Relieved Heriot’s survive scare

Heriot’s skipper Keith Mort o n c o u l d n ’ t d i s g u i s e h i s relief after his side shook off the jitters to launch their title def e nce wi t h a v i c t or y ove r newly promoted RHC Lions.

Morton had viewed the north Edinburgh derby at Goldenacre as a potential banana skin and, for parts of the encounter, his fears looked like coming true.

H e s a i d : “R H C c e r t a i n l y raced out of the blocks and had us in real trouble at 11 for three.

“B u t t h a n k f u l l y M i c h a e l Shean and Peter Ross steadied the ship.

“T h e y s h owe d t h e k i n d o f character that took us to the title last summer by mounting a century partnership, which set the game up for our bowlers to finish the job.”

I n t he wake of t heir i niti al pr o b l e ms, Heri o t ’s r e a c he d 185 for nine, Shean hitting 92 and Ross 35.

Captain Joe Kinghorn- Gray was t h e p i c k o f t h e v i s i t i ng attack with four for 46.

Shean followed up with three cheap wickets, while new signing Elliot Ruthann also struck three times to send the Lions hurtling to 90 all out.

Sparkling knocks of 78 not out by Preston Mommsen and 51 from pinch- hitting opener Gordon Goudie paved the way for Grange to clinch a 71- run triumph over Aberdeenshire at Raeburn Place.

Their effor ts propelled the capit al outfi t t o 264 f or f ive b e f o r e t h e y b owl e d o u t t h e Mannofield men for 193 with veteran Neil Mccallum taking four for 43.

New Sri Lankan pro Shanuk a Vi t h a n awa s a m h i t 5 1 t o g u i d e Ar b ro a t h t o 2 2 2 f o r seven before taking five wickets as they skittled Stewart’s Melville for 91.

Craig Wallace thumped 85 and Scott Cameron 59 not out to fire Forfarshire to a five - wicket victor y over Watsonians at Broughty Ferry. Forfarshire skipper Umair Mohammed said: “It was impor tant to start with a win, especially with everyone contributing.”

The Glenrothes v Carlton showdown was rained off.