Pars exit Shield after Stags score late retaken penalty

The focus switched from league action to knockout competition on Saturday, with the first round ties in the BT Caledonia Shield and Bowl competitions and the distant dream of a trip to finals day at BT Murrayfield next spring.

There were some fiercely-contested encounters and a dramatic finale to the tie between Dunfermline and Grangemouth Stags at McKane Park.

After a third try of the afternoon for Adam Hind tied the scores at 24-24, Thomas Skelton was left with a conversion to seal victory for the Stags.

He missed with his first effort but the referee deemed that the Dunfermline players had charged too early and ordered a retake, which Skelton steered between the sticks to book a spot in the last eight.

Harris progressed after a hard-fought 17-10 win away to Hillfoots, with Iain Ayton and Joe Abbott claiming the tries.

Progressing alongside Stags and Harris were last year’s beaten national finalists Blairgowrie, who took the first step along the road towards a return trip to Murrayfield when they saw off Banff 60-7.

Strathmore exited at the hands of Caithness and Glenrothes lost away to Mackie Academy, while Carnoustie also departed after conceding the tie against Aberdeen Wanderers because of a player shortage.

A lack of personnel was also a feature in the BT Bowl (Midlands) where Crieff & Strathearn were handed the win over Aberfeldy, and Rosyth Sharks progressed at the expense of Bo’ness who failed to raise a side.

Morgan were the day’s high scorers, seeing off Stobswell 84-7, while Panmure chalked up a 33-14 success at home to Arbroath. Dundee University Medics won 45-21 away to Madras.

Alloa seconds beat Howe of Fife seconds 29-24 in a BT Division Three clash at Cupar.