Kiwis propel Dons to top

Published on Saturday 8 August 2009 23:31

ABERDEENSHIRE claimed pole position last night in a fascinating race for the SNCL premier division title.

On a day when Ayr were finally relegated after defeat at Clydesdale, the Dons held their nerve to record a thrilling two-wicket victory over Grange with one ball to spare.

Batting first in bright Mannofield sunshine, Grange had looked set for a total approaching 300, only to lose their way and settle for 224-7. Shire's fightback in the field appeared to galvanise the home batsmen for whom Kiwi duo Brad Rodden and Todd Astle led the way with an opening partnership of 88.

Astle went on to top-score with 64 while Colin Smith contributed a vital 42. However, when Smith and Neil MacRae both succumbed to the occasional spin of Cammy Coles and Giles Holmes picked up two wickets in as many balls, Aberdeenshire looked in trouble on 184-8. Kenny Reid (38no) and former Scotland bowler Kevin Thomson, though, dug deep to add the 41 runs needed for victory with Thomson hitting the winning single from the penultimate delivery.

Earlier Grange came flying out the blocks in a manner which suggested they might be on course for a score approaching 300. Ollie Hairs, the prodigiously talented Scotland U19 batsman, led the way with a flurry of boundaries which must have impressed his skipper Sanjay Patel at the other end.

The pair put on 56 in rapid time as Dons bowlers Chris West and Tyler Buchan were shown little respect. However, the introduction of Astle brought immediate reward with Hairs, having reached 28, adjudged lbw as he plunged forward and missed an attempted sweep. Coles helped Patel add a further 62 as Grange continued to make good progress.

Coles eventually holed out for 35 to present Richie Lamb with a wicket but Patel, growing in confidence, and Holmes embarked on the biggest partnership of the innings, posting 86 for the third wicket. Patel reached his half-century with one of his eight boundaries and looked well set for a century.

But having reached 89 he miscued a delivery from Neil MacRae and saw his skied effort easily pouched by Colin Smith at cover. Patel's dismissal saw Grange lose their way as the Shire batsmen fought back well.

The visitors added just 50 in the final ten overs for the loss of five wickets while Buchan finished as the top bowler with 2-34.

Meanwhile, the writing was on the wall for Ayr when they conceded 320-4 against Clydesdale at Titwood.

The Alloway team earned themselves a stay of execution with victory over Greenock last week but they were unable to capitalise as Clydesdale warmed-up for today's Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeenshire with their best batting display of the season.

Kamran Sajid, their Pakistani professional, top-scored with 106no while Greig Williamson and Omer Hussain contributed half-centuries. New Zealander Michael Papps offered solitary resistance with 71 as Ayr were consigned to the drop.

Greenock enhanced their survival prospects while virtually ending West of Scotland's title hopes with an easy win in a rain-affected clash at Glenpark. Richie Berrington top-scored with 79 in the home team's 209-6 before West stuttered to 111 all out with Berrington completing a fine all-round show with four wickets.

Elsewhere, Heriot's slipped further into relegation trouble after a comprehensive derby defeat against Watsonians at Goldenacre. Only the ever-reliable Steve Knox showed any form with the bat for the home side, digging in for 38 but three wickets apiece for Mike Legget and Raj Routray saw the home side dismissed for 132.

Aussie Andy Delmont spearheaded the run-chase with an undefeated 53 as Sonians clinched an eight-wicket win with more than half their overs to spare.

Fraser Watts stroked 116 and Ally Evans claimed 5-41 as Carlton overwhelmed Uddingston at Grange Loan.

Meanwhile Falkland stepped-up their charge to the second division title with a crushing win over SMRH at Inverleith. The Fifers dismissed their rivals for just 75 with Apu Singh and Ryan Hepburn both claiming three cheap wickets. Bav Thakkar then smashed a quickfire 32no as Falkland raced to their target inside 16 overs. The win preserves Falkland's unbeaten run and keeps them firmly on course for promotion to division one.