There must have been a few of the Dundee High faithful left scratching their heads on Saturday and asking themselves: “Where did that one come from?”
After all Dundee had not picked up a win since October 11 when they beat BT National League 1 whipping boys Hillhead Jordanhill yet they ended a miserable run by going through to Glasgow and turning over promotion contenders GHA at Braidholm and in some style too.
The game was practically over by the break with Dundee leading 24-7 and GHA wondering what had hit them, and the final scoreline of 38-12 in no way flattered the visitors.
Dundee No 10 Harry Miller led the points spree with 18 from a try, five conversions and a penalty with the other bonus point-clinching tries coming from prop Stevie Longwell, flanker Jonny Petty, scrum-half Alan Dymock and No 8 Mike Stubbs.
Peter Jericevich and Lewis Anderson had tries for GHA, Jericevich converted one but the home side were never really at the races.
That win now sees Dundee into sixth spot, level with Aberdeen Grammar Rugby in fifth on 28 points, but then there is a big gap of nine points to fourth placed Watsonians.
It was a big match for both sides at Duffus Park and a 38-20 win for Howe of Fife over Musselburgh ensured Gary Horne’s troops go into clear second spot in BT National 2 behind Hamilton.
There was only one score in it at half-time with Howe ahead 21-15 but they stretched away after the break and Burgh could only run in a third try from Danny Owenson to add to Steve Finnigan and Neil McNairn’s touchdowns so they were denied even a losing bonus.
Alisdair Wilson had a couple of tries for Howe, Rob Douglas, Chris Mason and Dom Martin had one each and Martin did his executioner’s job with the boot converting all five tries and adding a penalty.
Howe are now five points behind Hamilton and that shoot-out for the top spot comes next Saturday when Howe travel to Laigh Bent to face the current league leaders in what, even at this stage, could be a title decider.
Hamilton were merciless at home against Kirkcaldy and the Beveridge Park men could have got back on the bus at half-time as they trailed 40-7, the final scoreline not a lot more respectable at 52-21.
Kirkcaldy’s points came from tries by Conor Littlejohn, Colin Wood and Dayle Turner with Craig Letham slotting all three conversions.
In the first half of their BT National 3 clash against Preston Lodge at North Inch, two Duncan Clow penalties kept Perthshire on the radar at half-time with the score 19-6.
But PL pulled away in the second half and despite Shire tries from Etienne Melville and Matt Rae, the promotion chasing Pennypit side ran in six tries to come out comfortably 39-16 on top.
Dunfermline belied their lowly 11th spot with a 25-24 win at Marress against Irvine.