Kirkcaldy welcomed the National 3 league leaders to Beveridge Park for this National League Cup pool match. Both clubs were looking for bragging rights while the Blues sought revenge after the Cupar side's narrow win in the cup 11 months ago.

Fin Smith kicked a penalty to open the scoring after seven minutes but Howe immediately responded with a converted try out wide for 3-7 lead. Kirkcaldy kept up their forward momentum and soon a break by Conar Littlejohn down the standside touchline took the Blues to 10m out. The forwards did the rest with Rhys Bonner scoring next to the posts to retake the lead, 10-7.

Play was mostly in the visitors half as Kirkcaldy kept up the pressure however they couldn't convert their chances in the opposition 22. Howe survived and went on the attack, ending up just short of the try line before possession was turned over and cleared. Kirkcaldy regained the ball which allowed Robbie Penman to make a fantastic break from halfway to score the second try, 17-7.

In the final play of the half the forwards took the ball up to the line before it went out wide to Littlejohn, who split the defence and ran in to touch down near the posts. Smith added the conversion, extending the advantage to 24-7 at half-time.

Kirkcaldy continued where they left off in the second half, adding to their lead with another Smith penalty five minutes in. Howe held firm against continued pressure though and cleared their lines before it was the home side's turn to defend. Some last ditch tackles out wide saw the visitors held up on the try line and then also forced into touch in separate attacks.

Eventually Kirkcaldy secured the bonus point try after 70 minutes. Avi Nailatica beat his man out wide and was tackled just short of the line, however Ethan Murray was on hand to grab the ball and dive over for his first try for the Blues, 32-7.

Howe soon went up the other end to add some respectability to the scoreline with their second converted try. Then, after a Kirkcaldy knock-on and a penalty for obstruction at a kick allowed them to gain territory, the visitors got their third try.

Kirkcaldy now await the result of Howe of Fife v Falkirk on 22nd March to learn if they will play in the quarter-final tie at home to Berwick a week later, with Falkirk needing a four try win by at least 14 points to top the group.