Dumfries clinch title as SMRH rue Kent injury blow

ONE man doesn't make a team. Really? Try telling that to the supporters of SMRH. Before the re-arrival of former Saltires star Jon Kent from South Africa, the Inverleith side had barely won a match but became a potent unit on his return.

Kent came too late to turn SMRH into title contenders, but he has certainly ruined the aspirations of several teams. As Dumfries cruised past Weirs to make sure of the championship, the value of Kent was underlined - by his absence. In the wake of their hammering by RH Corstorphine in the capital derby, spokesman Bert Barclay said: "Jon injured his ankle in the warm-up before last weekend's match against Renfrew. He bravely played on and performed with distinction, but he has now returned home to South Africa where ligament damage has been confirmed. It will be at least five weeks before he is able to train or play."

Visiting pro Mo Ramzan struck a fine 64 and Kent's ex-Scotland team-mate Rob More 34 not out to guide Corstorphine to 186 for nine. SMRH then slid to a miserable 108 all out, with Azar Abid taking 5-26 and Jason Biddulph 3-12.

Weirs offered next to no resistance to Dumfries at Albert Park, capitulating to 61 all out as Scott Beveridge snapped up three scalps for only one run. Young Tom McBride then hit 31 not out to complete the ten-wicket romp.

Scott Galloway scored 99 as Freuchie beat Kelburne at Muir Road, while Prav Mullick and Jamey Carruthers were the heroes with bat and ball respectively as Ferguslie thrashed Renfrew.

West Lothian's roller-coaster campaign took another downward lurch with a defeat by Imans Edinburgh.