Victory over Ferguslie shows how far East Kilbride have come in a short time

FIVE years ago, East Kilbride secretary David Healey would have laughed scornfully if anyone had suggested that his team would ever beat Ferguslie on the national league stage.

No wonder, then, Healey couldn't contain his pride after watching that very result unfold in the SNCL Championship at Torrance House. He said: "It is quite incredible how far we have come in such a short time. The fact that we are not only competing with sides like Ferguslie but actually getting the better of them is remarkable."

In a tense and fluctuating affair, Ferguslie made 199 for nine - perhaps 50 below par for the track, according to Healey. The hosts then weathered a major dose of the jitters to seal the fate of the Paisley team in 45 overs.

Healey said: "The fact that we were without internationalist Ross Lyons made the outcome all the more noteworthy. If you look at the stats of the campaign you will see we have not had to rely on individuals - our wins have been down to teamwork with so many guys contributing at crucial times.

"The picture had not looked all that bright in the early stages when Ferguslie's openers, Gregor Preston-Jones and Michael English, took advantage of our slack bowling.

"But the change attack not only stemmed the flow of runs, they grabbed a series of important scalps."

Healey added: "We had more worries when we were rocked by a mid-innings collapse, however our overseas amateur Peter Bocock and Stuart Kampman steadied the ship. The victory may not have been as comfortable as it might have been but the bottom line is that, not so long ago, it would have been pie in the sky to think that we would beat Ferguslie at this level."

Preston-Jones (31) and David Stafford (30) were the main Ferguslie run- makers, while Hari Singh (49), Craig Smith (41) and Kampman (32) did the business for EK.

The all-round skills of West Lothian pro Kruger van Wyk were underlined yet again but this time with the ball.

He took off the keeper's gloves and pads to destroy Edinburgh Accies at Raeburn Place with a burst of five for 14 then followed up with an unbeaten 39 as the county eased home by six wickets, chasing 177.

David Harper was the Kelburne ton-up star, hitting an impressive 102 not out in their win over Freuchie at Whitehaugh.

In spite of Junaid Mahsood's awkward bowling (four for for 37), the home brigade reached 249 for six - well beyond the scope of the Fifers.

They were shot out for 142, with Harper also starring weith the ball as he took three for 36.

Harry Cooray was also in great nick for Falkland, who halted their sequence of defeats by Poloc.

Kooray hit 73 at Shawholm to inspire the visitors to 216 for five - then routed the Glaswegians with five for 16 as they were all out 64 runs adrift.

As expected, Dumfries swept aside the challenge of Penicuik at Kirkhill, while Stenhousemuir and Renfrew accounted for SMRH and Weirs respectively.