Concerns after ties called off due to shortage of players

Most of the clubs in the region had a free Saturday as the focus switched from league duty to knockout competition with an eye on a possible day at BT Murrayfield next spring as the eventual prize.

However, while the day threw up some entertaining encounters, the most disturbing fact was the problems caused by a shortage of player numbers that led to several ties not going ahead.

In the Caledonia Regional Shield, Dunfermline travelled north to meet Ellon.

The Fifers have started the season well, and they continued their good form when they ousted the hosts 34-26 in a keenly contested encounter.

Craig McKenzie, Danny Clarke and Matt Wilson had a try apiece, while Adam Fraser kicked the other points.

North of Scotland Police had cruised into the last eight at the expense of Harris the previous week, but their progress in the competition was arrested by Grangemouth Stags.

Gary Dempsey led the way for the Glensburgh men with three tries and there was one each for Iain Weir, Fergus Clyne, David Harvey, Mark Petrie and Thomas Skelton who also landed five conversions and a penalty.

Alloa and Panmure served up an entertaining contest at Earlsfield with the hosts seeing off their lower division opponents 26-14.

Tries by Michael Doig, Fraser Smith and Gary Taylor, plus the accurate boot of Lee Cairney, gave the hosts a 26-0 interval lead.

Although the Broughty Ferry men battled back through tries from Grant Mortimer and Dan Jones, both converted by Rory Seymour, they had left themselves too much to do.

Blairgowrie were unable to field a side for their match at home to Orkney, meaning the islanders progress to the semifinals.

Two matches went ahead in the Caledonia Bowl. The first of those was at Bluebellwood Park where Bannockburn welcomed Kinross, who emerged as 26-8 victors.

Madras travelled to meet Aberfeldy. With two divisions between the sides, the visitors kicked off as favourites.

The match went according to form with the St Andrews men winning 28-7 to secure a spot in the semi-final draw.

Meanwhile, Waid FP booked a place in the semi-final draw after Dundee Morgan were unable to raise a team for the trip to Anstruther.