Maiden gets in the groove for Grange

The all-rounder, overlooked by Scotland, was stranded one run short of his second century of the SNCL Premier Division campaign at Glenpark.

Maiden looked set to stroll to his century, but batting partner Stuart Moffat had the lion's share of the strike.

The hosts, who are battling their way through a transitional period having lost several top performers, had posted a target of 215. Kevin McLaren (58), Andy Hislop (31) and Chris Bellwood (21) – all new signings at the Tail o' the Bank – offered the most resistance to the Grange attack.

Greenock took some hope by grabbing four early wickets, but once Maiden and former Scotland rugby cap Moffat were in tandem there was only likely to be one outcome.

Moffat was unbeaten on 42, while Maiden narrowly failed to make his ton, just a couple of weeks after his career best 166 not out against Dunfermline Knights.

The Knights appear to have fully recovered from that ordeal and yesterday surged to a comprehensive win on home turf against Forfarshire in the Midlands derby.

Young seamer Safyaan Shariff inflicted the initial damage on the Broughty Ferry brigade by earning a cheap five-wicket haul.

They reached 192, Kelby Pickering top scoring with 40 and Dougie Philip hitting 39.

Dunfermline were always in control during the pursuit and they completed the rout in the 38th over as skipper Gowtham Rai struck 58 and Ally Gray chipped in with 53.

Saltires veteran Dougie Lockhart amassed a superb century for West of Scotland at Hamilton Crescent, but his effort couldn't prevent Carlton claiming the points in a high-scoring and entertaining encounter.

Fraser Watts had hit an explosive 77 to lay the foundations for Carlton to reach 304. But when Lockhart was at the crease, West looked ready to pull off an amazing triumph. They ran out of steam when it mattered, however, and in spite of an enterprising half-century by teenager Anjan Leuthra, the visitors staved them off.

Tim Weston was another centurion as Watsonians outgunned Clydesdale by five wickets at Myreside. Weston's unbeaten 113, and 47 by Craig Wright, propelled Watsonians home in the final over. Half tons from Zulfi Shahid and Greig Williamson had helped Dale make 231 for eight.

In the First Division, Heriot's thrashed Stenhousemuir to underline their intentions of returning to the top flight as quickly as possible.

It did not look good for the Goldenacre team when they were shot out for a modest 145 at the Tryst. But the bowlers jumped to their rescue by skittling Stenhousemiur for just 103.

Overseas amateur Matthew Thomas was the man who mattered most, taking four wickets for the loss of just nine runs, while Raja Javed took three for 33. Earlier, Adam Lockhart-Krause (55) and Sean Weeraratna (32) were the mainstays of the Heriot's innings.