FALKLAND proved their early season prowess has been no flash in the pan as they demolished Stoneywood-Dyce to make it three wins out of three in the Eastern Premiership

FALKLAND proved their early season prowess has been no flash in the pan as they demolished Stoneywood-Dyce to make it three wins out of three in the Eastern Premiership

The Fifers made a mockery of the home side's decision to field after winning the toss, battling to 180-7 before skittling Stoneywood for a miserable 35, thanks to the accuracy of Safyaan Shariff and Ryan Hepburn, who each claimed five wickets.

Champions Arbroath recovered from last week's defeat at Falkland to secure a morale-boosting and remarkable win against Carlton at Lochlands. Having been dismissed for just 129, the Angus side were second favourites at the halfway stage but they produced a thrilling fightback to win by 47 runs.

Carlton found it tough to survive - let alone keep the scoreboard ticking over - as batting became no easier later in the day. Indeed, it looked even more difficult for the visitors who could not cope with the fast bowling trio of Max Parker, Brendon Ford and Calvin Burnett, all of whom claimed three wickets as Carlton tumbled to 82 all out in 36.3 overs. It spoke volumes of their batting effort that the top scorer was Extras with 21.

Earlier, the home side had made a solid start, putting on 21 before wickets began to tumble in alarming fashion. Unsurprisingly, it was seamer Gordon Drummond who sparked the collapse, accounting for both openers before bringing off a spectacular slip catch off the bowling of Tom Feshwater to reduce the hosts to 25-3.

Even worse was to come for Arbroath as Fraser Burnett was clean bowled by Omar Ahmad's first delivery. And when the fifth scalp was seized by Ruari Macpherson with the tally on 33, it seemed unlikely that the contest would even last until the tea interval.

But skipper Marc Petrie and Calvin Burnett halted the rot with a battling stand of 59. Burnett's effort proved decisive, the Scotland all-rounder facing just 60 balls for his 50 and striking three boundaries and three maximums.

Carlton, though, must still have felt in control when they managed to pick up the last couple of wickets cheaply but the absence of Preston Mommsen, Fraser Watts and Ali Evans proved too much to overcome.

The remaining three Premier matches were rained off.