Raven crows over West Lothian's teenage battlers

REMEMBER the names Gregor Thomson and Mikey Miller. That was the tip from West Lothian stalwart Andy Raven in the wake of their remarkable "bounce back" victory over Championship title rivals Poloc.

The Glasgow side had gone into the Boghall battle as slight favourites, but at the tender age of 15, Thomson hogged the limelight as he destroyed the visiting batting line-up.

And Miller - just 14 - scored an unbeaten 30 to steer the home side to glory by nine wickets. Rookie Gregor snapped up five for 34, with pro Carl Huyser and overseas amateur Tinus Huyser among his victims.

Then Miller held his nerve in impressive fashion against the talented Poloc attack.

"This was a great result for us - and what a performance from these two young lads," enthused Raven.

"There is no doubt that youth cricket at Boghall is on a high with these boys being products of Kruger van Wyk's development academy!

"To be fair to Poloc they did not turn up and I'm sure they will be a different beast when we play them in the playoffs should we both qualify.

"This weekend was all about bouncing back after our East Kilbride disaster and I think we did that in style.

"Despite the low scores huge credit must go to Davie Fleming and the ground staff for producing a dream of wicket."

Poloc were shot out for a mere 94, Thomson and Clinton Dixon sharing an eight-wicket haul.

Only Hasan Akram was able to offer meaningful resistance, scoring 35.

East Kilbride ended the winning sequence of Weirs, thanks mainly to a century by Hari Singh and Shahid Mahmood's four wickets.

David Stafford also notched a ton to inspire Ferguslie to success against Penicuik.

Dumfries also got back on tracks with a nervy success in a low-scoring encounter with Kelburne.

They feared the worst when they were bundled out for only 117, but Scott Beveridge snapped up six cheap scalps to send the Paisley brigade hurtling to 88 all out.

Freuchie got back on winning tracks in the SNCL Championship - edging out SMRH.

Robbie Birrell (54) and Dale Cowan (four for 40) were the men who mattered most.

Falkland felt the full force of form horses Renfrew as they plunged to a seven-wicket defeat at King George V Playing Fields.

And Stenhousemuir's woes deepened with a hammering at the hands of Corstorphine.