Salmond, 15, steals show with four wickets on debut

The Salmond cricketing dynasty of Arbroath lives on.

And even rivals Forfarshire were delighted at the spectacular emergence of young Daniel Salmond – nephew of former Scotland World Cup skipper George.

The 15-year-old marked his first team debut by grabbing four cheap wickets to pave the way for victory over deposed champions Heriot’s at Lochlands, a result that enabled Shire to leapfrog them to a secondplace finish.

And the even brighter news for Arbroath fans is that there is yet another talented Salmond waiting in the wings to make an impact at the top level.

Daniel’s dad John has also been a club stalwart over the past 25 years.

Proud uncle George said: “I was also 15 when I played in the senior team, but spent a couple of seasons batting at the tail and not bowling, so this is a great achievement by Daniel.

“He and talented younger brother Matthew live and breathe cricket.

“I actually think Daniel is more of a batsman. He is naturally talented and times the ball really well.

“He is very laid back and doesn’t display the same amount of nervous energy as John or me,” added George.

“As a left-hand bat, he takes after his father – but as a quick seamer, he has some of his uncle’s genes…joking!”

With crisis club Glenrothes pulling out of their clash against Forfarshire, a Heriot’s slip up would deny them the runners-up prize.

And they came up against an Arbroath side who produced one of their most powerful performances of a shaky season.

Scotland age-group star Salmond claimed four for 27 to restrict the Goldenacre outfit team to 140 before skipper Marc Petrie guided the hosts towards victory with an enterprising 46.

Newly-crowned champs Grange underlined their strength by hammering Stew-mel at Raeburn Place.

Grange rattled up a lofty 344 for four, with Nick Farrar hitting 120 from 131 balls. Departing star Neil Mccallum hit 46, then struck twice as Stew-mel slid to 154 for nine.

Carlton’s Arun Pillai bagged six for nine in the rout of RHC Lions, who lost their last seven wickets for just 17.

George Munsey claimed four wickets for Watsonians who ended a roller-coaster season with a 37-run win over Aberdeenshire at Myreside.