Gordonians extended their unbeaten run to 10 games in National League Three with an exciting 13-try win at the expense of Caley rivals Orkney.
The visitors were seriously understrength for the Countesswells test but that should take nothing away from a polished, confident home side who are now six points clear of second-placed West of Scotland.
Captain Chris McIroy was thrilled by the 83-14 win but knows his side face a bigger test next week.
He said: “We have added a new dimension to our game since being relegated last season.
“We are now more patient, not to say focused but can now look forward to meeting West of Scotland in Glasgow next week.
“While it’s not a title decider it will be a good indication of where we are at in our quest to bounce straight back to National 2.
“There are a number of younger players in the side who are improving every week. Having scored 507 points in 10 games is a clear statement of our intent.”
Robb pleased by second-half effort from Orkney
Derek Robb, the Orcadian head coach was generous in defeat.
He said: “Gordonians are a good young, athletic side but we were six players short of our full-strength side.
“The fact that I was on our replacement bench tells its own tale.
“We took a first-half hammering, conceding 57 points but I was proud of our second-half effort, fighting back with two tries and making a game of it.
“I thought our centre Scott Russell and flanker Gary Nicholson were standouts in a brave team performance.”
Playing with a strong cold wind Gordonians sailed into a 28-point lead in 25 minutes, handling and running with the confidence of a side full of belief and purpose.
A burst of scoring took the home total to 57-0 at the interval, comprised of nine touchdowns and six conversions.
Improved second-half from Orkney
In fairness to the islanders, they steadied the ship, hitting back with tries attributed to Liam Moore and captain Alistair Linklater both converted by Justine Pizon.
While a fight back was never on the cards it was a much more competitive second half in which the home side added four more tries, three of which were converted by centre Angus Winning who ended the afternoon with a total of 28 points made up of two tries and nine conversions.
The other home try scorers were Jamie Wills (3), Ross Birnie (3), Oli Ferdinand (2), Struan Dow, Tom Williams and Grant Salisbury.
National Shield woe for Caley clubs
There was no joy for any of the Caledonian clubs in action in the National Shield, although Ross Sutherland were unlucky 34-32 losers at home to Dalziel.
Moray were unable to repeat the heroics of their second-round win against Ellon, going down 27-7 at Dunfermline.
Aberdeenshire were beaten 37-3 in Oban, while Aberdeen Wanderers made the long journey to Dumfries and Galloway where they were beaten 69-0 by Stewartry.
In Caley 2 North, North Police Scotland were narrow 2 -17 winners at home to Banff.
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