Aberdeen Grammar were defeated in Glasgow despite enjoying a bright opening spell before being eventually overrun 43-12 by GHK.
The home side totally dominated the second half leaving the Rubislaw side to reflect on their position in one of the three relegation slots in National League One.
Tom Aplin, the Grammar captain and centre, conceded it had been a tough afternoon.
He said: “We played well enough in the first half, moving the ball about well, and scoring two tries, while having two tries held up in the first 10 minutes.
“But in the second half, their former professional player Tommy Spinks took over, ably supported by centre Jack Steele who created havoc in our defence.
“We had our heroes, including Johnny Spence and Youssef Salem in the forwards who both had great games, while Josh Ferguson came into the back division for the first time, and looks to be one for the future.
“We now have a difficult run-up to the Christmas break, including two games with Highland but the spirit is there, while our many youngsters are learning all the time.”
Warm ups are now underway at Old Anniesland 💪#GrammarGranite pic.twitter.com/UXGDH1FakS
— Aberdeen Grammar Rugby (@ABDNRugby) November 12, 2022
After a spirited first half, Grammar were not out of it, and at only 21-12 down could well have been expected that they would rise to the occasion.
But they were unable to cope with the wiles of Spinks and Steele, conceding 20 points without reply.
Grammar’s first-half points came from winger Gregor Gourlay and prop Mark Galloway. who is making a habit of popping up at the right time.
Aplin converted one of the touchdowns.
Grammar now have five games before the end of the year in which to improve on their second bottom place, seven points from safety, not that matches against league leaders Kelso, title-chasing Gala and Biggar will provide easy pickings, as will the challenge Highland will bring at Rubislaw on Saturday and in Inverness on December 3.
GoGos make it nine-in-a-row
In the meantime, Gordonians took another step towards promotion from National League 3 when they cruised to a 40-0 win in Edinburgh against Murrayfield Wanderers.
The game was abandoned on the hour mark after a Wanderers player was seriously injured.
Under championship rules the Countesswells side were awarded the points, making it nine wins out of nine starts, eight of which have yielded try bonus points, keeping them one point above second-placed West of Scotland.
West visit Aberdeen on December 3 for a game which will go some way to determining who wins the league.
Assistant coach Ryan Morrice is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “We are playing well of that there’s no doubt, but it’s one game at a time.
“Today we added patience to our repertoire, putting aside our tendency to rush things.
“There were one or two flowing moves which led to tries. I like to think we are improving all the time.
“We now have a week off before we take on Orkney at Countesswells on November 26.”
Gordonians led 26-0 at half time on the back of tries scored by Daniel Eakin, Ross Birnie, Ross Greig and Archie Duncan, three of which were converted by Birnie.
In the injury-shortened second half, the visitors added two more touchdowns, attributed to Jamie Wills and Jared White, both converted by the in-form Birnie.
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