Champions answer the doubters

RICHIE Berrington stroked a magnificent unbeaten century as Clydesdale launched the defence of their Western Premier title in style with victory over East Kilbride yesterday.

Dale’s ability to win the league for a third consecutive year has been questioned during a turbulent close season in which several key performers left, including skipper Majid Haq.

However, yesterday’s dominant display at Titwood may silence some of the sceptics – not that there has ever been any doubt over the class of Berrington. In fact, East Kilbride’s attack had already been blunted by the time he walked to the middle with the total on 131-2, with Mo Awais in full flow on his way to 84 from only 64 deliveries.

That effort, though, was to be eclipsed as Berrington eased to a half-century before moving through the gears to reach three figures from 84 balls with one of his many boundaries. He went on to finish unbeaten on 139, having faced just 98 balls, hitting 20 boundaries and three maximums as Dale powered their way to 339-6.

All the visiting bowlers suffered, but former Scotland leg-spinner Moneeb Iqbal claimed three wickets.

East Kilbride’s replay was marked by the loss of wickets at regular intervals. Aliyan Qureshi marked his debut with two early ones while Berrington removed Iqbal before Con de Lange’s three quick-fire strikes left the visitors on just 88-7. They were eventually all out for 140, De Lange ending with four wickets and Qureshi three.

Poloc showed why they are strongly fancied to challenge during their first season in the top flight by beating Ferguslie at Shawholm. Owais Shah’s 65 helped the newcomers to a challenging 235-8 before Ferguslie appeared to be cruising at 101-1. However, the home bowlers stuck to their task to dismiss the Paisley side for 203, Michael English top-scoring with 47.

Fellow new boys Greenock who went down by 61 runs to Uddingston in a rain-affected tussle at Glenpark.

Eastern Premier champions Carlton were on the receiving end of a shock on the opening day of their title defence as Glenrothes ran out winners at Gilvenbank. Electing to bat first, the underdogs took charge with a brilliant stand of 167 from Fred Culley and Aidan Justus. Culley was eventually out for 91, while Justus fell for 46 shortly after. Their departures saw the hosts slump to 249-9 but it proved enough.

Aberdeenshire provided the standout run-chase of the day in an astonishing clash with Forfarshire at Forthill. The home side looked unassailable after posting 340 but Chris Venske’s hardhitting 98 set the tone for the Dons reply, who eventually cruised home with five wickets to spare.

Mark Watt hit a superb 108 in a Heriot’s total of 247-8 against Grange but it proved insufficient as the hosts eased to victory, while Watsonians were too strong for SMRH, winning by 121 runs and Arbroath had a four-wicket success against Falkland at Lochlands.