Something was going to give at Netherdale in the top-of-the-table clash between Gala and league leaders Ayr and it was nip-and-tuck before Ayr emerged 24-19 winners to go four points clear.
Nick Cox opened the score for Ayr in four minutes but three Lee Miller penalties took Gala into a 9-7 lead after the first quarter. Scott Sutherland and Calum Forrester crossed for Ayr with Peter Jecerivich making it three from three conversions for Ayr to turn 21-14 ahead. Miller's try narrowed the gap but he hit the post twice with kicks. Only a late second-half Jecerivich penalty took Ayr clear.
Melrose were 17-8 up at half time at the Greenyards against Heriots but the visitors came back for a 36-29 win. Joe Helps had two tries for Melrose with Andy Skeene, Fraser Thomson and Scott McCormick adding their own and Richard Mills converting two but tries from Jack Turley, Mark Teague, Fraser Brown and Jason Hill kept Heriots in touch. Max Learmonth went over four minutes into injury time to clinch it.
Currie were 29-10 adrift at Malleny Park against Aberdeen Grammar Rugby but a second-half comeback saw them win 39-37. Adam Hinds had a try, four conversions and a penalty for Currie with John Cox, Dougie Fife and Mark Cairns as well as a penalty try adding the bonus point scores. Tries from Will Wardlow, a brace from David Hales and one each from Craig Smith and Erland Oag earned Aberdeen two points.
Dundee came back from 10-0 down at Mayfield to beat Boroughmuir 31-10 and take second place in the table. Keith Buchan had a first-half try for 'Muir with Grahame Blackhall adding the conversion and a penalty, but they didn't add to that in the second half as Dundee piled on pressure with two tries from Danny Levison and more tries from Andy Redmayne, and Andy Dymock. The kicks were shared between Stewart Walker, Levison and Jamie Urquhart.
Stirling County were well ahead by 27-13 at the break against Edinburgh Accies but the visitors ran them close, going down by only two points 34-32.
Byron McGuigan had two tries for Stirling and Adam Ashe, Rory Hughes and Troy Nathat one apiece with Brian Archibald slotting two conversions and Stuart Edwards a penalty. Accies came away with two bonus points thanks to tries from Dan Teague, Gavin Douglas, Ewan Campbell and Calum Reid with Ruaridh Bonnar collecting three conversions and a penalty.
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