Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
ROUND-UP Heartache as Arbroath lose on the last day
ARBROATH’S CSL Eastern Premier Division cricket title challenge ended in heartache.
The Red Lichties fell on the final day of the season for the second time in three years.
Leading nearest challengers Heriot’s going into the final day, Arbroath suffered a disappointing eight-wicket loss at Carlton after a poor batting display, while Heriot’s made light work of Aberdeenshire to win the crown.
Only three players got into double figures for Arbroath as they could post only 120-9 in a game reduced to 35 overs a side.
When Carlton batted, Ryan McCann showed composure to reach 60 not out as Carlton easily reached their target with eight wickets to spare.
South African Hayes van der Berg made a brilliant 102 for Heriot’s and was assisted by a quickfire 69 from Marc Watt to see the Edinburgh side reach 217-8 at tea at Goldenacre against Aberdeenshire.
When the Dons batted, only Chris Venske looked capable of leading his side to a shock winbut, when he was dismissed for 84, the batting crumbled and they ended on 172 with Watt completing a fine day’s work by capturing three wickets.
At Mckay’s Forthill, 17-yearold Callum Garden scored his first league century as Forfarshire hammered SMRH by 180 runs.
Callum batted through the whole innings to reach 101 not out and, with Chris Greaves (71) and Craig Wallace (41) also chipping in, Forfarshire posted an impressive 289-5 from their 50 overs.
This total was always going to be enough and so it proved as SMRH were shot out for only 109 with Matt Walters taking 4-22 and Brock Ditchman claiming a five- wicket haul.
The other game to finish in the division saw Falkland’s miserable season come to an end with another heavy defeat against Watsonians.
Hasha Coorey top scored with 41 in the Fifers total of 113 with Andy McKay, Dewald Nel and Tom Cullen all taking three wickets each.
Watsonians made light work of the chase and romped home in only 17 overs to win by eight wickets.
The Glenrothes-Grange fixture fell victim to the weather.
In the Western Premier Division, only one game went ahead as Dumfries defeated Poloc by three wickets.
Chasing Poloc’s 170, veteran Chris Bellwood scored a patient 40 to see his side home.
With all the other games being called off, this meant Prestwick were crowned champions with Ferguslie claiming the runners-up spot.
Only one game went ahead in the Western Championship with bottom club St Michael’s slumping to 41 all out against Stenhousemuir who eased home by eight wickets.
Yesterday’s Murgitroyd 20/20 finals day was also called off after the heavy rain on the west coast and a new date has yet to be set.
IN the Strathmore and Perthshire Union Divison Two Central, Meigle 2nd XI beat Montrose by 77 runs. Scores — Meigle 2nd XI 233-1 (W Sutherland 139 not out, R McDonald 37 not out, F Barron 33); Montrose 156 (Uday Reddy 4-19). At Victory Park, Meigle.
ENGLAND are again looking to captain Joe Root for inspiration as they hope to take a finely-balanced Headingley Test away from the West Indies on day four.
The hosts resumed today y with the slenderest of two-run leads leaning heavily on Root, who reached 45 not out on the third evening.
However, the West Indies have plans of their own, which involve keeping their chase to 150 or fewer then wrapping up a first Test win on these shores in 17 years.