Stags signal they’re in running for title by notching up six tries

Most rugby clubs in the regional leagues had a day off on Saturday, which was used as an opportunity to catch up with matches that had been postponed in the opening weeks of the league programme.

While that meant only a few teams saw competitive action, several of the games that did take place had a bearing at the top and bottom of the respective league tables.

An intriguing battle for the Tennent’s Caledonia Division One title is starting to take shape. And Grangemouth Stags look set to feature in the race for the silverware after posting an impressive 44-27 win at home to Aberdeen Wanderers in a fixture that was rescheduled from last month.

Stags bagged six tries, with David Harvey and James Denny each dotting down twice, while there was one apiece for Stuart Hugh and Logan Clark.

Tommy Skelton accounted for the rest of the points with four conversions and two penalties.

The result means that Stags, who are one of three unbeaten sides in the division, sit second in the table, although one of their matches ended in a draw, two points behind Orkney who beat Caithness in the day’s only other game.

Harris FP moved to the top of Division Two (Midlands) after taking the honours in an entertaining clash with Panmure.

Although there was some rain to contend with, conditions were more favourable than the last time the pair met in an Elliot Road mud bath almost two years ago. However, the outcome was the same, with Harris emerging as winners, albeit by a larger margin on this occasion.

The hosts eased into a 22-7 lead at half time then shared 24 points with Pannie in the second period to complete a 34-19 win – the first loss of the campaign for the Broughty Ferry men.

Harris now occupy the top place in the table, a point clear of another unbeaten side, Dundee University Medics, whom they face on Saturday when all of the teams across the region will be back in action.

Of the three matches scheduled in Division Three (Midlands), one was cancelled because of Covid, and one because of a player shortage.

That left the game between Dundee seconds and their Perthshire counterparts at Alloway Place as the only fixture to go ahead.

It turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for the home side who chalked up a 53-17 win that means they now share the top spot with Crieff.

The Glenrothes Development side got back to winning ways when they welcomed Aberfeldy to Carleton Park in Division Four (Midlands).

The Fifers had been unable to raise a team when the match was originally scheduled for the opening day of the season.

However, they were prepared this time and got the best of it, posting a 22-12 win. The day’s other game was a basement battle as Hillfoots seconds travelled to meet Arbroath.

And it proved to be a worthwhile trip for the Tillicoultry men who recorded a 46-0 success.

Cole Forbes ran in two tries as Glasgow claimed a 35-24 United Rugby Championship victory over the Sharks at Scotstoun.

A dominant first-half performance opened up a 28-10 lead at the break for Warriors, with the bonus point already in the bag.

However, Danny Wilson’s men will be frustrated that they went off the boil in the final half-hour instead of really putting an ordinarylooking Sharks outfit to the sword.

Substitute Leonardo Marin stunned Edinburgh with an 85th minute drop-goal as Benetton won a United Rugby Championship thriller 28-27 in Treviso.

Edinburgh scored four tries through Ben Vellacott (2), WP Nel and Stuart McInally.