Bannockburn 46 Rosyth Sharks 7, Caledonia Midlands Region League, Division Three

ROSYTH SHARKS saw their new season begin in disappointing fashion as they fell to defeat at Bannockburn on Saturday.

The Harley Street outfit were in optimistic mood ahead of their Caledonia Midlands Region League, Division Three opener, with coach Mark Love setting his sights on a top three finish in the table after a positive pre-season, but they couldn't start with a victory as they fell to defeat at Bluebellwood Park.

The home side ran in seven tries as they picked up a full five-point haul, including a try-scoring bonus point, with Sharks still to get off the mark.

They will aim to do so this Saturday, when they entertain Crieff and Strathearn, who themselves picked up a bonus point victory with a 39-24 win over Strathmore 2nd XV.

Love will be hopeful that the number of players available to pick from for that game will continue to be as strong as they were last season, which followed on from a campaign where they saw fixtures cancelled due to struggling to raise a team.

Speaking to Press Sport ahead of the Bannockburn game, he commented: "We did well last season. We fulfilled every fixture, there wasn't any reason for us not to fulfil the fixture due to player numbers, and I think the least we put out, as much as you're allowed 22, the least we put out was 19.

"Considering the season before we were putting out 11, 12, and playing under the Game On principles (where matches can take place if each team has a minimum of 10 players), or having to cancel fixtures because we couldn't get a full team, it was all good positives the way the season went.

"In terms of player availability for the games, hopefully that continues. If we have those numbers, then I think the targets I've set the guys should be achievable."

Saturday's game at Harley Street begins at 3pm.