from an 11-7 loss for Panmure at Kinross leaves the Broughty Ferry men joint second with Kirkcaldy seconds who chalked up a 70-14 win away to bottom side Rosyth Sharks.

Harris had tries from Mike Mercer and Graham Hopkins, both converted by Grant Paterson, but it was not enough to prevent a 24-14 defeat at home to Carnoustie who took all five points thanks to a try double from Owen Hughes and one apiece by Angus Sangster and Mitchell Whyte.

Dunfermline seconds lead the way in Division 3 after seeing off Perthshire seconds 86-26.

Grangemouth Stags seconds are joint top but with an inferior points difference after returning from the match at Dundee Morgan with a 55-38 win.

Bannockburn sit third after leapfrogging Crieff & Strathearn with a 39-24 victory.

Montrose & District opened their account for the season when they recorded a 57-36 win at home to Waid Academy, while the day’s other game saw Glenrothes Development side emerge as 47-19 winners at home to Strathmore seconds with Derek Mitchell scoring four of Glens’ seven tries.

Dunfermline thirds made it a full house for the Mckane Park outfit when they saw off tabletoppers Howe Crusaders 29-22 in a keenly contested encounter in Division 4.