When the two sides met earlier in the season at Duffus Park, Howe of Fife blew Aberdeenshire away to the tune of 92-0.
It was a different story in Saturday’s RBS Championship B clash in Aberdeen and Howe had to up their game considerably to take the points.
It was five-all at the break with a try apiece from James Patterson for the home side and Chris Mason for Howe and at no time did Shire let the game get away from them.
The visitors all-round power showed in the second half, however, as they ran in three tries from Fraser Clarke, Girvin Imrie and Murray Calcott, with Dom Martin collecting the conversion from all three.
Shire hung in and a second try from Patterson and a penalty try with full back Gavin Cunningham converting both and the 26-19 scoreline gave them a well-deserved losing bonus.
The four-try bonus was crucial for Howe with both leaders Musselburgh and second-placed Jed winning with a bonus.
The top of the table now presents a fascinating prospect for the run-in, with Musselburgh played 13 and 55 points, Jed played 13 with 53 points but Howe with a game in hand over both and on 50 points.
Kirkcaldy, too, had run up a substantial score against Murrayfield Wanderers in Edinburgh in September and although they didn’t quite reach the same mark at Beveridge Park, the try bonus takes them into fourth spot above Haddington who went down to Lasswade.
Kirkcaldy came out 37-15 winners with a brace of tries from Kurt Littlejohn and one each from Gavin Mackenzie, Liam Nielson and Steve Mitchell with Craig Letham rattling in 11 points with three conversions and two penalties.
Two tries for Wanderers from Jesse Nawacalevu and one from Niger Sheehan kept their side of the scoreboard moving but they added no points with the boot, leaving Kirkcaldy one point ahead of Haddington going into the run-in.