SNCL Premiership: Lucky Burnett lays the praise at brother's feet

CALVIN Burnett reckoned Friday the 13th was one of his luckiest days as he scooped £50 on the gaming machine in the Arbroath clubhouse - and the weekend just got better and better as he produced another fine all-round display to help the Lichties thump Aberdeenshire in the first-ever north-east derby at SNCL top flight level.

Burnett shrugged off his own tidy performance to heap praise on big brother and skipper Fraser, whose innings of 113 laid the foundations for the triumph at Mannofield. Deputy captain Calvin declared: "Fraser was simply awesome. Not only did he score a pile of important runs, it was the way he paced his innings that made it so impressive."

Drumpellier veteran Graeme McLaren experienced mixed emotions after failing to capitalise on a marvellous century by new pro Jeevantha Kulatanga against joint table-toppers Forfarshire. While the Lanarkshire side provided the individual fireworks at Forthill, the hosts had the strength in depth to make sure they retained their 100 per cent SNCL top flight record.

The home brigade had posted a total of 263 for four, with Scott Galloway (65 not out) and Aman Bailwal (51 not out) in fine form.

Then came Kulatunga's stunning knock of 124, which lasted only 80 balls. He was well supported by McLaren (31), but after he departed wickets fell cheaply and Drumps ended 36 adrift of the a mended target of 284 in 46 overs.

Scotland stumper Gregor Maiden was another centurion as he helped champions Grange edge past Dunfermline in a tense affair at McKane Park. Maiden struck 104 at Warren McSkimming 75 to guide them to 273 for six - Vasu Reddy taking four for 43. Safyaan Sharif continued his fine sequence by making 90 and Weinand Schmitt got 72 for the Knights, but they fell short by just six runs.

Struggling giants Greenock broke their duck by coming out on top in a low-scoring tussle with West of Scotland - thanks in no small part to unlikely bowling hero Chris Bellwood.

The former Dumfries man seldom figures prominently in the attack, but he made up for lost time by grabbing a five-scalp haul at Hamilton Crescent as the hosts were shot out for only 94.

Greenock's reply was far from convincing and they had to rely on pro Luke Butterworth's gritty 37 to make sure of the points.

Stoneywood-Dyce created one of the biggest shocks of the season thus far by turning over Uddingston at Bothwell Castle Policies. Uddy were restricted to 162 for seven before the Aberdonians cruised to glory.

A knock of 104 by former New Zealand Test hero Michael Papps couldn't prevent Ayr going down to Carlton at Grange Loan.

Half centuries by Tim Weston and Stuart Chalmers for Watsonians at Myreside snuffed out the challenge of Stirling County. And there were two 50s for Heriot's from Adam Lockhart-Krause and Peter Ross which let them power past Clydesdale at Titwood.