Cricket: Olly Hairs underlines his potential with a ton for Grange

Hairs, who has only just turned 18, made 104 – then bagged two wickets as Watsonians finished a clear-cut second at Myreside.

Grange cruised to 286 for seven, with Cammy Coles also getting in on the act by reaching 95. Craig Wright (69) and Stewart Chalmers (51) offered stubborn resistance for Watsonians, but they never looked like stealing the glory and were dismissed for 265.

South African pro Ally Gray whacked 104 from the same number of balls to carry Dunfermline to an emphatic victory over West of Scotland at McKane Park. Gray starred in an unbeaten stand of 190 with Wayne Sullivan (87no) as the Knights cruised home by nine wickets. West had posted a target of 205 after skipper Ian Young made 80 and Dougie Lockhart 37.

In the wake of their shaky start to the defence of their title, Aberdeenshire appear to be back on track. They made short work of Clydesdale in a six-wicket romp at Titwood. The hosts capitulated to just 107 all out in the 41st over before leaving the stage clear for Shire to cruise to victory.

Tyler Buchan, Graeme Tomlinson and Shaun Coetzer each grabbed a cheap three-wicket haul. Skipper Harry Singh was the only home batsman to offer meaningful resistance with 39. Though veteran all-rounder Greig Williamson bagged four for 19 in an accurate spell, pro Michael Parlane proved to the backbone of the Aberdeenshire response with 55.

Greenock, having lost a string of big names, are destined for a tough season. And, despite an encouraging batting display, they suffered a third defeat of the campaign at Carlton.

The Edinburgh club ultimately cruised home by eight wickets but not before the visitors had posted a creditable 232-7. Skipper Kevin McLaren led the way with a secure 67 before 16-year-old Alex Baum lit up the innings with a hard-hitting 60no.

Baum, one of the country's rising stars, hit three sixes and five fours in a sparkling 42-ball knock which raised hopes of a first win for the Glenpark side. However, former Greenock batsman Fraser Watts made a rapid 52 to wrest control for Carlton before Preston Mommsen stole the show.

The South African-born batsman fell just three runs short of a century while Cedric English guided Carlton home with a composed 73no.

Meanwhile, Uddingston carved out their first win at the expense of a weakened Forfarshire outfit in a thriller at Bothwell Castle Policies.

The visitors were without Ryan Watson and Matty Parker ahead of today's CB 40 action at Grace Road while opening batsman Graeme Garden was celebrating Dundee United's success at Hampden Park. Their absence was sorely felt as the Broughty Ferry men struggled to 188 from 49 overs. The only meaningful contributions came from Aussie Kelby Pickering with a battling half-century and Academy youngster Craig Wallace.

Uddingston came flying out the blocks in reply with Paul Hoffmann and Bryan Clarke putting on 105 for the first wicket.

Hoffmann dominated, but Clarke leant valuable support with 25 before edging Pickering to the keeper.

A calamitous collapse saw Uddingston staring at defeat until final pair Ricky Bawa and Sameer Zia saw them home in the penultimate over. Zia was the star, hammering the winning runs with a six over point.

In Division One, Gregor Lewis produced a remarkable all-round display to steer Drumpellier to success against Stenhousemuir. Lewis thumped 136 and Zaheer Mohammed hit 104 not out to propel Drumps to a lofty 305 for two before the former struck three times with the ball to send Stenny hurtling to 118 all out.

And Stirling County stretched their unbeaten run at the expense of Poloc, who were shot out for 63 in reply to 138.