Scottish Cup cricket: Abroath have double chance

That was the verdict yesterday from Qasim Sheikh in the wake of Kelburne’s defeat by the buoyant Lochlands outfit at Whitehaugh. The Arbroath triumph made sure of their progress to the knockout stages of the cup, and Scotland star Sheikh believes they are equipped to go the whole way in both competitions.

He declared: “Their guys come out to the crease with the intent to bully the opposition bowlers and they certainly have some great strikers of the ball, along with what I would term proper upper order players. They also have a young an energetic fielding team.”

Former captain Fraser Burnett combined with Petrie in an unbeaten stand of 108 to steer Arbroath to a quick-fire six-wicket success. The home side’s tally of 151 never looked enough to trouble the visitors and Burnett (63 not out) and Petrie (39 not out) snuffed out any prospect of a fightback as they crossed the finishing line in only 26 overs. Craig Ramsey also shone for the Lichties, bagging four for 35.

Sheikh (33) and Steve McLister (four for 47) offered the most Kelburne resistance.

East Kilbride’s positive sequence continued as they mounted their highest ever successful run chase to snuff out the challenge of SMRH at Inverleith.

A century by former Scotland World Cup ace Cedric English propelled the hosts to 256; however, EK breasted the tape with two wickets and 11 balls to spare.

Zeeshan Bashir hit 61 and claimed five wickets to keep Clydesdale top of the group with a 164-run win against West Lothian. Drumpellier capped a memorable week by completing their second demolition job on Freuchie in the campaign.

Having pipped Kelburne in midweek to land the Rowan Trophy for the first time in 29 years, the Coatbridge brigade stepped up the momentum at Muir Road to bury the hapless Fifers. And again Mohammed Ramzan emerged as the destroyer-in-chief with a devastating spell of bowling.

In their first meeting at Langloan back in May, Ramzan claimed four for six to set up the ten-wicket triumph. And this time round he snapped up five for 14, sending the hosts hurtling to 63 all out.

Then to prove there were no demons in the track, Drumps cruised to victory yet again without losing a single man.

Matty Parker followed up last weekend’s century in vain against Arbroath by smashing 75 – but again it wasn’t enough to tilt the balance.

It was Stirling County who rallied and salvaged a tense two-run win. The Broughty Ferry side needed eight from the final over, however County held their nerve.

There was more fast scoring at Peoples Park, where Stoneywood-Dyce maintained their strong tournament run at the expense of Poloc. A maiden century by youngster Kyle Macpherson inspired Carlton to a convincing win over struggling Prestwick at Grange Loan.

Paceman Daya Singh was the man who mattered most at The Tryst as Aberdeenshire disposed of Stenhousemuir in clinical fashion.

The Dons had posted 227 for seven before Singh grabbed four for 17, curbing the Stenny response to 91 all out.