IT wasn't so long ago that the G-Forces – Grange and Greenock – dominated the Scottish domestic cricket scene.
This season it has been the A-Teams who have held sway, in the Eastern Premiership at any rate. And this morning it is Arbroath who sit proudly at the summit, thanks to their comprehensive triumph over Aberdeenshire at Mannofield.
It was the battle of the only two sides boasting a 100% record, so something had to give, and the recent north-east derby trend continued with the visitors taking the honours.
Responding to Arbroath's 253 for eight, the hosts could only reach 151 for five when the rain arrived, a margin of 27 runs by the D/L system. The chase had been launched in shaky style, with Shire sliding to 17 for two, but Harsha Cooray and Chris Venske halted the rot and got their team back in the hunt.
However, when Cooray was snapped up by Darren Spink off Craig Ramsay and Venske was trapped in front for 81 by Greig Peal, the tide turned in favour of the Lochlands brigade.
Earlier, Arbroath had got off to a ropey start as they lost Brendan Ford for a duck with the tally on one.Hamish Bartlett and Ross McLean each went for 16 to make it 60-3, but two solid partnerships featuring Fraser Burnett blunted the Aberdeenshire threat.
First, the former skipper added 67 with Darren Spink before the latter chipped a return catch to Harsha Cooray for 21. Then Burnett – in tandem with new captain Marc Petrie – figured in a sparkling stand of 79. He looked on course for a deserved century, but his vigil ended seven short of the ton as his stumps were destroyed by Tyler Buchan.
Petrie kept up the momentum with Benny McGill before he perished for a quick 50. McGill's unbeaten 24 from 18 deliveries was every bit as precious, but it was down to earth with a bump for Bryce Carnegie.Having been hoisted up to the first team in the wake of his maiden hundred for the seconds, he was out first ball going for fast runs at the death. Pro Daya Singh was the pick of the home attack, picking up four for 44 from his 10-over stint – including a hat-trick.
Fraser Watts hit 74 not out and Kyle Stirling 41 not out to steer Carlton to victory in the south Edinburgh derby with Watsonians at Myreside. Andy Learmonth had struck a superb 96 to propel Sonians to 229 for six, but it proved an easy target for their local rivals, for whom Hamish Gardner made 73 before Watts and Stirling got together.
John Blain and Mark Gilchrist shared a seven-wicket haul to pave the way for West of Scotland's Western Premier demolition job on Stirling County. And Drumpellier got the better of Nunholm after the home side had rattled up more than 100 for their first wicket.
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