Storm Dennis proves a menace but most fixtures beat elements

Given the havoc created by Storm Dennis, a surprisingly large number of regional rugby fixtures went ahead.

Less surprising was the low scoring nature of the matches that did beat the weather, with the cold wind and rain putting paid to any hopes of open rugby and producing a series of close finishes.

With leaders Orkney having an unscheduled day off as a result of the extreme weather that prevented Aberdeen Wanderers from travelling, second-placed Dunfermline trimmed the gap at the top with a 26-0 win away to Garioch that yielded all five league points.

Olly Kirk, Owen Brown, Clarke Smith and Danny Morrison bagged a try apiece, while Adam Fraser’s reliable boot contributed the other points with three conversions. The result means the Fifers have now played the same number of matches as the pacesetters and sit nine points adrift.

There was a tight affair at Tillicoultry where Hillfoots welcomed Ellon. A 14-10 win for the visitors keeps them in third, while the hosts were rewarded with a narrow defeat bonus.

However, they slipped a place in the league table, falling below Blairgowrie who chalked up a 17-7 win at home to Glenrothes.

A converted try gave the visitors a 7-0 lead at half-time, but on a grim day for rugby, Blair mastered the conditions better in the second half and touched down for three tries, one of them converted, to secure the victory.

The game between Grangemouth Stags and Alloa was switched to Larbert High, and the sides produced a competitive contest before Stags emerged with a 17-0 win through tries by David Harvey, Stuart Allan and Tommy Skelton.

The top-of-the-table clash in Division Two (Midlands) saw Carnoustie take all five league points with a 32-17 win away to Dundee University Medics.

The result extends Carnoustie’s lead at the top to 15 points although the nearest pursuers are now Panmure.

The Broughty Ferry men made the short trip to Harris FP at Elliot Road.

Charlie Shade grabbed the only try of the game in which the result hung in the balance to the final whistle as Harris squeezed home 5-3.

While the defeat means they have lost further ground on Carnoustie, the narrow defeat bonus for Panmure was enough to move them into second spot.

Harris sit fourth, but have games in hand over all three sides ahead of them.

The day’s other game was also close, with Kinross just getting the better of Kirkcaldy seconds 10-7 to occupy fifth place.

The lower league sides were not so fortunate in their battle to beat the elements, with all four matches scheduled for Division Three (Midlands) postponed and a similar situation prevailing in Division Four.