Gordonians and Caithness face the grim prospect of being relegated from National Leagues 1 and 2 after losing pivotal games against Falkirk and Hillhead-Jordanhill.
The Countesswells side lost 5-0 at Falkirk, with David Stoddart scoring the only try for the hosts on the hour mark.
Gordonians head coach Ryan Morrice said: “We did the hard part in the first half when we played into the strong wind, containing them and turning round looking to capitalise on our effort in the second half. We had numerous chances to score but managed to squander them.
“It was most frustrating, as has been our entire season, but we’re not relegated yet. We have three games to play, two at home to Stewart’s Melville and Newton Stewart, while we are away to promotion-chasing GHK next week.”
In Thurso, Caithness were beaten 29-12 by Hillhead-Jordanhill and, with four games left to play, are six points behind ninth-placed Murrayfield Wanderers, who have six games left. Caithness head coach Ewan Boyd said: “We were unable to make use of the elements after turning round 29-0 down.
“We won the second half 12-0 but were beaten by the better team. This result reflects where we are in the league, but we are not down yet, and will battle on. Marc Nicolson put in a big shift and got his reward with a second-half try.”
The other home touchdown came from Cameron Ryder, while stand-off Marc Anderson kicked a conversion.
Meanwhile, Highland kept their bid for second place alive in National League 1, easing to a 43-12 away win against Dundee High. The game was made easier after a straight red card for a home player in the 12th minute.
Head coach Dave Carson said: “There’s no doubt the dismissal so early changed the game, but we went about our business in a very professional way and had the game won by half-time. We now look forward to two home games against Stirling and Melrose.
“I still believe we can overhaul Heriots and snatch second place, which in our first season in the top national league would be an amazing feat.”
Highland led 19-0 at half-time on the back of three tries, attributed to Stuart McDonald, Oscar Baird and Andrew Linklater, two of which were converted by stand-off Scott Fraser.
He added two more conversions to his tally, as Highland ran in four second-half tries, touched down by Sean Blair, Mick Gordon, Steven Murray and Gregor Gordon.
