THE weather was the big winner at the weekend when four of the scheduled five Premier Division matches succumbed at various stages to the rain.

Given the sodden conditions that confronted cricketers throughout the west it was perhaps inevitable that there was even a dampener for the one team that did manage to beat the elements and their opponents.

Dumfries emerged victorious from their clash with champions Ayr at Nunholm but cold water was poured on their celebrations when they learned that, for the second time this season, they had been docked points for failing to submit their score in time.

The club, already in discussions with WDCU officials over the deduction of five points following their opening-day win over Uddingston, refused to comment on the latest punishment pending their own internal investigation.

However, there was some sympathy from defeated captain Andi McElnea who said: "I think for Dumfries it's a tough penalty. Five points is a lot especially the first time. Failing to submit a score has no impact on the outcome of the league but I didn't expect it to happen twice."

McElnea was much more hard-hitting with his comments on his own team's performance as hopes of a successful title defence took a first dent following wins on the opening two weeks of the campaign. Ayr had bowled and fielded extremely well to restrict their rivals to 199-6 though Dumfries showed a lot more resolve with the bat than they had done seven days earlier in collapsing to 65 all out at Kelburne.

Stuart Corbett-Byers led the way with a typically pugnacious 47no while skipper Robert McBride played his part with 35no in an unbroken stand which ultimately proved decisive. There was also 33 from man-of-the-match Alan Davidson whose main contribution was to come in the way that he ripped through Ayr's batting to claim 7-40 as the visitors were dismissed for 172.

Among the Cambusdoon batsmen, only South African professional Lenert van Wyk resisted Davidson and his colleagues with a brilliant 92 while Callum Leck dug in at the end.

McElnea added: "It was a woeful batting display. Only Callum Leck batting at 10 showed any application to what should have been a straightforward chase.

"Lenert was awesome and played magnificently but we let him down. On the plus side I think it's the best seam bowling display from the team. We bowled well as a unit first 25 overs."

Elsewhere the rain did a pretty 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, for whom Paddy Barbour was going strong on 47 not out, were just 16 runs short of a revised target with eight wickets in hand when the elements had the final say with the match 3.2 overs short of an official contest.

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. It was a similar story at Langloan where the Lanarkshire rivalries of Drumpellier and Uddingston were doused.

Range captain Andrew Brock hailed the influence of new player-coach John Blain after his side's capital derby triumph over Heriot's.

Brock believes the former Scotland, Yorkshire and Northants paceman has added grit and attitude to his already naturally talented squad.

"John has been excellent in all facets since he arrived, " said Brock "He has had a big influence on the first team - and also on the junior section from a coaching perspective."We are always keen to give youth an opportunity, and the likes of Tom Sole and George Munsey have taken their chances well. Couple that to the experience of Neil McCallum and you have a powerful blend."

Munsey (42) and Brock (32) provided the backbone of the Grange innings of 166 for nine in hostile conditions at Goldenacre. Blain then struck an instant blow by removing David Ross lbw for a ruck before two quick strikes by Raj Routray left the hosts struggling on nine for three. David Ross dug deep to halt the immediate rot with 57, but the Heriot's alarm bells were ringing again when spinners Sole and McCallum were in harness.

Veteran McCallum took four for 17, Sole two for 32 to complete the 47-run win.

Another spinner to grab the limelight was Carlton's Cheeky Gosain as Forfarshire came a cropper at Grange Loan. The youngster earned a five-wicket haul at a cost of only 16 in eight overs to send the Broughty Ferry brigade sliding to 160 all out after an opening stand of 47 from Matty Parker and Craig Wallace.

Fraser Watts (59) and Preston Mommsen (48 not out), then blunted the Forfarshire attack to guide Carlton over the line with plenty to spare.

Saffyan Sharif boosted his hopes of a Scotland recall as he struck an accomplished century which propelled Falkland to a convincing success at the expense of RH Corstorphine at Inverleith. Sharif was part of the World Cup squad, only to become the only member not to be selected in any of the matches in New Zealand and Australia. But he insisted his hunger to figure in the national set-up has not been diminished. Sharif, who hit 101 out of the Fifers' total of 202, said: "It was a great team performance and I was delighted to reach three figures. "There are still aspects we need to improve on, but I am sure that will be sorted as the campaign progresses. My aim is always to contribute as much as possible in every match I play. I hope to do enough to be considered for the upcoming T20 World Cup qualifying tournament."

Brendan Ford (40) and Calvin Burnett (35 not out) held their nerve as Arbroath snuffed out Watsonians at Lochlands, making it two wins on the trot. Craig Ramsay and Elton Willemse had laid the foundations by sharing seven wickets as Sonians were all out for 194. And Aberdeenshire preserved their unbeaten record by staving off the challenge of neighbours Stoneywood-Dyce in a rain-affected tussle at Peoples Park..

Eastern Championship: Seldom Scottish domestic cricket scene do two batsmen from a team notch centuries in the same match - but it happened at Arboretum Road, with Chris Greaves and Vasu Reddy of Glenrothes in the spotlight. Hosts Holy Cross had high hopes of creating an upset when they captured three early wickets, but they had no answer when the dynamic due got into their stride. Each was undefeated on 108, posting an impressive tally of 260 in 45 overs and in less than ideal conditions.

Steve McOscar (65) offered stern resistance when Holy Cross launched their response, but they never threatened to thwart the Fifers and ended on 162 for nine. Brad Moses of SMRH was also in prime nick as they snatched the scalp of Freuchie on home turf. First, Moses stunted the progress of the visitors by taking four for 26 in their 231 all out - Ian Stonebridge hitting 69. Then he cruised to 101 not out - Greg Ruthven supporting well with 64 not out - to guide SMRH to the target in 45 overs with seven wickets in hand. The Everett clan were to the fore when MDAFS could not take home advantage against Carlton seconds.

Craig Everett made 35 as the visitors reached 174 all out. Callum Everett then carried on the good work by removing three MDAFS batsmen for 25, helping to secure the 40-run success.