Spinners seize chance to shine for Grange

GRANGE were indebted to their spinners as they beat Watsonians on Saturday and remained unbeaten at the top of the SNCL Premier Division.

With frontline bowlers Stuart Davidson and Giles Holmes unavailable, Grange were dealt a further blow at Myreside when Gregor Maiden cut his hand during the warm-up and was unable to bowl.

Chasing Grange's 286-7, Watsonian openers Ryan Flannigan and James Easton started well, prompting seamer Michael Enos to be taken out of the attack. However, fellow seamer Micky Thomas secured the key wicket of Easton for 38, the batsman mistiming a shot and skying it straight to Iain Worth.

Spinner Andy Wilson then accounted for Flannigan before South African youngster Worth got Watsonians pro Tim Weston out when the New Zealander edged behind to wicketkeeper Simon Smith.

Ex-Grange man Stuart Chalmers and Craig Wright then set about rebuilding the Watsonians innings, and while both remained at the crease the home side looked on course to chase down the large total.

That was until teenager Oli Hairs – who had earlier compiled a typically hard-hitting 102 with the bat – managed to pick up the wickets of both batsmen with his occasional spinners.

Wright went for 69 and Chalmers for 51 as the Watsonians effort petered out and they finished on 265 all out, Worth picking up 3-37.

The 21-run victory for Grange, for whom Cammy Coles had also hit 95, means they have won four out of four in the league so far and are the only unbeaten team left in the top flight.

Forfarshire, who topped the table prior to the weekend, suffered their first league defeat since promotion on Saturday.

Uddingston won a thriller at Bothwell Castle by one wicket after Sameer Zia, batting at number ten, held his nerve to hit a six and see his side home. Batting first, Forfarshire had made 188, pro Kelby Pickering top scoring with 56, before Uddingston chased their target down in an exciting finale.

Dunfermline got back on track after last week's loss to Grange with a nine-wicket victory over McCrea FS West at McKane Park.

Opener Wayne Sullivan made 87 not out and South African Alistair Gray made and unbeaten 104 as they coasted past the 204 set by the visitors. With the ball, Vasu Reddy took 3-25, including the key scalp of West skipper Ian Young for 80.

Cedric English made an immediate impact on his return to action for Carlton, the former Scotland cap taking two wickets after opening the bowling and then hitting 73 not out to see his side to a win over Greenock. The struggling visitors had done well to get up to 232-7 batting first at Grange Loan, captain Kevin McLaren leading the way with 67. Teenager Alex Baum also showed that he is benefiting from continued first XI exposure with a well-worked 60 not out.

In reply, Fraser Watts and Preston Mommsen showed why they are regarded as one of the best opening partnerships in the country with 52 and 97 respectively as the home side comfortably reached their target with eight wickets to spare, with English and vice-captain Steve Gilmour there at the end.

Greenock's misery was compounded with an injury to Courtney Kruger that will be assessed this week.

Aberdeenshire made easy work of their afternoon at Titwood, bowling out hosts Clydesdale for just 107. In-form Tyler Buchan led the way with 3-10 and then the visitors reached their target with four wickets down, pro Michael Parlane finishing on 55 not out in Glasgow.