STRATHMORE

Strathmore and Perthshire Union north-east championship leaders Stoneywood Dyce’s 100% record was brought to an end on Saturday when they lost by 37 runs away to Perth.

Perth batted first and although the first wicket fell cheaply, Emeul Knoesen (59) and Curtis Taylor (41) steered the home side into a useful position but, on 181 for nine after 45 overs, but the total looked catchable.

The first three Stoneywood-Dyce batsmen put on 60 runs, Liam Lindsay with 32, but after that Knoesen, with four for 25 and Ivor Patterson’s three for 44 ensured that the points were staying at Doo’cot Park.

Second spot in the table was also up for grabs but it was Gordonians who widened the gap over Meigle with a 24-run win in a low-scoring match.

Visitors Gordonians batted first and looked to be in trouble at 119 for seven until Aman Bhandari added 35 to Debo Barman’s 34 to post a total of 144.

Meigle could have expected to pass that without too much bother but were in real trouble at 46 for six and could only scratch up 123 all out leaving Gordonians to open a gap between themselves in second and Meigle in third.

It was another gloomy afternoon for Kinloch, who hosted Mannofield.

The Aberdeen team batted first and reached 223 all out in 40 overs with the home side finding themselves all back in the pavilion for 151, a result which sees Mannofield move into the top half of the table.