Heriot's show title-winning form in big win over Poloc

RESILIENT, unbeaten Heriot's underlined their title credentials with a resounding thumping of challengers Poloc at Shawholm.

Missing several regulars, the Goldenacre men were relying heavily on their in-form top three batsmen, and once again they delivered, as centurion Adam Lockhart-Krause (114), Sean Weeraratna (37) and Gavin McIntyre (27) combined to help post an impressive 277 for 8 on a slow pitch.

Weeraratna then grabbed two quick wickets as Poloc slumped to a parlous 14 for 4, and only another fine 50 from overseas amateur Carl Huyser, assisted by emerging Scott Millen (43), ensured respectability as the home innings closed 127 runs light. Weeraratna returned a splendid 4 for 19, with the unlikely assistance of Chris Goddard, whose slow-mediums accounted for another three.

Surprise of the day was at New Williamfield where Stirling County lost to hitherto struggling Falkland. Veteran Paul Watson has long been insisting that the tide would turn for the Scroggie Park men, and he was proven correct when Falkland won the toss, batted, and skipper Graeme Watson (63) and Michael Cachia (91) raced to 150 for the first wicket, which may transpire to be a club record opening stand.

In reply to a challenging 236 for 7, Stirling lost Josh Edwards for a duck, and skipper for the day Iain McGhee was unlucky when as non-striker he was run out by a deflection off bowler Jack Henderson, but Falkland bowled and fielded stoutly, spearheaded by three wickets apiece from Ryan Hepburn and pro Harsha Cooray. Only County pro Kreesan Naicker (60) threatened as the home innings eventually subsided 38 runs short.

Toiling Penicuik slumped to a new low at Kirkhill as vibrant Drumpellier rolled them over in under 18 overs for a paltry 27, the lowest total in SNCL history, thanks mainly to Mumbai Indians pro Khatib Sahabuddin's remarkable return of 7 for 15. The Langloan men then polished off the runs in a mere 41 balls for the loss of just one wicket to displace Stirling in second slot.

Inconsistent Ayr slumped to sixth place after their third home defeat, this time to fast-improving Stoneywood-Dyce. Michael Papps again showed his Test class with a fine 62, but no other home batsman could reach 20, and the Alloway men had to settle for 173 for 8, Josh Stinson continuing his productive run with the ball with 4 for 33. An unbeaten century partnership between Elton Willemse (59) and Jan Stander (53) then saw the Aberdeenshire side home easily with six wickets and 14 balls left.

Arbroath United were comfortable seven-wicket winners at the Tryst. Stenhousemuir's 150 all out, largely the work of pro Hamish Rutherford (53) and Iain Philip (33), looked light, and so it proved as the 'Lichties' cruised to a seven-wicket victory on the back of opener Ross McLean's undefeated 60 and pro Craig Williams' 45. Earlier, seamers Craig Ramsay and Greg Peal had shared six wickets for the Lochlands men, who now advance into fourth position.