Feelgood Saturday for West Lothian as Clinton Dixon enjoys the daddy of all games

WEST Lothian skipper Andy Raven hailed it "the perfect Saturday" as his side surged comfortably clear in the Championship title race.

Not only did they complete a clinical demolition job on local rivals Stenhousemuir, they gleefully received the news that fellow promotion favourites Dumfries had been toppled by Weirs.

Raven said: "It was just one of these great days that come around every so often!" He picked out Clinton Dixon as the man who mattered most at the Tryst. Having revealed before the match that he is going to be a dad for the first time, Dixon destroyed the Stenhousemuir top order with what his captain labelled "a ruthless spell".

Raven went on: "His two superb catches off his own bowling included their pro Rushdi Jappie, who has been scoring piles of runs. He then showed magnificent athleticism and agility to run out Iain Phillip."

There was never likely to be a way back into the contest for the hosts after they were skittled for only 79, Dixon finishing with three for 19.

It took the visitors only 23 overs to complete the job with the loss of only one wicket, thanks to Jimmy McOscar (39 not out) and Jared Cookson (36 not out).

Raven added: "The pair batted with controlled aggression and with a great sense of responsibility. But when all was said and done, the day belonged to Clinton and everyone at the club is thrilled for him and mum-to-be Lyndsey."

Russell Murray and Ziggy Young emerged as the hero of Weirs in their shock success at Nunholm. Young inflicted the initial damage by grabbing three for 14 to restrict the home troops to 197 for eight, with Scott Beveridge hitting 57 and Stuart Corbett-Byers making 48.

Vice captain Murray then took centre stage to stroke a career-best unbeaten 108, steering the Glasgow side to glory by five wickets in the process.

The Dans were in steely form at Newfield as Poloc snatched revenge for their Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of Edinburgh Accies.

Accies pro Dan Rixon smashed a great century - but it wasn't enough to prevent Daniel Chaudhry and Dan Walton inspiring Poloc to a four-wicket triumph.

Chaudhry fell one adrift of his ton, while Walton reached 70 - Scotty Millen sealing the win with a quickfire 40 from 31 deliveries.

Ferguslie completed their second success against Paisley neighbours Kelburne in the space of four days at Meikleriggs. Having ousted them from the Cup, they had David Stafford (85) and Stuart Kennedy (56) mainly to credit.

Elsewhere, pro Junaid Masood dominated the Fife derby at Scroggie Park, where Freuchie overwhelmed Falkland.

Masood took four for 30 as the home brigade plunged to 68 all out in reply to 178.

Veteran Mohammed Ramzan struck a robust 78 to lay the foundations for Renfrew's victory over his old Corstorphine mates at King George V Park. And East Kilbride received a reality check in the nine-wicket hammering by SMRH at Inverleith.