Cricket: Four times 50 equals a win

FOUR players hit half centuries as Carlton II defeated their rivals from Grange II to keep up their East League Division One title challenge.

Ben Duerden, Tom Barrett, Simon Spry and Rajan Bhopal all got past 50 as Carlton II's 281-4 was too many for the visitors.

Duerden top scored with 66, teenager Barrett made 65, Australian Spry 53 and young talent Bhopal 52 not out.

The visitors were then bowled out for 188, Mohammed Habib continuing to impress with 4-21 in the 93-run victory.

Over at Craiglockhart pacesetters Watsonians II lost their first league match in nine.

On a difficult batting wicket the hosts were bowled out for 174 with Charlie Ellis taking five wickets for Holy Cross. In reply, the visitors had to battle, but made it home by five wicket.

Kean Woodmansey was the main man for Edinburgh Accies as they saw off Glenrothes with ease.

He took four wickets as the Fifers were bowled out for 142. Accies then reached their victory target just two wickets down. All three results mean that the race for the title is wide open.

In Division Two, Sam Hain continued his good form but could not prevent Musselburgh going down to Marchmont in a top-of-the-table clash.

Fourteen-year-old Australian Hain made 41 in the East Lothian outfit's 220 all out but Marchmont chased down the total at Cavalry Park with seven wickets to spare.

Lower down the leagues Musselburgh II were in the runs once again. Mark Tucker top scored with 130 not out as they made 345-2 against Falkland III in Division Five. Falkland only made 163-6 in reply, Musselburgh winning by 182 runs.