Champions left on sooty wicket after Knights use unique pitch-drying move

DUNFERMLINE Knights marked their first game in the top flight of Scottish cricket by defeating reigning champions Aberdeenshire at a chilly McKane Park.

Having posted 211-5, the Knights bowled superbly to restrict their fancied visitors to just 172-8 in what was an ultimately convincing triumph and one which suggests the Fifers will be a match for most throughout the summer.

This game only proceeded after ground staff adopted an unusual pitch drying method by applying hot coals to a damp patch on the wicket.

The technique, introduced to Dunfermline by a previous overseas amateur from South Africa, paid dividends when play was able to commence just 40 minutes late with the loss of five overs per side.

Opting to bat first, the Knights suffered two early setbacks when first Gowtham Rai was caught behind by Matthew Cross off Chris West and then Wayne Sullivan was forced to retire with an injured ankle.

However, South African professional Alistair Gray, back for a second season with the Fifers, proved his worth with a fine 82.

His 95-ball knock included eight boundaries and was only brought to an end when the excellent West ripped through his defences.

Solid middle order contributions from Vasu Reddy, Marshall Bunting and Stuart Campbell allowed the home side to post 211-5.

Aparajit Singh, a close-season capture from Falkland, then made a double breakthrough to remove Matty Hay and Graeme Tomlinson, both caught and bowled, as the Knights took a grip.

They were briefly held up by Shire's new Kiwi import Michael Parlane who hit a cultured 68-ball 53.

However, when he was lbw to Gray, the visitors' offered little threat as Bunting and Gray finished with three wickets apiece.

Elsewhere, Clydesdale recovered from last week's shock defeat to the National Academy with a comfortable win over Greenock at Glenpark.

However, the home side contributed to their own downfall, offering no fewer than 57 Extras to their opponents' total of 202-8.

They also contrived to drop Qasim Sheikh who went on to hit a half-century.

Greenock's reply never got going after Richie Berrington suffered a first ball duck and they eventually slid to 159 with Greig Williamson claiming four wickets.

Meanwhile relegated Heriot's made a convincing start to their first division campaign against Falkland at Scroggie Park.

These sides were two divisions apart last season with the Fifers winning promotion for the first time and the gulf was fairly plain to see in a one-sided encounter.

Andre van Neikirk was Heriot's destroyer-in-chief with five wickets for just fourteen runs as the Fifers staggered to 72 all out.

The Goldenacre side did not have things all their own way, losing four wickets before reaching the target in the twenty-first over.

Skipper Steve Knox led the way with 33 while Nick Cunningham claimed 3-16.

The clash between Poloc and Stoneywood-Dyce was called off due to damp conditions at Shawholm.