Stags left in a rut after leaders run riot

Results in Caledonia Division 1 went largely with form on Saturday, when the final round of fixtures before the seasonal shutdown took place.

Grangemouth Stags were the latest victims of unbeaten leaders Orkney, who were 31-0 winners at Glensburgh.

The result leaves the islanders 12 points clear of second-placed Dunfermline, who have a game in hand.

The Fifers saw off Ellon 25-14 at McKane Park. Jordi Catto and Owen Bright bagged a first half try apiece while Adam Fraser added a conversion and a penalty for a 15-7 lead at the break.

Ellon battled back and cut the deficit to a point before Dunfermline regained control, with Fraser booting another penalty before sealing the win with a self-converted try.

Glenrothes moved into third spot after beating bottom side Alloa 13-8 at Earlsfield.

Two Kain Duguid penalties gave the visitors a 6-3 half-time lead with Colin Jess responding in kind for Alloa.

Glens extended the lead when Darien Kerr touched down and Duguid converted, but the hosts battled back with a Rolf Maitland try.

However, despite finishing strongly, they failed to add to their tally.

Alloa’s narrow defeat bonus point edges them closer to Hillfoots who went down 36-21 at home to Aberdeen Wanderers.

Blairgowrie chalked up a second win of the campaign when they were on the right end of a 29-24 result after a tight encounter at Garioch.

Three of the four scheduled matches in Division 2 (Midlands) were postponed for various reasons, meaning the only match that went ahead was at Elliot Road where Harris FP welcomed Dundee University Medics.

The home side took all five points after Pete Cowan, Euan Taylor, Kevin Gibb and Joe Abbott bagged a try apiece, while Grant Paterson and George Johnston were each on target with a conversion.

The 31-15 result means Harris end the year on a three-match winning run and sharing second spot in the table with Panmure.

There were points aplenty in the four fixtures that went ahead in Division 3.

The closest match was at

Bluebellwood Park where Bannockburn welcomed Morgan. Tries from Sandy Dove, Nick Cram, Chris Ireland and Jimmy Samuel secured another fourtry bonus, while David Grainey was on target with three conversions as the hosts chalked up a 26-10 win.

The victory means Bannockburn have now posted six successive bonus point wins since losing to Dunfermline seconds on the opening day of the season.

The Fifers were merciless on their trip to face Crieff and Strathearn, posting a 72-0 win that means they remain unbeaten.

That scoreline was eclipsed by Waid FP who saw off Grangemouth Stags seconds 76-0. Montrose and District were also on free-scoring form, beating Strathmore seconds 49-0.

With second-placed Howe Crusaders having no game, Division 4 leaders Stobswell took advantage of the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table when they cruised to a 79-5 win over Dunfermline thirds in a match played at Caird Park.

Elsewhere, Arbroath were 60-14 winners over Bo’ness.