Heriot's steady themselves after wobble to set the pace at the top

It's no change at the top of Division One as pacesetters Heriot's and Arbroath United both record convincing wins.

Heriot's, desperate to get back on track after a mid-season wobble, which has seen them lose two of their last three league games, bundled out lowly Stenhousemuir at Goldenacre for just 141, with only Tom Rutherford (39) and Ben Kelly (31) offering any protracted resistance as Andre van Niekerk grabbed 4 for 47, and another two victims for the league's most prolific wicket-taker, overseas amateur Matthew Thomas took his season's tally to 31. In reply Heriot's made light work of the meagre total, as a century opening stand from skipper Steve Knox (65 not out) and Thomas (43) saw them safely home with 16 overs to spare.

Skipper Fraser Burnett was the Arbroath United hero, as the second-placed Lochlands Park side maintained the pressure on Heriot's with a fine win over Falkland at rain-swept Scroggie Park. Going in at No 3 after the early loss of Scotland Under-17 opener Ross McLean, Burnett hit a splendid 104 before being stumped off pro Harsha Cooray, as the Lichties, also well served by pro Craig Williams (34) and Benny McGill (29 not out) posted a challenging 223 for 5. Falkland, disappointed to concede 46 extras in the field, again looked to prolific Cooray, but his 42 was insufficient, as they were bundled out for 130 to lose by 47 runs chasing a revised D/L target of 178 in 29 overs.

A remarkable eighth successive win saw Stoneywood-Dyce leapfrog Drumpellier into third slot as the Aberdeen team, restored to nearly full strength, exacted some revenge for last Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by overpowering lacklustre Stirling County at People's Park. A fine opening stand from Grant Jamieson (83) and Liam Crowley (37) paved the way for coach Jan Stander to flourish later in the innings with a blistering unbeaten 91, as the home side posted a massive 267 for 6, Stirling skipper Phil Rees taking three for 38. In reply Stirling capitulated before some fiery bowling from Elton Willemse, Stander and ex-Durham Academy seamer Scott Redhead, whose 5 for 35 mopped up the tail as the New Williamfield men were skittled out for just 124, with only opener Gavin Anderson passing muster with 38.

A brilliant unbeaten 116 from overseas amateur Carl Huyser, who took his season's total to 557 runs, saw Poloc end their wretched run, and keep alive their faint hopes of Premiership qualification with a convincing 143-run eclipse of bottom club Penicuik. In reply to the Shawholm side's 237 for 9, only coach Richard Partington and Matty Foulds with 20s offered any resistance to Poloc seamers James Blackburn (4 for 22) and Fraser Quarterman (3 for 9) as the Kirkhill men slumped from 68 for 1 to an abject 89 all out.

Ayr's frustration with the unfavourable elements continued for a third successive week as their match with Drumpellier at Langloan was eventually halted, a big disappointment too for the Coatbridge club, who now slip down into fourth place. In reply to Drumps' challenging 225 for 6 in which pro Khatib Shahabuddin made 56 and skipper Graeme McLaren 46, Ayr were 32 without loss when the rain finally put paid to proceedings.