DUNFERMLINE Rugby Club's senior men's second XV suffered their third loss of the season against an impressive Stirling County third XV at McKane Park.

The visitors claimed a 61-12 success, which saw the Blues lose their third match from six matches, and saw them leapfrogged in the Caledonia Midlands Region League, Division Three, standings.

Dunfermline are fourth, while County, who have won all four of the games they've played so far, are third, just behind second-top Rosyth Sharks, and early leaders, Kirkcaldy second XV.

Gavin Emerson, head coach of the senior men's first XV, said: "The second XV unfortunately couldn't get the job done against Stirling County third XV .

"We just a lot of young players, I've been told that wanted to run with the ball. We had a couple of older heads out and stuff but, looking at Stirling County and what they have at the moment, their third XV is going to be a good third XV.

"It was 61-12, they got a beat but, again, we fielded a team. There's not been a weekend where we haven't fielded a team, they're still sitting middle table, so that's looking good.

"It's scratching that itch for those boys that want to push for the first XV, and those that want to just turn up and play some casual social rugby and have fun, which is great that we're able to offer that for everyone.

"I think everyone can get what they want from something on a Saturday with the rugby ball in their hand, which is what we want to do at Dunfermline.

"Even just with this positivity and fun rugby that's coming out, we're getting early availabilities off players already, so we're able to plan our squads earlier in the week, which helps us factor in what we need to cover in training and who with."

On Saturday, the team travel to Waid Academy, where kick-off is at 3pm.