Lost toss no hindrance for captain Carruthers as Ferguslie grab sensational win at Dumfries

Glenrothes may not be featuring directly in the race for the title, but head-to-head contenders Arbroath and Grange are all too aware that the Fifers will have a big say in who will be crowned champions.

Grange burst the competition wide open by comprehensively beating the pacesetting Lochlands brigade at Raeburn Place. And by a quirk of fixture-list fate, both sides will square up to Glens during the climax to the campaign.

Grange player-coach John Blain said: “We are delighted about where we are at this stage, but while we will obviously be keeping our eyes on Arbroath, we will also be sure to watch the blindside in terms of Glenrothes. They are a well-balanced team who have performed well over the past couple of years.”

On the victory over Arbroath, Blain added: “It was a dominant performance which I would also describe as a class above. We haven’t produced displays like that often enough this season and that is why we are not at the top of the table.

“There is still a lot of cricket to be played before the destiny of the title is decided. That is a healthy situation for a league in which every team are capable of beating any of the others on the day.”

Arbroath had taken a gamble by opting to bat first in tricky conditions and the punt ultimately failed to pay off. At 57 for one, they looked set to post a challenging target, only for wickets to fall in a flurry – leading to an all-out total of just 113.

Fraser Burnett was the only batsman to pass the 30 mark, while Tom Foulds grabbed four cheap wickets.

The chase proved easy for the hosts, who completed the triumph with only two casualties, skipper Preston Mommsen ending on 38 not out.

Arbroath captain Marc Petrie said: “There is no sense ofpanicinourcamp–weknow if we win our last two matches we will be champions.

“We knew the run-in would not be easy, given the quality of our opponents, and it will go down to the wire. We are aware that we have to raise our level in every department. Grange were by far the better team on the day and thoroughly deserved their win. But I have enormous confidence in my guys and their ability to lift things when it matters.”

Glenrothes skipper Safyaan Sharif believes Arbroath are still favourites – but only just.

After leading his side to success against Watsonians to virtually make sure of a topfour finish, he said: “They have their noses in front – but anything could happen.”

On Glens’ win, he added: “It was an excellent result, but we are still frustrated about losing several matches we should have won earlier in the season. If that hadn’t happened, we’d have been right up there fighting for the championship.

Sharif ’s five-wicket haul was the highlight of the 14-run victory at Gilvenbank.

Falkland saw their last hope of dodging the drop vanish as they crashed at the hands of Heriot’s at Goldenacre, where home seamer Adrian Neill took five for 24. The shaky sequences of Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire continued when they were outgunned at Carlton and SMRH respectively. Jamey Carruthers, the Ferguslie captain, admitted losing the toss may have been a blessing in disguise after his side came back from the dead to secure a sensational win at Dumfries.

The Paisley team’s title dream appeared to be in tatters after they collapsed to 65 all out, having been sent in to bat. But, inspired by a four-wicket haul from Riyaad Henry, Ferguslie stormed back to dismiss Dumfries for just 57 and keep the pressure on leaders Prestwick.

Carruthers said: “Neither skipper knew what to do at the toss so I wasn’t too fussed to lose it. Dumfries bowled well early on and that, combined with some poor batting, left us facing defeat at halftime. But when we reduced Dumfries to 11-4 with two early wickets for myself and Riyaad I think we started to believe we could win.” Henry went on to claim 4-13 while Greg Cameron matched Carruthers with a brace and Michael English, who had top-scored for his team with 27, completed the comeback with two brilliant run-outs – one of them to remove Josh Forsyth who was the game’s top scorer with 30. Neil Alexander was the home team’s bowling star with 5-22.

Carruthers added: “It’s a huge result to keep us in the hunt, but we know Prestwick need to lose.”

Prestwick, though, showed little sign of weakness during a 49-run success against Greenock at the Henry Thow Oval. Fraser Macdonald hit 71 and Tom Fleet 56 as Prestwick posted 242-8 before spinner Mitchell Rao claimed 5-24 as Greenock were dismissed for 193, despite the efforts of Jonathan Hempsey who made 56.

The only disappointing note for the Ayrshire side was the news that Dumfries had failed in their modest run-chase, meaning the title race goes on for at least another week. Prestwick’s coaching consultant Andy Tennant said: “It would have been nice if Dumfries had won but we must just keep taking care of our own business.” Uddingston remain third after a 31-run win at Kelburne, a result which condemns the Paisley side to the drop. Ross Lyons, pictured, top-scored with 42 in the Bothwell side’s 138 while Ross Maclean’s five wickets kept Kelburne in contention. However, bowlers remained on top in the second half, Kelburne sliding to 107 all out despite Bradley Joynt’s 30.

East Kilbride, whose home fixture with Poloc was abandoned, may now need to win their remaining two games and hope Greenock lose theirs to avoid the drop.

The clash between Clydesdale and Ayr at Titwood went in favour of the home side, Paddy Barbour’s 79no helping Dale to a nine-wicket win.