Cricket: Grange stunned by defeat after batting bonanza

GRANGE captain Sanjay Patel is backing his side to bounce back from their shock defeat to Uddingston quickly after one of the most amazing matches in SNCL Premier Division history slipped from their grasp.

Batting first in Stockbridge, Grange posted a huge total of 340-5 with teenage opener Oli Hairs smashing 112 and Patel scoring 60 to put them in the driving seat.

However, some superb batting from Uddingston's top order – including 88 from ex-Scotland man Paul Hoffman – left Grange's bowling attack struggling.

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As the game reached the last over Amir Gul and David Bill still needed six runs and they got them to seal a five-wicket win and leave Grange's players and supporters stunned.

Grange have now lost two league matches in a row but still top the division.

Patel said: "Obviously we are all really disappointed. When you score 340 you don't expect to lose. Some of our bowling and fielding wasn't good enough and we were punished, but it was a bit of a freak result.

"We have still won six of our first eight games and are in a good position, so we have to regroup and kick on."

The plus point for Grange on a frustrating day was Hairs' second century of the season and Patel is delighted with the way the Merchiston Castle pupil is progressing. The skipper said: "Oli is maturing with each innings and we look forward to seeing how he progresses as he is certainly one of Scotland's brightest young talents."

Meanwhile, Adam Lockhart-Krause's superb start to life at Heriot's continued on Saturday as the Goldenacre men stayed top of the First Division.

The young Australian has now scored over 400 league runs this summer after his 114 saw Heriot's post 277-8 batting first against Poloc at Shawholm.

Kiwi Matthew Thomas chipped in with 49 and Sean Weeraratna 37.

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In reply the hosts were all out for 150, Weeraratna taking four wickets and Chris Goddard three in the 127-run victory.

Botttom side Penicuik hit an all-time low when they were bowled out for just 27 at home to Drumpellier.

Extras top scored with eight as the Midlothian side were humbled, with the visitors then winning easily by nine wickets.

In the Second Division, Edinburgh got their first win of the campaign, Arslan Mir's 75 helping them to see off Weirs.

Edinburgh made 238-8 batting first and Mir was then the main man with the ball too, taking 3-30 as the hosts were all out for 170.

SMRH lost by eight wickets to Dumfries despite 44 not out from Jonny Brock, while RH Corstorphine's poor run continued when they went down by 71 runs to West Lothian at Boghall to leave them seventh in the table.