Hepburn stays positive as first win of season gives Falkland relegation lifeline

Falkland skipper Ryan Hepburn hailed the team spirit of his basement boys and refused to rule out a dramatic escape from relegation.

The Fifers grabbed a lifeline by claiming the scalp of Aberdeenshire at Scroggie Park – their first triumph of a troubled season. Now Hepburn has called on his charges to use the success as inspiration in the build-up to the last three weekends of the campaign.

He declared: “We face Heriot’s next and another result like that would definitely keep alive our hopes of staying in the top flight.

“The win was a long time coming and it felt really good after what happened during the previous three months.

“We can credit the outcome to a solid team performance in tricky conditions.

“The stand-out players were Harsha Cooray, who batted superbly against his old team, and Aaron Paul, whose four wickets took his season’s tally to 28.

“We will dwell on the positives and keep on battling.”

Hepburn himself struck the most telling blow, dismissing opposing captain and top bats- man Chris Venske for 32.

Falkland’s relegation rivals SMRH were crushed at Raeburn Place by Grange, who closed the gap between them and pacesetters Arbroath, whose tussle with Watsonians was abandoned due to rain. SMRH’S decision to take first knock backfired as they were skittled for just 71. Skipper Preston Mommsen, pictured, struck 38 not out to guide his side across the line with only one wicket down.

Heriot’s consolidated third place with a convincing 25-run win against champions Carlton in a 25-over affair at Goldenacre.