Goodie for Forfarshire as Graeme Garden steers them into top flight at the expense of Heriot's

Published on Saturday 12 September 2009 22:41

FORFARSHIRE were last night celebrating their return to the top flight of the SNCL after knocking Heriot's out of it for the first time. In sunny conditions the Broughty Ferry club prevailed in the play-off by 14 runs in an entertaining game at Lochlands, Arbroath.

Graeme Garden gave Forfarshire the start they needed with a solid 71 while Craig Wallace chipped-in with 39. Skipper Ryan Watson added the late momentum with a hard-hitting 60 as the Forthill side posted a challenging 258-5.

Heriot's suffered an early blow when skipper Steve Knox departed cheaply but Gavin McIntyre provided the backbone of their innings with a battling 83.

However, the Goldenacre side were always a little off the pace and they eventually had to settle for 244-9 with Graham Black claiming four wickets.

Heriot's now slip out of the premier division for the first time since the inception of the national league a decade ago.

Elsewhere, Penicuik clung on to their first division status in their play-off clash with second division runners-up Dumfries at New Williamfield. Penicuik restricted Dumfries to just 152-7, with John Hutton claiming three wickets, then raced to their target with seven wickets and more than 16 overs to spare, Anjum Aslam top-scoring with 39.

Western Union champions Kelburne returned to the SNCL with a victory over East League winners Fauldhouse.