Cricket: Stoneywood-Dyce outbowl limp Heriot’s

STONEYWOOD-DYCE may be regarded by some as the weak link in the new Eastern Premier Division but the People’s Park side answered that charge in emphatic style yesterday with a thumping win over Heriot’s.

The Aberdonians looked second favourites when they could muster just 138 runs from 42.2 testing overs.

Sean Weeraratna, the forgotten man of Scottish seam bowling, gave a reminder of his talents with 3-22, a haul matched by former Scotland under-19 bowler Ali Farooq.

However, in a match totally dominated by the ball, Jan Stander trumped both the Heriot’s bowlers as the visitors were routed for 57.

The Scottish Saltires all-rounder proved unplayable on the day, claiming 8-31 to inflict a heavy 81-run defeat on the Goldenacre outfit.

His figures set a new Stoneywood-Dyce club record for a league match.

In the only other game to survive in the Eastern Premier, Aberdeenshire posted 175-9 against Forfarshire at Forthill.

Forfarshire were in charge but Harsha Cooray turned the match in Aberdeenshire’s favour.

The Sri Lankan professional claimed 5-45 as the hosts lost their way to fall 19 runs short.

If Stoneywood-Dyce were the shock-troops in the east, Dumfries produced the performance of the day to remain top of the Western Premier Division.

Newcomers to this level of cricket, the Nunholm men brushed aside the challenge of Clydesdale to win by 98 runs.

Meanwhile, West of Scotland continued their winning start to the Western Premier Division with a comprehensive victory over Uddingston at Hamilton Crescent.

Saltires star Moneeb Iqbal produced the performance of the day in the First Division with 45 runs and seven wickets as Weirs secured a 47-run win at Kelburne.