Harris forced to concede Shield clash to Caithness

The focus switched from the chase for league points to the battle to move a step further along the road to finals day at Murrayfield next spring when the quarter-finals of the BT Caledonia Shield and Bowl took centre stage on Saturday.

It proved to be a disappointing weekend for Harris who had been gearing up for a trip to face Caithness.

With plans in place to leave Dundee at 6am for the long haul to Thurso, the Elliot Road men could only muster 14 players ready to travel.

As the rules stipulate that it is essential to have a full starting complement of 15, Harris reluctantly had to cancel the journey and concede the tie.

Of the matches that did go ahead, Aberdeen Wanders saw off Garioch while Division One Alloa welcomed Division Two pacesetters and last year’s BT National Bowl runners-up, Blairgowrie, to Earlsfield.

The lower league side presented a decent challenge to the hosts before an entertaining encounter ended with Alloa inflicting a first defeat of the season on Blair and booking a semi-final slot.

Early tries from Jamie Syme and Ed Waller set Alloa on their way and they led 24-10 at half time, leaving Blair with a deficit that they never looked likely to overturn.

However, to their credit, Blair battled all the way and ensured there could be no easing off by Alloa who kept the scoreboard ticking over and rounded off the 41-22 success when Graeme Ross dotted down for the last of the home side’s seven tries.

“This was a good solid performance by Alloa against a Blairgowrie side who were used to winning and had nothing to lose on the day,” said Alloa vice president Jim Gove, who believes Saturday’s opponents are capable of stepping up to the top division.

He was also impressed by those who made the trip from JJ Coupar Park, adding: “Blair players and a sizeable travelling support contributed to an enjoyable afternoon on and off the park.”

In the Bowl, Rosyth Sharks were the day’s top scorers, progressing to the last four with a 64-19 win at home to Crieff & Strathearn. Joining them in the semi finals are Kinross, who ousted Bannockburn 43-10 and Panmure who got the better of Division Three leaders Waid 45-22 at Anstruther.

The other quarterfinal tie will take place on Friday when Morgan line up against Dundee University Medics under the lights at Inchmacoble.

Meanwhile, in Division Two (Caledonia), Madras moved up to seventh with a comprehensive 54-17 win at home to basement side Falkirk seconds in their rescheduled fixture.

The one match that went ahead in Division Three (Midlands) saw Grangemouth seconds ease to a 40-7 success away to their Hillfoots counterparts.