Paige bowls over Aberdeenshire to move Watsonians up to second

Published on Monday 7 June 2010 00:41

CAPTAIN Steve Paige led the way with six for 20 as Watsonians moved up to second place in the SNCL Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over Aberdeenshire.

The Myreside men have now won three league matches on the trot and head into this weekend's mouth-watering clash with third placed Carlton in confident mood.

On Saturday they were always in control against last year's champions after pro Michael Parlane was out early for 16, caught behind by Euan Stubbs off the bowling of Mike Legget.

After that the visiting batsmen fell at regular intervals and with the ball swinging about in the capital Paige took full advantage to take his season's tally to 11 wickets.

Paige's haul included the key scalp of opposition skipper Neil Macrae for 19 and Stuart Chalmers continued his fine start to the summer with the wicket of Tyler Buchan. Extras, 22 of them, was Aberdeenshire's highest scorer as they were bundled out for 90.

In reply Watsonians lost four wickets, but Tim Weston scored 23 not out to see them to a six- wicket win.

The victory took them closer to leaders Grange after they suffered their first league loss of 2010 at Clydesdale.

Batting first the hosts, who had lost three in a row before this one, posted 225 for five at Titwood. Pro Kamran Sajid led the way with 61 not out batting No4 while Grange gave away 38 extras to help the hosts past the 200 mark.

In reply, without regular opener Oli Hairs, Grange lost Cammy Coles early on for a duck off the bowling of Sajid. Greig Williamson got the big wicket of Scotland man Neil McCallum and when his international colleague Gregor Maiden was caught by Craig Smith off Shyam Gattani for 14, the hosts could sense they were in the driving seat.

The Glasgow men saw the job through, Grange being all out for 170 to lose by 55 runs.

Carlton are up to third after a solid bowling performance saw them defeat Forfarshire at Forthill.

Not many teams win in Broughty Ferry, but despite a battling 46 from impressive youngster Craig Wallace Carlton were always in control of this one.

Scotland man Gordon Drummond led the way with four for 27, while Ali Evans took the key wicket of Forfarshire skipper Ryan Watson for 23 as the hosts posted 183 all out.

Preston Mommsen notched 81 not out and Cedric English hit 40 as the visitors wrapped up victory with seven wickets to spare.

Dunfermline Knights got back on form, Alistair Gray's superb 131 helping them see off Uddingston in a high scoring contest at Bothwell Castle.

The South African's runs, along with 68 from Vasu Reddy, saw the Fifers close to 300, finishing on 295 for seven.

Young seamer Safyaan Sharif then got the wicket of danger man Paul Hoffman as Uddingston's innings started badly. They rallied, but fell 63 runs short despite 72 from Sri Lankan Ras Priyadarshana.

Greenock recorded their first win of the league campaign at Hamilton Crescent, defeating fellow strugglers McCrea FS West by 52 runs. Teenager Alex Baum top scored with 42 as Greenock made 234 for eight batting first, with a handy 28 from Jonathan Hempsey late on taking them up to the useful total.

Richie Berrington then removed openers Dougie Lockhart and Gregg Watson for nine and 23 respectively to stall West's run chase and Willie Rowan trapped captain Ian Young lbw.

The consistent Chris Bellwood then bowled pro Leighton Burtt for 10 as the home side were all out for 182 to leave Greenock's players smiling.