Nine in a row for in-form Strathmore

Strathmore emerged from the trip to face Grangemouth Stags with a ninth successive bonus point win. But the Inchmacoble men were given a stiff test by the hosts before eventually emerging as 30-10 winners.

Gus Smith touched down twice for Strathie and was joined on the score sheet by Darren Bell, Glenn Feighan and Andrew Burgess, who had a try, a conversion and a penalty.

With Dunfermline having a free Saturday, third-placed Glenrothes cut the gap on their Fife rivals with a comprehensive 62-11 win away to Aberdeen Wanderers. Shaun Gray, Rhys Bryce and Ewan Arthur had two tries each, while there was one apiece for Michael Delorey, Ross Anderson, Cammy Goodall and James Cowan.

Hillfoots had too much power for Harris and eased to a 45-7 win, Scott Gibb getting the consolation for Harris.

Elsewhere, Alloa went down 60-33 away to Ellon but took a bonus point thanks to a try double by Rab Truesdale and one each for David Jess, Kris Aitken and Matt Duncan.

Division Two Midlands pacesetters Blairgowrie were untroubled in taking all five league points from a 55-13 win at home to Kinross. Nearest challengers Panmure made a blistering start to their match at home to Madras, quickly establishing a 21-0 lead. However, the visitors battled back and Pannie had to work hard for a 34-26 success. Carnoustie posted a 32-17 win away to Falkirk seconds, while Kirkcaldy seconds and Stirling County thirds drew 24-24.

In Division Three leaders Rosyth were squeezed out 34-31 at Crieff & Srathearn, while second-placed Dundee Morgan missed out on the chance to go top after going down 36-22 against Waid Academy at Alloway Place.

The hosts played almost the whole match with 14 men after Ross Duncan was red carded in only six minutes for a high tackle. Morgan had led 22-17 at half-time with tries from Cameron Keir, Gregor Mitchell and Craig Shearer plus seven points from the boot of Rory Collins but failed to score again after the break.

Arbroath had three points deducted for failing to field a side away to Grangemouth Stags seconds.

In Division Four, leaders Dunfermline seconds saw off Stobswell 56-7, Montrose chalked up a 50-0 result over the Glenrothes Development side, and Bannockburn beat Bo’ness 70-3.