Aberdeenshire blow away Shetland to reach the final

Aberdeenshire put their stuttering Caley 2 North League form behind them to storm into the final of the Caledonia Regional Bowl by beating Shetland 45-10.

They will meet Aberdeen University, who were even bigger winners at home to Stornoway with an 81-12 win at King’s College.

Shire head coach Barny Henderson was delighted with his side’s return to winning ways after three consecutive league defeats.

He said: “This was an important win for us. We were more focused up front where we effectively won the game, and took our tries well.

“We can now look forward to a tough game with Aberdeen University in the final.”

The Woodside’s eight tries were scored by prop Steven Cook, scrum-half Paul Harrow, centre Jonny Gray, winger Keiran Fulton, Connor McFarlane (2) and flanker Tom Dugdale, while centre Gavin Cunningham was back in kicking form, adding five conversions.

Club president Alasdair Farquharson looked forward to the possibility of the club progressing to another final should they beat the students in the Caley final. He said: “Getting to

“We can now look forward to a tough game with Aberdeen Uni”

a Murrayfield final and winning it last season, galvanised the club. A repeat would be just great – but first we have to beat Aberdeen Uni.”

The students were no less impressive, running in 12 tries, to target another final of their own at Edinburgh in April. They also had the double satisfaction of the result also counting in Caley 3 North, taking them 10 points clear of second-placed RAF Lossiemouth.

In Caley 2 North, Aberdeen Grammar beat

Ross Sutherland 39-19 at Rubislaw. In the only game in Caley Division 1, Ellon were denied the chance to go third after Hillfoots were unable to raise a team to travel to the Meadows.

In the semi-final of the Caley Regional Shield, Dunfermline reached the final after beating Grangemouth Stags 39-8 and will meet Orkney, who beat Alloa 80-0 last week at Pickaquoy.