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Aberdeen Grammar snapped a three-game losing streak with a comfortable victory at Championship A side Falkirk in the Caledonia Cup.
The hosts scored the first try of the match at Cala Park but the Rubislaw side’s quality told in the end as Grammar ran in eight tries to secure the victory.
Full-back Stevie Aitken scored four tries while Tom Preece (2), Erlend Oag and Jamie Lauder also touched down as two conversions from Sam Knudson gave the Premiership side a winning start to the cup campaign.
Grammar coach Kevin Wyness was satisfied with his side’s display. He said: “We were very poor in the first half and it was a typical cup tie performance where we possibly thought we were better than the opposition.
“They scored first and went 7-0 up and that was a wake-up call for us. Although our line-out was a bit scrappy, we dominated the scrum and looked dangerous. In the second half we stuck to our game-plan better. To score that number of tries in difficult conditions was very pleasing and for Stevie Aitken to score four tries from full-back was a magnificent effort. Falkirk scored the first and last tries and they deserved their scores.
“We haven’t had the best of luck recently so it was pleasing to get a victory.”
Wyness was particularly happy with the impact Lauder made in his comeback match for Grammar. He said: “Jamie was exceptional. He didn’t play for us last year and has been playing for Aberdeen University. I have worked pretty hard to convince him to come back as in my opinion he is the best scrum half in the area.
“He is one of those guys that it wouldn’t matter if he was playing against Falkirk or South Africa, he gives his all and looks comfortable.”
The Rubislaw men have been on the wrong end of some debatable refereeing calls in recent weeks but Wyness was content with how rookie whistler Mike Adamson controlled the game. He added: “Mike gave up playing for Glasgow Hawks and has been fast-tracked.
“He ran the game well. People like Mike who have an affinity for the game are few and far between and he refereed the match with common sense.”
Next up for Grammar is a home match in the Caledonia Cup against Dundee High Rugby on Saturday.
Aberdeen Grammar: Steve Aitken; Erlend Oag, Harry Duthie, Peceli Nacamavuto, Calum Gordon: Sam Knudson, Luke Earle-Wright; Matt Schosser, Sam Bingham, Struan Cessford; Andy Cramond, Jamie Metcalfe; Greig Ryan, Tony McGinness, Tom Preece.
Replacements: Rob Coates, Matt Dixon, Stuart Smith, Mark Ryan, Jamie Lauder.