Aberdeenshire produced a convincing eight-try win against Ardrossan Accies at Woodside.
The visitors demonstrated commendable spirit, scoring four tries of their own in a free-flowing game.
Ardrossan scored the first try of the afternoon, and, at 15-14 to the good after half an hour’s play, looked on track to spring the surprise of the day, only to crumble in the face of incessant home pressure. The final score reflected Aberdeenshire’s supremacy.
Shire coach Alex Duncan was particularly happy with the young players who came into the side, including the half back pairing of scrum half David Wills and stand off Ross Greig.
Duncan said: “Considering we have only played three games since the turn of the year it was a good performance. Our two newcomers at half back played well, centre Paul Paxton kicked like a dream, landing all of his eight attempts at goal. It’s a good start to our run to the end of the season.”
Shire made a less than perfect start, leaking a simple try in four minutes when winger Robert Hunter raced over in the corner for the first of a brace for the visitors.
Stand off Jack Anderson was off target with the conversion.
Greig Ryan then tied the game up with the first of his double, leaving Paxton the easiest of his eight successful conversions. Accies rallied with a try from full back Andrew Duncan, converted by Anderson, only for flanker Doug Horrocks to plunder the visitors line to give his side a 14-12 lead after the conversion.
Ardrossan belied their lowly position in the league, enjoying a spell of pressure which led to them regaining the lead at 15-14 with a penalty on 30 minutes.
The game then belonged to the Woodsiders who scored two more tries before the break, one from hooker Andrew Cook and the other by Ryan, both converted by the immaculate Paxton, giving his side a 28-15 half-time lead.
Shire doubled their tally in the second half through further tries from replacements Thomas Dugdale and Michael MacLuglash, winger Magnus Henry, and stand off Ross Greig, all converted by Paxton.
Ardrossan never gave up, and claimed a try bonus point after wingers Hunter and Calum McKechnie scored breakaway tries, one of which was converted.
Shire now have a week off before heading to Glasgow where they meet West of Scotland in their bid to break into the top two in a highly competitive league.
