Cricket: Promoted pair Forfarshire and Dunfermline off to a flyer

FORFARSHIRE vice-captain Umair Mohammed led by example with bat and ball as the newly-promoted side got off to the perfect start to life in the SNCL Premier Division on Saturday.

He top scored with 40 not out as his side managed to make it over the 200 mark against Watsonians on a tricky wicket at Forthill. In the end they made 203-7, with National Academy prospect Matthew Parker chipping in with 36 on his debut after his move from Arbroath and skipper Ryan Watson making 35. Spinner Ross Paxton started the season well for the visitors, taking 4-36 following a decent spell.

In reply Watsonians – with new signings Stuart Chalmers, Tim Weston and Craig Wright in the line-up – were always struggling with the run rate and eventually made 147 to lose by 56 runs, despite 59 from James Easton.

Fellow promoted side Dunfermline Knights also had a dream start with victory over reigning champions Aberdeenshire at McKane Park.

Things had not started so well for the hosts when skipper Gowtham Rai departed early and then Wayne Sullivan, back at the club after over a decade away, retired with an ankle problem.

However, South African pro Alistair Gray then showed what a handful he will be this summer with a superb 82. Good contributions from other middle order members saw the hosts past 200 and up to a competitive looking 211-5 in a match reduced to 45-overs a side.

Michael Parlane, Aberdeenshire's new Kiwi, put up the most resistance for the men from the north, but the Knights bowling attack functioned well.

Overseas amateur Marshall Bunting and Gray took three wickets apiece and new spinner Aparajit Singh impressed with two caught and bowled wickets as Aberdeenshire could only make 172-8.

McCrea FS West, who finished third in 2009, opened with a defeat of Uddingston at Hamilton Crescent.

On a tough batting track Gregg Watson and skipper Ian Young both hit 37 to help get their side up to 171-6 from 50 overs, with former Scotland man Paul Hoffman claiming three wickets for the visitors.

Rasika Priyadarshana showed the talents he will bring to the Scottish game with 69 for Uddingston in reply, but not enough of the Sri Lankan's teammates stuck with him. As a result they were bundled out for 132, Kiwi Leighton Burtt picking up three wickets for McCrea FS West on debut.

Over at Glenpark, Greenock and Clydesdale contested a hard-fought match with the visitors having Scotland duo Qasim Sheikh and Majid Haq to thank for setting them up for a 43-run victory.

Sheikh, who had been a doubt through injury, top scored with 51 and all-rounder Haq weighed in with 42 as Clydesdale posted 202-7 batting first in a match reduced to 48-overs a side. National Academy seamer Willie Rowan started the season with 5-25 for Greenock.

In reply, veteran Greig Williamson was the main man with the ball for Clydesdale, his 4-40 seeing Kevin McLaren's men fall short in their run chase.

Finally, at Grange Loan Grange came out on top in the Edinburgh derby against Carlton thanks to half centuries from skipper Sanjay Patel and Neil McCallum.

Batting first Grange recovered from the early losses of Oli Hairs and Cammy Coles to post 218-6 from their 45 overs. Opener Patel, playing just two days after his father passed away, led the way with 76 and McCallum made 53.

In reply Carlton were in trouble early on. Gregor Maiden, Andy Wilson and South African newcomer Iain Worth took two wickets apiece to bowl the hosts out for 180.