Aberdeenshire celebrate back-to-back home wins but know Grange will be tough test

Aberdeenshire coach David Cox looked back on his side’s second home-turf success on the trot in the Eastern Premier and admitted he can’t wait to send them into battle against his old Grange chums.

In a weather-affected encounter, Cox and Co slapped down the challenge of newly promoted SMRH.

But the ex-scotland seamer was quick to stress that his charges will have to raise their game to have any chance of taking the scalp of his old club.

He said: “The recent wins we have had have been against teams from the lower end of the league.

“I reckon we will need one more success to counter the threat of relegation – however we know that Grange will provide a much tougher test.”

Shire made 149 for nine in their 35 overs, James Musgrave top-scoring with 34 – then dismissed SMRH for 135, thanks mainly to a fine spell of bowling from Connor Shorten (three for 10 from five overs).

Watsonians claimed a crucial win over Glenrothes with the Chalmers clan to the fore as Watsons made 257 for six – Ewan, pictured, hitting 72 and Andrew 46 in a stand of 128.

Glens, without inspirational captain Safyaan Sharif, crumbled to 104 all out with former international seamer Dewald Nel bagging three for 30.

In the only other game to beat the elements, the Forfarshire revival was stepped up at the expense of understrength champions Carlton at Forthill. In awkward conditions, the hosts grafted their way to 179 for six in 39 overs. Matty Parker led the way with 35 before they routed the capital brigade for only 126. Skipper Umair Mohammed was the pick of the attack with three for 24.

In the Western Premier, Ayr announced themselves as potential title contenders with a thumping ten wicket win over champions Clydesdale on Saturday.

Skipper Andi Mcelnea and his younger brother Scott claimed four wickets apiece to set up the victory as an understrength Titwood side were bundled out for just 115. Dale survived for just 36.4 overs in a match reduced to 43 overs as the Mcelneas went to work.

There was also a wicket for Neil Smith, who removed the visitors’ top scorer, Sheryar Awan, who battled hard for his 35, while a run-out completed a miserable day for Dale.

In the end Scott claimed 4-27 from his seven overs while Andi boasted 4-20 from eight.

Michael Papps, the former New Zealand Test batsman, and Smith made light work of the chase, reaching the target in 28.2 overs. Papps led the way with a cultured 75no and Smith also improved his average with an unbeaten 35.

Ayr’s victory was enough to see them leapfrog neighbours Prestwick to go third top, while in the only other match to survive, Uddingston consolidated second place with a victory at Bothwell Castle that left Kelburne winless and rooted to the bottom of the table.

Uddingston posted 152 for eight from their 36 overs and it proved enough as Kelburne made just 99.

The matches at Ferguslie, Greenock and Poloc were abandoned.