Heriot's push Stirling at top

REVITALISED Heriot's impressed again with a third successive victory, this time over Stoneywood-Dyce, but they were made to fight all the way.

The Goldenacre men posted a decent 201 thanks to a splendid 44 from keeper-batsman Adam Lockhart-Krause at No 3, assisted by former stumper Gavin McIntyre and some late-order striking from Ally Edington.

The Stoneywood top order failed to ignite, but Stuart Coetzer's 50 and skipper Nikhail Ninan's staunch 20 at No 10 kept them in the hunt right down to the wire before Ninan was last out a mere ten runs light.

Stirling County maintained their unbeaten record and their grip on top slot on run rate with a spirited eclipse of Poloc at Shawholm.

After the top six had all failed the New Williamfield men were indebted to a 65-run partnership for the seventh wicket from pro Kreeson Naicker (51) and Graham Taylor (25).

Chasing a meagre 138, Poloc capitulated to 63 all out.

Ayr got their campaign back on track with a comfortable win over Falkland at Scroggie Park, after setting a target of 180 all out. Ayr's burgeoning new-ball attack of Kiwi Daniel Fleming and teenager Scott McElnea then set about the Fifers, and only Paul Watson's 53 at No 6 offered serious resistance as Falkland folded 42 runs light, Fleming taking his SNCL wicket haul to 11 in only three matches.

Arbroath United posted their second successive big score against toiling Penicuik. South African pro Craig Williams and Ross McLean hit sparkling 60s, assisted by skipper Fraser Burnet and evergreen Benny McGill, in a total of 245 for 7.

Three quick wickets from McGill then killed the contest, although late defiance from captain Keith Morton (42), Sean Taylor (41), Ian Kirkhope (32), and Chris Ashworth (26) took the Kirkhill men to a respectable 200 all out at the close.

Elsewhere, a magnificent double century opening partnership from Drumpellier's Greg Lewis and Zaheer Mohammed helped set an awesome 305 for 2 against struggling Stenhousemuir, for whom only Kiwi pro Hamish Rutherford could respond with 45 as Stenny fell short by 187 runs.