Alloa stay top as Glens pull clear of challengers Strathie

Alloa moved to the top of BT Caledonia Division One with a 36-31 win away to Mackie Academy.

The Earlsfield men, who led 12-7 at half-time through tries from Ross Brydie and Gary Taylor, had a double by Rab Truesdale before Matt Pope and Ally Edwards touched down to clinch the victory, despite Alloa finishing with 14 men after Martin McKenzie was red carded for a dangerous tackle.

And, with erstwhile leaders Gordonians engaged on knockout duty, Alloa assumed pole position, four points clear of the Aberdonian outfit, albeit having played two matches more.

Fourth-placed Glenrothes pulled further clear of nearest challengers Strathmore with a 30-15 win at home to the Inchmacoble men.

The Fifers led 10-5 at half time through a Rhys Bryce try, converted by Kain Duguid, who also booted a penalty, while Ally Smith touched down for Strathie.

And the home side ensured they gained revenge for a defeat the last time the sides met when Bryce, Stevie Dean and Aaron Campbell claimed tries while Duguid landed a penalty and a conversion.

The visitors’ points came from a try by Tim Malkowski as well as a penalty and a conversion from Stewart Ross.

Harris FP posted an impressive 31-5 success at Carnoustie. They reached the interval 24-0 ahead after Scott Smart claimed two tries and Stephen Whyte also dotted down while Stewart Walker kicked all three conversions and a penalty.

Although the second period was more closely contested, a touchdown from Marc Wilson, converted by Walker, sealed all five league points for the visitors.

Division Two (Midlands) pacesetters Grangemouth Stags eased to a 105-13 win at home to Morgan Academy.

Second-placed Falkirk seconds hosted Hillfoots and led 13-7 early in the second period when the match was abandoned.

Crieff & Strathearn chalked up a 73-0 win at Kinross to move a point clear of Blairgowrie, who failed to take the bonus point from a hard-fought 11-9 success at Kirkcaldy seconds.

The hefty loss for Morgan Academy, plus a 57-31 win for Panmure away to Howe of Fife seconds, has moved the Broughty Ferry side to eighth in the table.

Madras now top Division Three Midlands (North) after a 68-10 win at home to the Angus Development XV which yielded a bonus point, while previous leaders Waid Academy took only four league points from their 18-12 win over Aberfeldy.

Dundee University Medics maintained their challenge with a 39-29 win at Arbroath, while Perthshire seconds were 81-17 winners at home to Stobswell.

In Division Three Midlands (South) Glenrothes seconds crashed 40-0 against Grangemouth seconds while Fife Southern were awarded a 28-0 win over Hillfoots seconds.