Aberdeen Grammar put behind them a dreadful season in which they were relegated, turning in a defiant performance in a narrow 24-21 loss at Biggar.
It was an encouraging display from a young Grammar side who experienced back-to-back relegations.
Captain Tom Aplin, who was making his 99th appearance for Grammar, was delighted with the response of his side a week after going down.
He said: “This was a really gutsy performance. I am so proud of everyone, despite the result.
“The young boys stood up so well, particularly teenager Seamus Gilmartin, making his debut.
“He was dominant in the lineout, ably supported by No 8 Youssef Salem, backs Alistair Fitzgerald and Gregor Gourlay.
“This performance acts as a springboard for next season.”
But while the youngsters were the talk of the town, special mentions have to be made of players like Sam Knudson, Craig Shepherd and Liam Buchan who supplemented the youthful enterprises with mature, solid performances.
Grammar trailed 12-7 at the interval but rallied in the second half to retain parity in the second half with tries from prop Buchan and winger Ben Renton, adding to the first half touchdown of centre Shepherd, all converted by Aplin.
Grammar have two more games remaining in which to go down with a flourish against Gala at Rubislaw and Watsonians away.
Highland up the ante in second half
In the same division, Highland kept their top four aspirations alive in Dundee where the home side had no answer to the second half surge of the Canal Park side who were convincing 31-12 winners after being held 5-5 at half time.
Davie Carson, the Highland head coach, was delighted with the second half performance which sets up an enthralling end-of-the-season encounter against league leaders Kelso who need one point from the game to end the season as National League One champions.
The Inverness side will almost certainly have to win to achieve their objective of a top four place.
‘Couldn’t have had better preparation’
Carson said: “This was the perfect response to last week’s sluggish showing at Rubislaw.
“We saw a dogged Dundee were tiring late in the first half and focused on giving them the runaround in the second half.
“It worked a treat with the forwards going through 15 phases before scoring our second try of the afternoon to add to lock Grant Jamieson’s first half effort.
“We just couldn’t have had better preparation for our big game with Kelso on April 15.”
Carson singled out prop Jonny Milton for special mention after the youngster scored Highland’s fifth try of the afternoon.
He added: “Once again he put in a huge shift, and there is more to come from him, of that I am sure.”
The other touchdowns were attributed to flanker Gregor Gordon, winger Magnus Henry and the ever-alert Hugo Crush who has made the No 9 berth his own.
Stand off Scott Fraser kicked three conversions.
But arguably the performance of the day was at Kinloss where the Eagles flew the flag for Caledonian by reaching a Murrayfield final when they held off the considerable challenge of Cumbernauld, scoring two late tries to ease through 31-17.
‘We have a league to win’
Coach Mike Lawton was delighted with the win which keeps the Eagles on course for a National Shield and league double.
He said: “It was a hard-fought affair which we just shaded.
“We look forward to being Caley’s only senior team to play in a Murrayfield final this season on May 6. In the meantime, we have a league to win.”
The Eagles tries were scored by Joe McLean, Steve Laidlaw, Tautusu Qanicui and Pita Moku.
The final of the National Bowl will be played at Murrayfield on Saturday May 6 when Kinloss Eagles meet Panmure who beat Edinburgh University Medics 19-14 in the second semi final.
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