UDDINGSTON, who appeared to have taken a huge step towards lifting their first CSL Western Premier Division title with victory over Drumpellier two weeks ago, remain top but only just following a second successive defeat, after Clydesdale cruised to an eight-wicket win at Bothwell Castle Policies.
Visiting captain Majid Haq put the home side in to bat and his decision was vindicated as Uddingston slumped to 13-3. Mo Afzal removed the in-form Amir Gul for just five in the third over, clean bowled Sri Lankan professional Ras Priydarshana for a duck in his next over and five balls later had Saltires star Calum MacLeod caught behind, also without scoring.
Afzal retired from the attack with figures of 3-7 from six overs but his departure brought only temporary respite for Uddingston. Sammy Zia figured in a couple of modest partnerships, adding 39 with Derek Allan, who was adjudged lbw to Mo Ali for 20, and 23 with Gautham Rai.
However, another mini-collapse undermined the hosts' chances of setting a big total, Zia gloving a catch off Ali to Kasim Farid for his side's top score of 22 and Rai bowled by Haq before the board had moved. Haq went on to claim two further wickets, while Nick Martin's spirited 18 ensured that Uddingston reached three figures before the final wicket fell with the total on 126.
Clydesdale's reply got off to a shaky start with the early loss of Anjan Luthra and Shoaib Khan leaving them on 17-2 but Haq and Safyaan Sharif led the visitors to the target with a half-century apiece, the skipper top scoring with a total of 59no that included three boundaries and two maximums.
Arbroath took a huge step towards being crowned Eastern Premier champions with a battling win in their top-of-the-table clash with Aberdeenshire at Lochlands. The visitors, needing victory to head the table, looked on course after dismissing Arbroath for 172. Adrian Neill and Harsha Cooray claimed three wickets each, while Calvin Burnett top scored for the hosts with 66. Aberdeenshire were cruising on 130-3 before Arbroath dug deep to claim the last seven wickets for fewer than 30 runs.
Arbroath now enjoy a 12-point lead over Carlton, who moved second thanks to a fine all-round display from Preston Mommsen. The Saltires captain top scored with 69 of his side's 230-8 and then claimed five wickets to seal a 36-run win over Watsonian.
Grange remain on the fringes, bouncing back from last week's surprise defeat by Watsonian by crushing Heriot's at Portgower Place. Saltires bowler Gordon Goudie claimed 3-30 as Heriot's were dismissed for just 104, with Adam Lockhart-Krause hitting 56. Ryan Flannigan hammered a rapid 46 and George Munsey 38no as Grange raced to a nine-wicket win in just 14.3 overs.
In the relegation clash, Greg Ruthven claimed six wickets to fire SMRH to victory over Stoneywood-Dyce at Inverleith. His 6-26 helped dismiss the Aberdonians for 120, although Michael Louw (42) and Michael Leask (37) offered some resistance. Player-coach Cedric English led the way with 43 as the Edinburgh side won by four wickets with almost 15 overs to spare to leapfrog their visitors at the bottom of the table.
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