Division 1: Arbroath snatch title from Heriot's after last-over drama

There were celebrations for Arbroath United late on Saturday, as Fraser Burnett's County cavaliers snatched the title from front-runners Heriot's in a dramatic last-over Lochlands finale.

It was a cruel blow for the Goldenacre men, who led the league for most of the campaign, only to be pipped at the post by three runs, with leading batsman Gavin McIntyre left stranded undefeated on 50.

Earlier the title had looked to be heading to Edinburgh as the Lichties' batting failed to deliver on the big day. Pro Craig Williams, Ross McLean, Matthew Parker, Marc Petrie, Craig Burnett and Greg Peel all failed, with only John Salmond (34) and Fraser Burnett (20) making any impact. Enter then the hero of the hour, Benny McGill. The Lochlands veteran, the league's second-top wicket-taker with 32, arrived at No 9, the innings seemingly in tatters, and crashed a magnificent undefeated 50, which hoisted the Angus men to 179 for 9, well below par but at least a total to bowl at.

Heriot's in reply quickly lost Matthew Thomas for 2, and key man Adam Lockhart-Krause for a duck, both Calvin Burnett victims, but a fine stand between skipper Steve Knox (44) and McIntyre (57 not out) swung the pendulum back. Enter, once more, McGill, trapping Knox lbw. Sean Weeteratna followed immediately, smartly stumped for zero by Marc Petrie off Craig Ramsay, and despite late flourishes from Chris Goddard, Ally Edington and Andre van Niekerk, time ran out on their title aspirations just one boundary short.

Meanwhile at Alloway, Kiwi pro Michael Papps (51) passed the 1,000-run mark as Ayr disposed of Scottish Cup finalists Stirling County by nine wickets. New Cambusdoon opener Andi McElnea hit an unbeaten 93 to eclipse Stirling's modest 176 all out, in which only pro Kreeson Naicker (44) and overseas amateur Craig Matthews (36) made meaningful contributions. Ayr seamers Phil Wilson and Alan Davidson snatched seven wickets between them.

Stoneywood-Dyce made it 12 wins out of 13 at Scroggie Park. Elton Willemse (31) and Liam Crowley (28) provided a platform, but then subsided to 112 all out. In reply Falkland lost the wicket of pro Harsha Cooray, bowled by People's Park skipper George Ninan for 2, precipitating a Fife collapse to 85 all out, Ninan and Ally Gill sharing seven wickets.

Drumpellier disposed of Poloc by 30 runs at Shawholm. Asif Mohammed (68) and Chris Keltie (42) were the mainstays of the Coatbridge batting in a total of 178 for 8. Poloc's batting then underperformed again, keeper Paul Flanagan top-scoring with 27, as seamer Ian Warden grabbed 4 home wickets for 34.

Elsewhere, in the basement battle at The Tryst Stenhousemuir consigned Penicuik to bottom slot.Grant Ruthven's 40 was the sole highlight of a lowly 136 all out by the Kirkhill men, which the Rutherford brothers Tom (75 not out) and Hamish (24) then comfortably surpassed, as Stenny cruised home by 7 wickets to record only their second win of the season.