The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Miserable weekend sees Forfarshire bow out of title race
It was a weekend to forget for the topflight outfits from Tayside and Fife in the Eastern Premiership.
Forfarshire’s slim hoped of figuring in the title chase evaporated as they were comprehensively toppled by champions Heriot’s, who are now the only side that can prevent Grange lifting the silverware.
Arbroath slumped to one of their most depressing defeats in recent times as a revitalised Carlton emerged triumphant.
And winless Glenrothes now look destined for the drop following the demolition job by Grange.
Of Heriot’s triumph over the Broughty Ferry boys at Goldenacre, a thrilled skipper Keith Morton said: “It was a huge result for us following our loss to Carlton the previous week.
“With the bat we thought we were few below par but Elliot Ruthven’s opening spell turned the game in our favour and our spinners were as reliable as ever.
“We’re in a great position as a club with all three teams challenging for silverware and we’re all looking forward to the final few weeks of the season and the exciting occasions that lie in store for us.
“I don’t think there’s any pressure on us, it’s just important we continue playing positive cricket and enjoying our days together.”
Chasing a modest 176, Forfs were shot out for only 125, Ruthven accounting for Chris Greaves, Craig Wallace and Michael Leask at the top end.
Arbroath captain Marc Petrie admitted the Lochlands hammering by Carlton was “a bad day at the office which is becoming a bit too common.”
However, he added: “I am backing the lads to make it right and turn things around soon.
“I’m still as proud as ever to lead this team.”
Rory McCann hit 85 to propel the capital outfit to 260 for six.
The writing was on the Arbroath wall when Petrie and Hayden Laing were out before a run was on the board. There was no recovery route and they plunged to 82 all out.
The season will not go down as one of Strathmore’s most successful in the North East Championship.
On Saturday at Lochside Park, however, a squad of former stars pitched up to provide inspiration.
Despite being on the wrong side of the boundary rope, the presence of Alan Guild, Hamish Gow, Scott Cooper, Euan Massie and Neil Prophet among others clearly had a positive effect.
And Strathie made a mockery of the form book by pulling off a tense and dramatic triumph over Meigle – the winning margin being a single run.
It looked like being one-way traffic as the top score among the first five Strathie batsmen was a mere six.
However, Chris “Monk” Milne entered the fray to stem the tide by hitting 67, guiding his team to a tally of 149.
Milne continued the good work with the ball, snapping up three wickets as Meigle fell short by the narrowest possible margin.
Falkland took another giant step towards the title with a convincing 102run success at the expense of a depleted Arbroath at Scroggie Park.
Yet again, pro Harsha Cooray proved to be a hot handful by smashing 103, while skipper Stuart Campbell struck 64 in a total of 280 for six.
Arbroath were all out for 178, veteran Murray Clark bravely resisting with 49 not out.
Stoneywood-Dyce remain hard on the heels of Falkland, thanks to their 25-run victory over Forfarshire at Forthill. Matty Parker (48) and Calum Garden (47) did their best to take the home side to the 204 target.
Elsewhere, Dundee HSFP earned success over Gordonians at Countesswells and Mannofield were too strong for Perth Doocot.