Dunfermline retained top spot in RBS Caledonia Division One after emerging from a hard-fought encounter at Strathmore with a 26-22 win.
Strathie had a try from Fraser McKay and a series of kicks from Stewart Ross, plus Graeme Low touched down either side of half-time and Gregor McNeish booted the other points for the visitors.
Disappointed home skipper Stuart Gray acknowledged the quality of the Fifers, saying: “We battled hard for 80 minutes but the superior tactical game of the experienced Dunfermline side told in the end.”
St Andrews University had extra cause for celebration after a 38-15 win away to Ellon, whose coach Duaine Lindsay had stated in a match preview on his club’s website: “We will win against St Andrews, I can assure you of that.”
Lindsay’s St Andrews University counterpart David Ross also took to the internet after the match to say: “Their website post was not lost on their coach when I reminded him about it at the final whistle.”
It was also a fruitful day for Morgan Academy, who saw off bottom side Gordonians 33-17 at Forfar Road.
Meanwhile, Perthshire took a bonus point from their long haul to meet Orkney after Adam Pattinson dotted down twice. Dom O’Connor also claimed a try and added a conversion plus three penalties in a 30-23 loss.
In Division Two (Midlands), Harris Academy made the short trip to face Panmure and returned with all five points after posting a 57-10 win.
Greg Matthew bagged two touchdowns for Harris and was on target with six conversions. Henry Rymer also had a double and there was one apiece for Mike Devlin, Calum Keddie, Graeme Merry, Jack Reavely and Andy Wallace.
All of the home side’s points came from Ben Strachan through a converted try and a penalty.
The win keeps the Elliot Road side on the heels of the two unbeaten pacesetters, Hillfoots and Glenrothes.
The former clinched a third successive four-try bonus point with a 48-24 success at home to Stirling University, while the Fifers bagged a second bonus in three matches when they were 48-7 winners at Alloa.
Dundee University also remain undefeated, albeit having played a game less, after triumphing 22-7 at Kinross. Grangemouth Stags opened their account for the season with a 28-10 win at Madras Rugby.
Howe of Fife seconds lead the way in Division Three (Midlands) after extending their perfect start to three matches with a 70-10 win over Bannockburn.
Crieff and Strathearn are one point behind after the Tainsh brothers contributed all of the points in a 25-22 win at Fife Southern.
Carnoustie were the day’s top scorers with a 98-0 success over Waid Academy. Kirkcaldy seconds beat their Grangemouth counterparts and Blairgowrie saw off Glenrothes seconds.
Perthshire seconds top Division Four (Midlands) after beating Stirling at Bridgehaugh and Dundee University Medics were comfortable winners over Strathmore seconds.
Stobswell posted their first success of the season against Falkirk seconds, and Hillfoots seconds saw off their Alloa counterparts.