Burnett's return inspires Arbroath's title charge

RESURGENT Arbroath are firmly back in the title hunt. The Lochland Park men gave further notice of their league aspirations following last week's eclipse of Heriot's by dislodging Drumpellier from second slot in a hard-fought contest at Langloan.

Captain Fraser Burnett, just back after missing the first half of the season with a troublesome knee injury, led from the front with a sizzling 67, adding 104 for the second wicket with Scotland Under-17 captain Ross McLean before keeper Marc Petrie (62) and Calvin Burnett (26 not out) took the Lichties to a challenging 227 for 6. A typically rumbustious 46 from Zaheed Mohammed got Drumpellier off to a flier, but despite useful middle-order contributions from skipper Graeme McLaren (29) and Stevie Allison (27) the Coatbridge men were finally dismissed in the last over just 13 runs light, and now slip down to fourth place. Calvin Burnett was the Arbroath bowling star with 3 for 41.

Leaders Heriot's, meanwhile, got back on track with a solid home win against Falkland. Captain Steve Knox led the way with 47 before a cavalier 65 from Sean Weereratna enabled the Goldenacre men to close on 220 for 8. In reply the Fifers were always in the hunt while prolific pro Harsha Cooray was at the crease, but the last six Scroggie Park batsmen could muster only 6 runs among them, leaving Cooray stranded on 111, and his team just 31 runs short.

Michael Papps duly recorded his third successive century and his fourth of the campaign as Ayr easily overcame bottom club Penicuik by 109 runs at Alloway. Papps was again well supported by returning skipper Mark Renny (48) and Dougie Johnstone (37) as the seasiders posted a formidable 269 for 7. Pro Richard Partington (42) and returning former Scottish internationalist Craig MacKellar (32) bravely fought a losing Penicuik cause as Ayr vice-captain Andi McElnea grabbed four wickets for 31.

Form team Stoneywood-Dyce lost their first three matches, but haven't looked back since, romping to their sixth straight league win over toiling Poloc, who have now lost five in a row. Batting first the Shawholm side slumped to 54 for 5, and only an undefeated 61-run tenth wicket partnership between bowler Bilal Chaudry (39) and keeper Paul Flanagan (24) enabled them to post a moderate 176 for 9 as Jan Stander and Scott Redhead bagged three wickets apiece. Opener Grant Jamieson's 72 and an unbeaten 40 from Stander saw the home side home with six wickets and seven overs to spare. 'Loc pro Fraser Quarterman followed up his 31 runs with a bowling return of 10-4-12-2.

Stirling County were in sparkling form at the Tryst, setting an impressive 280 for 7 for Stenhousemuir to chase. Opener Gavin Anderson (54) and skipper Phil Rees (48) leading the way before overseas amateur Craig Matthew at No 8 blasted an unbeaten 64.Once again veteran Iain Philip (34) and pro Hamish Rutherford (51) made decent scores in reply but four wickets from home pro Kreeson Naicker and three from Josh Edwards left Stenny 122 runs short.