Title contenders to do battle

Eastern Premier League frontrunners Arbroath and Grange maintained their unbeaten records to set themselves up for an intriguing head-to-head on Saturday – which could be seen as an early indicator of where the title may end up.

Stand-in skipper Ross McLean emerged as the main man as Arbroath squeezed out Watsonians to earn revenge for their Cup defeat.

McLean hit a solid 90 to lay the foundations of their 241 for seven. Then his frugal display of spin bowling pegged back the capital brigade just as George Munsey threatened to snatch the glory.

Arbroath batsman Fraser Burnett said: “It was a great result for us. Overall, it was a solid performance and we are now looking forward to the challenge of Grange, which should be a cracker.”

McLean and Co made sure of the 10-run win after Munsey perished at the hands of Brendon Ford for 93.

Forfarshire picked up their first league win of the season at the expense of Glenrothes in another rain-affected fixture at Gilvenbank.

Captain Safyaan Shariff struck 69 to guide Glens to 202 for seven, Umair Mohammed snapping up four of their scalps. Forfs lost wickets on a regular basis, but they dug deep to pass the amended target.

Aberdeenshire may have halted the rot to kick-start their league campaign.

The Mannofield men battled their was to home-turf success in weatherblighted tussle with basement boys Falkland.

It was former Shire pro Harsha Cooray who threatened to hog the limelight after the Fifers surprisingly opted to bat first. His dogged 84 enabled them to reach 175 for nine in their 50 overs.

The hosts were then challenged to pass the revised target off 142, which they did with six wickets down. Calum Martin held his nerve to steer shire past the winning post with 20 not out.