Inspirational Willemse takes Abroath a step closer to glory
L All-rounder is poised for the perfect send-off
If Arbroath go on to lift the Eastern Premiership crown, their squad will point to the performance of Elton Willemse in the derby demolition of Forfarshire as the pivotal moment of the campaign.
With chief chasers Grange and Heriot’s crashing, Willemse and Co would need a calamitous final month to be ousted from top spot.
However, on current evidence, Arbroath would seem poised to give him the perfect send-off as when he retires at the end of August.
Ex-stoneywood-dyce hero Willemse inflicted the first dose of agony on the Broughty Ferry brigade by grabbing five for 11 as they capitulated to 124 all out at Lochlands.
The picture had looked bright for the visitors when they reached 33 without loss, but the wheels were ripped off by Willemse in his devastating ten-over spell.
He then rubbed salt in the Forfarshire wounds by hitting 67 not out to complete the rout.
Skipper Marc Petrie said: “The display just summed up what a great player and person he is. He will be greatly missed, along with Brendon Ford, who will be heading back to Australia. Winning the championship would be a fitting way to end their days here.”
Willemse added: “It was nice to contribute with bat and ball. It was a very important result. We were clinical and didn’t let the Forfarshire guys into the contest.”
Grange’s challenge faltered at the hands of capital rivals Watsonians in a low-scoring and rain affected tussle at Myreside. The visitors fancied their chances after disposing of Sonians for only 97, with Andrew Brock bagging four scalps. But excellent bowling by Andy Mckay (four for 12) and Aman Bailwal (three for 24) saw Grange skittled for 64.
Bailwal reckons the outcome left the way clear for Arbroath to seal the glory.
He said: “As a former Forfarshire man, the position of Arbroath is duly noted! But in all seriousness, they would be deserving champions.”
Aberdeenshire’s wildly inconsistent season reached new low as they were crushed by Carlton at Mannofield.
Some eyebrows had been raised when Shire skipper Chris Venske opted to bat after winning the toss – and found themselves hurtling to a miserable 44 all out.
Venske’s bold decision was, however, backed by Carlton’s ex-scotland World Cup star Fraser Watts. He said: “I wasn’t really surprised when Chris went for the first knock.
“It was a strip that had been used previously and would probably have been even harder to bat on if the match had gone any distance.
“Our seamers made full use of the conditions. They stuck to the basics by putting the ball in the right place and letting it do its own work.”
Venske’s dismissal for nought was a sign of what was to come, with only Ian Kirk (18) able to offer some resistance. Carlton didn’t have it all their own way during the pursuit, losing Watts and two others in quick succession. But they staved off further jitters to get across the line in the 11th over.
Glenrothes’ quest for a topthree finish were boosted by a 50- run success over he riot’ s at Gilvenbank. Mark Watt’s five-for held the Fifers to 174 for nine, with no batsman able to reach 30. Needing a revised 165, Heriot’s were never in the hunt and three wickets for Yasir Arfat propelled Glens to a crucial win.
Neighbours Falkland appear doomed to the drop in the wake of their basement battle loss to SMRH. l Gala were shot out for only 16 by promotion frontrunners RH Corstorphine in the ESCA Championship, with playercoach Majid Haq insisting the tally should have been even lower. He said after the ninewicket rout: “Gala’s top scorer was extras with five, so that was a disappointment.”
Haq picked up six for five, while Joey Kinghorn-gray was relatively expensive with four for ten. RHC completed the rout in just ten deliveries.