Watsonians shine in the rain to stay on top

Adrian Neill of Heriots bowls out Carltons Rory McCann in the 12th over at Goldenacre, Edinburgh. Picture: Andrew OBrien

On a day when two other top flight fixtures in the capital failed to go the distance, Sonians cashed-in and had a further bonus when they learned that second-placed Forfarshire had fallen further off the pace.

Batting first, the Myreside men posted 216 for four before a lengthy rain interruption plunged the match into doubt.

However, patience paid off when the players returned to the field, Aberdeenshire having been set a tricky revised target of 249 in 42 overs.

The Dons could only make 209-8 despite a battling half-century from Callum Howard.

Ewan Chalmers had earlier hit a composed 52 not out for the hosts while Schalk Conradie contributed 36.

There was a shock for Forfarshire who fell to their second defeat in a row, going down in another rain-affected encounter at Glenrothes. Keegan Rawling was the Fifers’ hero with key wickets and an unbeaten half-century as his side secured a memorable seven-wicket win.

That result is bad news for Stoneywood-Dyce who remain rooted to the bottom after Arbroath headed home from People’s Park with a four-wicket win. Craig Ramsay and Ross McLean had three wickets each as the Aberdonians were dismissed for 142 before Harris Carnegie’s 34 and 32 from Greg Peal steered the chase.

Grange had posted 259-5 from 49 overs before rain forced the abandonment of their home clash with Falkland. It was a similar story at Goldenacre where Heriot’s had reduced Carlton to 133-5 before the rain arrived.

Ferguslie are still firmly on course for the Western Premier title after a convincing win at Stenhousemuir.

Indeed, yesterday’s  six-wicket success means they have strengthened their position at the top since second placed Clydesdale’s clash with East Kilbride was washed-out. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Ferguslie never looked back after their new-ball duo of Jamey Carruthers and Greg Cameron each took a wicket to reduce the hosts to 10-2.

Stenhousemuir rallied to reach 56-4 only to lose their final six in a hurry as they fell to 65 all out. Ferguslie did lose four batsmen on a wicket that continued to offer assistance but they reached their modest target with plenty to spare.

Elsewhere, Kelburne slumped to their second consecutive defeat as Prestwick stepped-up their bid for a top-four finish with victory at Whitehaugh. The visitors had contributions throughout the order to post a competitive 172-9 before turning the screw in the field to dismiss Kelburne for 99.

There were also wins for Uddingston and Ayr at Dumfries and Drumpellier respectively.