Preston Lodge 26 Aberdeenshire 80

PRESTON Lodge were thrashed in their first home league match on Saturday, shipping 12 tries to Aberdeenshire.

The visitors, who were in top form throughout, scored three tries inside the first quarter to lead 0-19, but two tries for Andrew Clark's side brought them back into the match.

Ewan Runciman was the first to go over after good work by stand-off Robbie Griffin, who converted the try.

A clever kick by the PL number 10 then allowed half-back colleague Dale Gordon to go over out wide. Griffin's conversion was off target, but the gap was reduced to five points.

Aberdeenshire scored two further first half tries to wrap up a bonus point, but PL scored a third before the interval as Jason Riley powered over from a five metre scrum.

Clark's side trailed 19-33 at the break, but knew they needed an improved performance after the break to have any chance of victory.

Instead, the second half performance was one of huge disappointment, as ill-discipline and slack play allowed the visitors to take charge of the match.

Some excellent play saw them extend their lead to 19-68 with a raft of tries.

Visiting stand-off Carne Green chipped in with a 25-point haul thanks to a try and 10 conversions, while flanker Doug Horrocks, hooker Andy Cook, lock James Halmshaw and wing Luke Taylor all scored doubles.

The hosts kept going, though, and Riley scored his second to secure a bonus point for Clark's men.

Aberdeenshire ran in two late tries as they reached the 80-point mark.

Preston Lodge will hope to put things right as they face promoted West of Scotland at Burnbrae on Saturday.

Preston Lodge: P Glynn, E Higgins, E Runciman, B Robertson, N Ross, R Griffin, D Gordon; CD Lyall, T Johnson, C Blaikie, S MacColl, J Sked, C Dixon, P Johnstone, J Riley