CARLTON yesterday confirmed their status as genuine CS Eastern Premier division title contenders with a convincing win over Forfarshire at Grange Loan.

Both sides had enjoyed promising starts to the campaign and it was the visitors who were quickly into their stride as the in-form Craig Wallace seized an early initiative with some crashing drives. However, the 'Shire captain, who has already registered centuries for both his club side and the Highlanders, was unable to convert a useful start on this occasion, instead finding himself bowled by Tom Freshwater for 24 with the total on 47.

It was to provide a vital momentum swing in favour of the hosts who went on to claim wickets at regular intervals.

The introduction of Omar Ahmad brought immediate reward as he removed both Graeme Beghin and Matty Parker in his first over.

Freshwater struck another telling blow when he removed the dangerous Michael Leask and, at 70-4, the visitors were in trouble.

They lost another two wickets to Scotland U19 spinner Chayank Gosain who went on to claim 5-16, while Elliot McCandless offered some late resistance, his 22 taking the Forthill side to a total of 160.

Carlton suffered an early blow in their chase when the Scotland opener was bowled by Scott Cameron for 18. However Fraser Watts led the chase with a hard-hitting 59 before being caught in the covers by Umair Mohammed off Leask.

It was left to national skipper Preston Mommsen and one of his predecessors in that role, Gordon Drummond, to see their side to an eight-wicket success with 48no and 25no respectively.

Carlton boast a 100% record from three games but champions Aberdeenshire made it four wins on the trot when they prevailed in the Granite City derby at People's Park. Set a revised D/L target of 230 after Stoneywood had made 227 in a rain-affected innings, Aberdeenshire had useful contributions throughout but it was Sri Lankan Harsha Cooray who top-scored with an unbeaten 53.

Grange can boast a similar record to the Dons but only after digging deep to beat their fierce rivals Heriot's at Goldenacre.

The visitors appeared to have under-performed when they could only muster 166-9, George Munsey top scoring with 42.

However, they fought back superbly in the field with former Saltires batsman Neil McCallum emerging as their unlikely bowling hero, claiming four wickets as Heriot's were hustled out for 121 despite a valiant half-century from Peter Ross.

There were two standout performances at East Barnton where Scotland all-rounder Safyaan Sharif scored a brilliant unbeaten 101- exactly half his side's tally - against RH Corstorphine for whom Dan Payne claimed 6-31.

It was Sharif's contribution which proved decisive in a 40-run success.

Arbroath, the 2013 champions, had a five-wicket success against Watsonians at Lochlands.

In the West, the rain did a good job of spoiling derby day as a series of eagerly anticipated encounters failed to go the distance, despite the best efforts of ground-staff, players and umpires. It was particularly galling for Clydesdale whose spin-twins Con de Lange and Mo Ali shared seven wickets to dismiss West of Scotland for just 101 at Hamilton Crescent.

The visitors were just 16 runs short of a revised target with eight wickets in hand when the elements had the final say as puddles formed on the square.

There was similar frustration for East Kilbride who were on course for victory at Renfrew after dismissing their hosts for 96 and cruising to 45-2 in reply. However, the match was abandoned as a "no result" after just eight overs of the visitors' innings.

Even less play was possible at Meikleriggs where the potential fireworks of a Paisley duel between Ferguslie and Kelburne fizzled out as a damp squib.