Forfarshire prove too strong for Falkland

Rory Johnston and Chris Greaves emerged as the Forfarshire stars as they snuffed out the challenge of basement boys Falkland to step up their league revival.

Johnston struck a superb 74 while player-coach Graves hit 58 at Forthill to propel the hosts to 218 for four.

Falkland were never in the hunt and, despite a half-century by Harsha Coorey, they slid to 140 all out.

A much depleted Arbroath lineup plunged to defeat at the hands of Glenrothes in the other transTay tussle at Gilvenbank.

Stand-in Lichties skipper Calvin Burnett refused to use the side’s lack of experience as an excuse, but said: “We must use this result as a learning experience.

“Conditions were very difficult and we were up against a team featuring three overseas players.”

Arbroath were shot out for just 112, with Burnett top scoring with 35. Brendon Ford (20) was the only other batsmen to offer much resistance.

Glenrothes also struggled on the surface and lost six wickets in their pursuit but Ben Wilkinson (44) and Amir Shahzad (25) tilted fortunes in their favour when it mattered most.

Elsewhere, Aberdeenshire skipper Chris Venske admitted to experiencing a cocktail of emotions in the wake of his side’s drama-packed tie with Grange.

It was a case of “what might have been” for him – both in a positive and negative sense.

Century-maker Venske said: “We could easily have lost it – but maybe we should have won it!”

In the tense finale, Grange needed five from the last over with young Connor Shorten being entrusted to bowl.

He held his nerve in a manner that impressed Venske, who added: “The grit and determination shown by the lads in the closing stages made me a happy captain.

“Connor’s feat in restricting them to four runs in these six balls was special.”

On his own knock of 110, he said: “I was pleased with my knock – but I got out at the worst time.”