GRANGE maintained their 100 per cent record while virtually ending Aberdeenshire's hopes of a successful Eastern Premier title defence with a thrilling win in a rain-affected encounter in the Granite City.

Set a revised target of 129 from 22 overs, the Dons were in the hunt when they managed to keep the required rate of seven runs an over. However, the Grange bowlers, minus unavailable player-coach John Blain, were able to apply the squeeze and took wickets at key moments before clinching a potentially pivotal 11 run D/L success.

The capital side had earlier made 195-7 from their 38 overs with Neil McCallum top-scoring on 64 and Gordon Goudie also posting a half-century, while Tyler Buchan and Harsha Cooray had three wickets each for the Dons.

Carlton recovered from their mauling at the hands of George Munsey to rekindle their title hopes with a thumping win over Falkland at Scroggie Park. A week ago the Grange Loan bowlers were helpless as man-of-the-moment Munsey run amok to score 177no but yesterday it was a different story as the Carlton attack restricted Falkland's batsmen to just 52 between them.

Scotland seamer Ali Evans sparked the mayhem with an early strike thanks to a safe slip catch from fellow cap star Hamish Gardiner. Evans went on to take three scalps, a tally matched by Tom Freshwater, while Gardiner's safe hands snaffled two more slip chances.

Gardiner and Freshwater then took only eight overs to complete the easiest of 10-wicket wins.

Arbroath remain in the title hunt after a commanding performance against Forfarshire at Forthill. The Burnett brothers, Fraser and Calvin, dominated with 50 and 93no in a total of 275-6.

In reply no Forfarshire batsman made any impression, Matty Parker top-scoring with 28 while Craig Ramsay claimed four wickets as the hosts were out for 132.

Elsewhere Stoneywood-Dyce beat Watsonians by 53 runs at People's Park, while Keith Morton took six wickets as Heriot's defeated Corstorphine.

Ayr's grip on their Western Union title loosened when they slumped to a third defeat of the campaign - this time to league leaders Clydesdale at Titwood. It was an agonising reverse for the champions who, having posted 164 thanks largely to 55 from their prolific South African Lenert van Wyk, reduced their rivals to 100-7.

Abdul Sabri led a spirited response from Clydesdale with 62 but 44 were still needed when the former Scotland U19 all-rounder was dismissed. However, Ahmed Chaudhry and Akram Shakoor held their nerve as the Titwood side kept top spot.

Ferguslie and East Kilbride also have designs on the title and it was the latter who boosted their chances with a remarkable 60-run win at Meikleriggs. Chasing 191 for victory, Ferguslie were cruising on 101-1 only for Moneeb Iqbal to turn the match on its head. The Saltires leg-spinner joined the attack to stunning effect with a 10-over spell that brought 6-33.

The Saltires leg-spinner joined the attack to stunning effect with a ten-over spell that brought 6-33.

Muhammad Ramzan claimed the other four wickets, having earlier top-scored with 71 while Jamie Carruthers was the pick of the home bowlers with three top order scalps.

Scott Hamilton starred with five wickets as Kelburne maintained their challenge with victory at Uddingston while Drumpellier lost to Dumfries.

In the battle of the winless two, it was West of Scotland celebrating after a four-wicket success against Renfrew who have slipped to the bottom.