Another win for Arbroath
LEADERS Arbroath maintained their 100 per cent record with a comprehensive Angus derby win as Forfarshire were left searching for a first Eastern Premier victory of the season.
The Forthill side had home advantage and a further boost with the return of Scotland star Craig Wallace for his first appearance of the campaign. However, the hard-hitting opening batsman was out for a duck, bowled by Brendon Ford.
A partnership between Matty Parker and Callum Garden put them back on track until Garden was out lbw to Craig Ramsay. Parker scored a half-century while Chris Greaves chipped-in with 34 but the arrival of Calvin Burnett into the attack sparked the beginning of the end for the Broughty Ferry side. Burnett claimed 4-25 while Ford returned to pick up four wickets as Forfarshire faded to 176 all out.
In reply Ford continued a personal day to remember, reaching a rapid half-century as Arbroath raced to 60-0 in nine overs. Ford departed soon after and though Forfarshire’s bowlers kept chipping away the visitors eased home by five wickets with five overs to spare.
Grange remain joint top after a comprehensive win over city rivals Watsonians at Portgower Place.
Former Scotland seamer Gordon Goudie turned back the clock with a superb bowling display to claim 5-27 as the visitors were dismissed for 160.
Another ex-Saltire Ryan Flannigan then led the run-chase with an unbeaten 69 to make sure Grange easily reached a revised target after a rain interruption.
Australian Michael Herdman kept up his form with a brilliant century as Carlton dodged the showers to beat Aberdeenshire at Grange Loan.
SMRH hit 274-8 against Falkland at Scroggie Park and it was enough for victory as the Fifers were behind on DLS when rain stopped play.
They persisted late into the evening at Goldenacre where Heriot’s won a last-over thriller against Glenrothes despite a valiant unbeaten 51 from Scotland all-rounder Safyaan Sharif.
Rain was also a factor in the west where Ferguslie beat the weather and East Kilbride at Meikleriggs. Riyaad Henry’s 70 and 44 from Gregor Preston-Jones helped the Paisley side post 237-7. Set a revised target of 242 from 46 overs, East Kilbride were firmly in contention until Henry’s 4-32 proved decisive in a 40-run success.
Kelburne remain without a win after losing by seven wickets at Nunholm. Scott Beveridge claimed five wickets and Niall Alexander four to dismiss the visitors for 156. Josh Forsyth hit 43no and Chris Bellwood 42no to seal a season’s second win for Dumfries.
Gavin Pitt and Sachin Chaudary claimed three wickets each as Prestwick restricted Poloc to 150 before rain saw the target revised and the Ayrshire side scraped to victory by three wickets.
No result was possible at Bothwell Castle Policies where champions Clydesdale were denied the chance to press home an early advantage against leaders Uddingston.