Forfarshire take another step towards title glory

They would never admit it, but Forfarshire’s victory over RH Corstorphine has put them within touching distance of a first top-flight title.

With only four matches left to play – two of them against the lowest ranking sides in the table – the Broughty Ferry brigade sit more than 12 percentage points ahead of champions and chief-chasers Grange. It would now require a dramatic shift for Umair Mohammed’s men to let the title slip from their grasp.

A marvellous century by Craig Wallace and a brisk half-ton from Michael Leask propelled Forfarshire to 219 for seven in their rain-abridged allocation of 39 overs. The capital club – and Majid Haq – refused to buckle without battling hard, but were eventually curbed to 175 for eight. Haq was left stranded on 76 not out.

Forfarshire’s trophyseeking aspirations could be realised in the Granite City over the next fortnight.

Next weekend they square up to Stoneywooddyce at Peoples Park – and then they head back north to face basement boys Aberdeenshire.

Their last two fixtures are against Carlton at home and away to second-bottom Stewart’s Melville.

In the only other contest to stave off the elements, Aberdeenshire’s season was pretty much summed up by the manner of their defeat at the hands of Watsonians at Mannofield.

Having dismissed the Myreside men for only 79, the hosts made steady progress to 47 for two and sensed an opportunity to grab a lifeline against relegation. But the wheels came off in dramatic fashion as they surrendered their last eight wickets in quickfire fashion with the addition of just 22 runs.

Relieved Watsonians wicketkeeper and skipper Andy Hislop said: “It was unbelievable. I don’t remember ever successfully defending a total of less than 80 in a league match.”

The damage was done by Malusi Siboto and Josh Stinson, who bagged nine home scalps between them.