Brothers in arms help Arbroath crush Poloc to take over at top

THE Burnett brothers were the heroes for Arbroath United, who leapt into pole position, deposing Heriot's from the top slot after a 14-week reign.

Batting first on another fine Lochlands track against a youthful Poloc side, the Angus side posted a useful 218 for 9, thanks mainly to skipper Fraser, who followed up last week's century with a fine 93, assisted by brother Calvin's 44. Seamer Benny McGill then took vital early wickets, blasting out the Poloc top three before Calvin Burnett produced an identical 3 for 14 as the fragile Shawholm batting capitulated to a new low of 59 all out.

Overseas amateur Carl Huyser (16) alone made it into double figures for the Glasgow side, whose defeat surely ends any lingering hopes of 2011 Premiership qualification.

Heriot's looked set to remain on top when an aggressive opening spell of 4 for 27 from Sean Weereratna, including a hat-trick, had Stirling County reeling at New Williamfield, but opener Gavin Anderson (45) remained resolute, and a fighting 58 from Matthew Tweedie, assisted by pro Kreeson Naicker, unbeaten on 35, enabled the hosts to recover to a respectable 184 for 8.

Seamer Josh Edwards then ran riot with 5 for 24 as the Goldenacre top five rapidly folded, Knox, Thomas, Lockhart-Krause, McIntyre and Weereratna all falling cheaply. Skipper Phil Rees chipped in with his second successive three-wicket return, as the leaders staggered to 101 all out to lose by 83 runs.

Stoneywood-Dyce, still in with a valid title chance, maintained their momentum, recording a ninth successive win against bottom club Penicuik at Kirkhill. Opener Grant Jamieson (61) and coach Jan Stander, following up last week's blistering 90 with a knock of 75, were the mainstays of an imposing total of 258 for 8, assisted by Michael Leask (41) and Les Wattie (30), Graeme Ruthven returning a creditable 4 for 54 for the Midlothian men.

In reply Penicuik were soon in trouble, losing overseas amateur Richard Partington, bowled by Stander, for just one. Ben Witz (32) and Dougie Liddle (15) offered late resistance before the innings folded with the home side 132 runs light. Former Birmingham Premier League leg-spinner Waqar Mohammad took 4 for 38 on his Stoneywood debut.

Fourth-placed Drumpellier kept in touch with the leaders with a convincing seven-wicket win over Falkland at Scroggie Park. The home side were in desperate trouble from the start against the seam attack of pro Khatib Shahabuddin and John Hutton, collapsing to 12 for 5, including four ducks, before Jack Henderson (45) steadied the ship, and they eventually limped to 100 all out. Drumpellier left-arm spinner Ally Rawlinson was again miserly, taking 3 for 13 in his allotted 10 overs. Stand-in captain Ian Warden (33) and Zaheed Mohammed (27) then featured in an unbeaten stand of 60 as the Coatbridge men cruised home in the 26th over.

Ayr remain clear in fifth following an away win at Stenhousemuir. Pro Hamish Rutherford hit 59 in the home side's 191 for 9, but man of the match Dougie Johnstone, who had earlier taken 4 for 25, hit an unbeaten 69 in tandem with pro Michael Papps (97 not out), which saw the Alloway men ease home with nine wickets and 17 overs to spare.