The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Arbroath turn tide to deny Glenrothes win
EASTERN PREMIERSHIP: Fifers still looking for first league victory
Gilvenbank was the place for cricket fans to be for tension, excitement, passion and drama as Arbroath dug deep to deny Glenrothes their first league win of the summer.
Needing 209, Glens looked good on 88 without loss – only for rookies Shaun Christie and Chris Robb to turn the tide.
First, Craig Ramsay removed Zed Ahmad before Robb grabbed the scalps of pro Ben Wilkinson and Scotland star Saffy Sharif in quick succession – all for the addition of no runs.
Though the Fifers recovered to a degree, Christie made sure of the six-run victory for Arbroath with three wickets.
Arbroath stand-in skipper Ross McLean said: “It was a very close game in challenging conditions.
“We did well to battle to a competitive total on a difficult pitch then the bowlers stuck at their task.
“Chris, Shaun and Calvin Burnett showed good composure at the end when it mattered.
“We have lots to take forward, but also much to work on.”
As expected, Forfarshire were too strong for Stewart’s Melville, routing them for 90 at Forthill and surging to the target in the 14th over.
The combined return of seamers Liam Sweeney and Scott Cameron was seven for 27.
Michael Leask (46 not out) and Craig Wallace (26 not out) finished the job.
Elsewhere Heriot’s came a surprise cropper at the hands of Carlton, while Grange accounted for Watsonians at Myreside to re-establish their lead at the head of the title race.
A marvellous knock of 95 by Dylan Budge paved the way for Grange to reach 260 for seven.
Neil McCallum and Andrew Brock then shared seven wickets to dismiss Sonians for 178.
Mike Carson (80) was the only batsman to offer resistance.
Young Tom Simpson emerged as the star of the Carlton show, hitting 62 not out to steer his side home as they responded to Heriot’s 180 for eight.
RHC took the honours against Aberdeenshire at Barnton.