Foray north proves fruitless for Howe

The foray north to take on Aberdeen Grammar Rugby resulted in Howe of Fife coming at the wrong end of another big scoreline as they went down 53-22.

It is not the end of the world, though, and not the end of Howe’s season because, although they sit third bottom of the BT National 1 table, Peebles and Kelso are already relegated.

That made it a more relaxed game for both sides since Aberdeen, too, have avoided the drop.

Howe, with two games remaining – one a hazardous mid-week jaunt to Jed, then to Glasgow to face GHA in their final game – could in fact still haul themselves up to a highly respectable mid-table slot.

Kirkcaldy don’t play their final BT National 2 match until next week, when they take on promotion chasers Cartha QP at Beveridge Park.

One side going out in a blaze of glory is Perthshire.

GHK turned up at North Inch with an 18-match unbeaten run in BT National 3 behind them in the league, the only defeat being that against Ayr at Millbrae in the quarter final of the BT Cup.

Things looked like heading for another win for the Old Anniesland men as they led 23-11 at half time, then 30-24 with five minutes to go. Gorka Garte, James Forrester and Dom O’Connor had nicked tries for ’Shire, with O’Connor failing with the conversions but slotting three penalties.

Lock Nick Hurn had two tries for the visitors, with Danny Campbell and Tony Herron claiming one each.

Campbell’s two conversions and three penalties looked to have clinched the points for GHK.

Matt Smith then took a hand. The wing dotted down in the corner, with O’ Connor landing the touch line conversion to take the lead 31-30.

Although GHK threw everything into the final few minutes, ’Shire withstood the pressure and came away with a notable victory.