Aberdeen Grammar looked nothing like a Premiership side at Cupar where they struggled to get past Howe of Fife, a side three leagues beneath them, and relied on a late try to claim the Caledonian Regional Cup.
The muted celebrations at the presentation ceremony said much about the situation as clearly minds were on the challenge of trying to avoid relegation, starting on Saturday with a tricky trip to Edinburgh to play Currie.
Grammar coach Kevin Wyness acknowledged it had been a close run thing against an enterprising, purposeful Duffus Park side which must now focus attention on gaining promotion from Championship B, where it is in third position.
Wyness said: “We were out-thought and outplayed in the first half by a very organised Howe side, but we dominated the second half. We have done a lot of growing up since we played Ayr in the league just before Christmas. It is forgotten that we have some very young players in the team.
“Five weeks ago we would have lost this game. It’s now about getting our focus for Saturday’s game at Currie. We didn’t give up today and we’ll not be giving up in our four-game run in.”
Howe controlled the early plays, getting their reward in six minutes when stand off Dominic Martin kicked one of the many penalties awarded against an under-siege Grammar side which took nearly 15 minutes to mount a first attack.
It proved to be a telling one in which lock Andy Crammond rounded off a good forwards move with a try, converted superbly from the touchline by stand off Mark Ryan.
The Duffus Park side returned to the attack, adding another Martin penalty before, just on half-time, they scored a try their play merited.
After slick passing in the Howe back line, centre Girvin Imrie raced over – to the unconfined joy of the enthusiastic home support, which sensed a shock was on the cards. Martin’s easy conversion gave the home side a deserved 13-7 lead at half-time.
Grammar raised their game in the second period but, despite intense pressure created by a determined pack led by number eight Tom Preece and prop Struan Cessford, they were still six points in arrears going into the last 10 minutes.
The dam eventually burst when Cessford drove over, leaving replacement stand off Graeme Clow a straightforward kick to win the game and claim the cup and giving Grammar a place in the last eight of the Scottish Cup.
There were passmarks for full back Steve Aitken, winger Erlend Oag, flanker Tony McGinness, lock Andy Crammond, Cessford and Preece.