Howe of Fife 7 - 75 Currie: Howe find Currie too hot to handle

CURRIE duly took their place in today's Scottish Hydro Premier Cup semi final draw after a clinical display that followed the script of prospective winners versus plucky minnows.

Howe emerged with immense credit after a performance brimming with character and gutsy defence but ultimately they were powerless against a side that ended the day with a tally of 13 tries.

The hosts could point to several fine individual performances but never looked capable of adding Currie to their list of higher division scalps.

The magnitude of the task facing the home side was evident from the start as Currie's pack shunted them back to claim a strike against the head at an early scrum. And the visitors' superiority in that department was at the root of the opening score, as Ross Weston plunged over for the opening touchdown.

Howe's withstood a further spell of sustained pressure before Currie offered a glimpse of their searing pace behind when Andy MacMahon sent Dougie Fife in at the corner.

Howe have earned a reputation for enterprising rugby on their rise through the leagues and, once they had come to terms with the pace of the game, showed glimpses of their handling skills. However, 20 minutes had gone before they paid a fruitless first visit to the opposition 22.

Currie responded with another surge that yielded a penalty try and they had the game won by the break after Fife darted in a second time.

MacMahon struck within a minute of the restart before Howe had the sizeable home support on its feet when Chris Mason forced his way over and Fraser Clark converted.

Two tries by Mark Cairns either side of one by Johnny Smith took the score to 46-7 entering the final quarter.

A spent home defence leaked further scores to Matt Scott, MacMahon, Smith, Willie Moala and Ryan Wilson, as Currie displayed their ruthless streak, although the hosts ended their day in the sun with a final defiant flurry that failed narrowly to produce further points.