The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dundee High grab six tries as they come from behind to beat Grammar
After a long spell in the inactive stakes, Dundee High Rugby have certainly made up for lost time, going down by two points in a BT National 1 78-point thriller at Musselburgh last week then taking Aberdeen Grammar apart at Mayfield with a convincing 36-19 win.
It didn’t look as though it would be quite so easy at the break though with Aberdeen 19-17 ahead, but Dundee, who grabbed six tries, had then unleashed a ferocious second half to secure victory.
Flanker Alasdair Mackie bagged a hattrick, while Danny McGinn, No 8 Lewis McNamara and Duncan Leese had one apiece and Harvey Young slotted three conversions.
Dundee lie fifth in the table with two games to go, one against Cartha Q/P next Saturday which is definitely winnable but the likelihood is that when they meet Jed in their last game, the Riverside men will still be toe-to-toe with Edinburgh Accies for straight promotion or a play-off place.
Still, that is not a bad spot to finish in considering some of the disappointments Dundee have had this season.
They are holding their breath at Beveridge Park where only two points are needed from three games to secure promotion.
A fortnight ago they dug out a big one against Peebles but it was even closer at Hartreemill when Biggar stated their BT National 2 creds and came close to stealing the result.
Luhann Kutze’s try put Biggar ahead, Euan Boyle converted and added a penalty, and although Danny Jennings and Finlay Smith both ran in tries, the scores were even at 10-all going into the final minutes.
Smith was coolness personified as he nailed what could prove to be the most important kick of Kirkcaldy’s season.
The visitors hung on and in the end knew they were within touching distance of glory.
Their 36-15 win over Preston Lodge at Duffus Park means that Howe of Fife are now clear of the relegation dogfight in BT National 2.
This week’s result means they cannot be caught by the two clubs in the relegation spots – Preston Lodge and Whitecraigs –and they did that in some style.
They ran in five tries from Chris Mann, Graham Thomson, Fraser Allan, Duncan McIntyre and Ross Aitken, with Shaun Gray adding four conversions and a drop goal.
The best Howe can get to this season is seventh spot but that is a good place for the club to start building.
Perthshire are left contemplating not only a 73-13 thumping at the hands of Murrayfield Wanderers but also the fact that the heavy defeat has plunged them back into relegation trouble.
Shire are third from the bottom with two games left, one against Highland – who will be desperate to rack up the points in their quest for promotion –and also against Orkney, who are one point ahead of the North Inch men with three games to play.
It looks as though Shire are going to have to rely on others to dig them out of this one.