Glenrothes’ preparations for the league campaign are on track after they produced an impressive performance in the BT Caledonia Shield to chalk up a 35-24 win away to Mackie Academy.
The Fifers started the game well and led 21-10 at half-time through tries from Darryl Warrender, Michael Delorey and Shaun Gray, who was also on target with all three conversions.
Further scores by Stewart Hainey and Kenny Christie, both converted by Gray, completed the win.
Tom Hainey’s men will now launch their BT Caledonia Division One title bid at home to Highland on Saturday with confidence high.
The result secures a place in the semi-finals of the regional competition and the Fifers, who reached the National Bowl final last season, will be joined in the last four by Hillfoots who also progressed with a 17-10 win at home to Highland Harris Academy turned on the style to chalk up 17 tries as they swatted off the challenge of Blairgowrie in the first round of the BT Midlands Regional Bowl.
The Elliot Road men stopped just short of a century of points as they ran out 99-3 winners.
Joe Abbott, Owen McDonald and Mike McDonald had a hat-trick apiece, while Marc Wilson and Niall Quinton weighed in with doubles.
There was one each for Rory Wares, Callum Bruce, Jack Reavely and Stewart Walker, who also added seven conversions.
Carnoustie join Harris in the second round after seeing off Kinross 17-12. Jim Michie’s men had tries by Gareth Johns, Mike Cowan and Owen Hughes, while Niall Swanson landed one of the conversions.
Ambitious St Andrews outfit Madras Rugby made a fine start to the season when they ousted Fife Southern 29-13, Panmure beat Bannockburn 22-15 away and Stirling University saw off Dundee University Medics 19-5.