Carlton see their final hopes of title defence washed away

Published on 26/08/2012 04:23

CARLTON were in despair last night after their lingering hopes of landing the Eastern Premiership crown were washed away in the latest deluge.

The reigning SNCL champions had been on course to snuff out the challenge of basement boys Forfarshire when the elements intervened yet again in what has been the soggiest season in living memory.

The abandonment of their home encounter with the Broughty Ferry side has left Watsonians and Grange to battle for the crown.

Having skittled Shire for just 80, Carlton had raced to 53 without loss in the eighth over – but they couldn’t win the race against the climate.

Earlier, Scotland pair Preston Mommsen and Gordon Drummond shared seven wickets at a total cost of 16 runs to demolish Forfarshire.

Ironically, Carlton can still have a big say in the destiny of the silverware because they square up to Grange in the final round of fixtures next weekend.

For their part, Grange earned a major confidence boost by dodging the downpour to beat neighbours Heriot’s.

Neil McCallum shone in the gloom with 54 as they posted 139 for six in 30 overs – and he followed up with four cheap wickets to peg Heriot’s to 76 for seven in 20 overs – 21 short of the amended target.

It was another tale of weather woe at Myreside, where the Watsonians versus Arbroath joust was halted.

Forfarshire’s lack of action, coupled with the cancellation of the Granite City derby at People’s Park, means that Aberdeenshire survive in the top flight.

Watsonians now turn their attention to today’s delayed Scottish Cup semi-final against Stenhousemuir in the capital.

It was the same miserable story in the west, where Dumfries, West of Scotland and Clydesdale remain in title contention. To make the situation even more exciting, the first two go into head-to-head confrontation next weekend, while Dale take on struggling Greenock.

In the First Division, SMRH are assured of promotion to the top flight in the east, with Renfrew a fingertip away from triumphing in the west.