Lichties urged to forget opening day humbling

Arbroath skipper Marc Petrie has challenged his troops to put their opening-day horror show behind them and bounce back strongly in today’s Tayside derby against Forfarshire at Lochlands.

The contrasting fortunes last weekend could not have been more stark.

As Petrie and Co were being humbled at home by RH Corstorphine, the Broughty Ferry boys were claiming the scalp of champions Grange on their own patch.

Petrie said: “Our performance was very poor, though credit should go to RHC, whose bowling was excellent.

“Majid Haq has got his team well drilled and playing without fear. We must be much better in every discipline of the game.

“It’s time for players to take more responsibility for their performances and standing up when it matters most. “

The spotlight is sure to be on Matty Parker, who makes his return for Arbroath after several years with Shire.

Shire batsman Chris Greaves said: “The Arbroath derby is always a highlight of the season and our aim is to make winning a healthy habit.”

To add to the woes of Grange, they could be without former skipper Andrew Brock for the entire summer.

Brock pulled up with a serious looking knee injury while fielding in the later stages of the Forfarshire encounter at Raeburn Place.

Grange head north to face Aberdeenshire today, champing at the bit to launch their campaign properly after last weekend’s tussle with Stew-Mel lasted a single over before the rain came.

RHC will be aiming to keep up the momentum at home to Heriot’s, fresh from battling their way to an unlikely win at the expense of Watsonians, who visit Stoneywood-Dyce.

SD earned a huge confidence boost by edging out Carlton, who stay on home territory to take on Stew-Mel. China’s Wu Ashun claimed the halfway lead in the Volvo China Open yesterday as teenage amateur Kuang Yang became the second-youngest player to make the cut in a European Tour event.

Wu added a second round of 65 to his opening 66 at Genzon Golf Club to finish 13 under par, two shots ahead of Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, who returned a 68 yesterday.

The halfway cut fell at two under par and Kuang made it right on the mark after saving par from 12 feet on the 18th to card a second consecutive 71.

At 14 years, six months and 12 days old, Kuang narrowly missed out on being the youngest player to make the cut in a European Tour event, Guan Tianlang playing all four rounds at the 2013 Masters despite being penalised for slow play at Augusta National.

“I’m really happy, it’s amazing,” Kuang said.

“I was really nervous on 18 as it is a long putt for me but it went in and I’m so happy. There are not enough words