Dunfermline edge closer to Strathie after battling Stags

With leaders Strathmore having a Saturday off, Dunfermline took the opportunity to close the gap on the pacesetters with a 31-5 win away to Grangemouth Stags.

The visitors reached the break with a 14-5 lead before taking charge in the second half.

Darren Donaldson, Danny Clarke, Graeme Low, Callum Allardice and Scott Murphy had a try apiece, with Adam Fraser kicking the other points, while Stags had a touchdown from Gary Dempsey. The result leaves Dunfermline six points adrift of Strathie, with both sides having played six matches.

Alloa were untroubled in beating Harris 60-5 at Earlsfield.

Harris, who started the game with only 16 available players and lost a prop to injury, resulting in uncontested scrums, grabbed a late consolation try through Harry Mowat.

Hillfoots welcomed Aberdeen Wanderers and were given a good test before emerging as 40-7 winners.

Glenrothes made the trip to face Ellon. Three first half tries by Callum Kennedy, two of which were converted by Kain Duguid, saw the Fifers into a 19-13 half time lead. However, it was late in the game before Kennedy bagged his fourth try to secure a 24-16 win.

A 29-7 win for Blairgowrie at Panmure that yielded all five league points means there is no change at the top of Division Two (Midlands), where Blair have a perfect 30-point haul from six matches.

Dundee University Medics are five points adrift after chalking up a 39-19 win away to Kirkcaldy seconds.

Third-placed Carnoustie were 67-5 winners at home to Madras, and Falkirk seconds recorded a 27-15 success at home to Kinross.

Arbroath continue to set the pace in Division Three with a 36-12 win over Aberfeldy.

Nearest pursuers Rosyth Sharks met Morgan at Alloway Place. The hosts were left ruing errors at key moments as Rosyth took the honours 22-17. The match at Glensburgh also produced a 22-17 result, with Crieff & Strathearn beating Grangemouth Stags seconds.

In the day’s other game, the Angus Development side saw off Waid 43-0 at Inchmacoble.

A 34-12 win for Dunfermline seconds over Bannockburn leaves the Fifers 12 points clear at the top of Division four after second-placed Montrose lost 38-19 away to Hillfoots seconds.

Perthshire seconds had a 28-24 success at Bo’ness while Stobswell lost 95-5 at home to Glenrothes Development side.