Derby bragging rights for Dunfermline

Dunfermline were victors in an engrossing Fife derby with a hard fought 25-22 win at home to Glenrothes in BT Caledonia Division One.

Dunfie captain Craig McKenzie was first on the scoresheet with a try in 13 minutes. Adam Fraser missed the conversion, but atoned with penalties either side of a try for the visitors from Shaun Gray, converted by Kane Duguid. Aaron Campbell had a second touchdown for Glens, also converted by Duguid, which gave them a 14-11 advantage at the interval.

The hosts struck back through Fraser Cowe, converted by Fraser. But the momentum swung back in favour of the away side when Ross Anderson scored. The lead changed hands once more when Thomas Murray scored a converted try to create a six-point cushion.

A penalty from Duguid cut the deficit to three points, but the home side held on.

The result has moved Dunfermline above Harris in the league table after they went down 46-5 on their trip to face Grangemouth Stags.

Two penalties by Thomas Skelton and an Adam Mowat try eased the home side into an 11-0 lead but the visitors battled back when Joe Abbott crossed for an unconverted try that left Harris only six points in arrears at half-time.

A superb selfconverted score by Skelton set the tone in the second half. He also added the extras after David Harvey dotted down for a third try. The inevitable bonus point came when Fraser Stangoe touched down, with Skelton again adding the two points, as he did after setting up his skipper James Denny and when Stuart Allan darted in for try number six.

Blairgowrie extended their unbeaten run in Division Two (Midlands) to 10 games with a 90-7 win over Carnoustie and, with Blair’s nearest challengers, Hillfoots, posting a 65-5 success at Madras, it is looking like a two-horse race for the title. Kirkcaldy seconds took the honours at Brought Ferry when they saw off Panmure 38-20 and the basement battle saw Falkirk seconds emerge 45-19 victors over Morgan to move off the bottom of the table at the expense of the Dundonians.

Arbroath pushed Division Three (Midlands) leaders Waid Academy hard before succumbing 33-29.

Howe of Fife edged out Dundee University Medics 35-31, Hillfoots seconds had a fine 65-5 win over Rosyth Sharks and there were victories for Aberfeldy, who saw off Grangemouth seconds 34-12, and Glenrothes seconds, who were 31-29 winners at home to Perthshire seconds.