Aberdeen Grammar surged back to winning ways at Rubislaw with an eight-try rout of Cartha Queen’s Park, giving their team manager John Stewart the perfect send-off on his last day in charge of the National League 1 side.
The delighted Stewart, who is leaving the area to take up a new post in Bristol, said: “This was a great way for me to sign off after three years in the post of team manager.
“There were key performances from back rower Robin Cessford and the ever-improving Bryn Perrott at stand off, while winger Grant Walker just gets better with age.
“I just hope this generally young team goes on to build on this good campaign next season.
“It has been a great privilege and pleasure to work with these guys.’’
Grammar took their time getting into their stride against a limited Glasgow side but when they made the breakthrough after 19 minutes it was a try worth waiting for.
Cessford showed a great turn of pace to run in from 50 yards after a fine passing move sparked by scrum half Jake Gray. Perrott kicked the difficult conversion to set the tone for the afternoon but, just as the noisy home crowd were settling back and hoping to enjoy a one-sided contest, Grammar shipped a sloppy unconverted try to Cartha prop Juaniel Bryan.
Thereafter, it was all Grammar who added three more tries before the break, attributed to Perrott, Gray and Walker, two of which were converted by the in-form Perrott, giving the home side a 26-5 lead at half-time.
To no one’s surprise Grammar continued to dominate in the second half, running in four more tries, but aided by some poor tackling from the visitors.
Walker sparked off the second half procession to the Cartha line, while fellow winger Calum Ruxton got in on the act with a brace of his own.
The excellent home centre Nathan Clough also chipped in with a driving run to the line. Perrott added one conversion to give him a personal tally of 13 points for the afternoon.
Cartha had the last word when, on the stroke of the final whistle, flanker Milan Marinkovic nipped through a hesitant home defence for a late unconverted try.
But the day belonged to Grammar who can now look forward to a derby Mayfield against Dundee High on Saturday with the chance to leapfrog their rivals in the league.
Walker, who will be calling time on a long and distinguished career on the wing for the Rubislaw side after the last game of the season at home to Falkirk on April 7, said: “We have been threatening to turn someone over. This was a good allround performance.”
l Orkney moved out of the relegation area in National 3 with a spirited five-try win against Hillhead Jordanhill under their new coaching team, led by vice-president Gary Coultherd.
The result moves them above second-bottom Dalziel, who were beaten 69-24 by Murrayfield Wanderers.
A delighted Coultherd said: “This was a good, solid win. Hopefully we can build on this when we travel to fellow strugglers Haddington at the weekend.
“In the meantime, we are going to enjoy this victory before concentrating on our last four games, including the upcoming match against Haddington, which is going to be vital.
“That is followed by home games against Murrayfield Wanderers and Perthshire. It’s up to us to keep the momentum going.”
The home side laid the basis for the win in the first half, scoring three tries, one of which was converted, to lead 17-5 at the break.
The five home tries were scored by Alistair and James Linklater, Scott Rendall, Don Tualsea and Alex Cansour with James Linklater kicking two conversions.