Cricket round-up

But Watson's men shrugged that disappointment aside to secure a morale-boosting three-wicket win at Nunholm.

Having reduced the hosts to 30-3, West were kept waiting as a century stand between Scott Beveridge (67) and Andrew Mascall (57) rekindled Dumfries' challenge.

However, West's bowlers fought back to claim the last seven wickets for just seven runs, with three apiece for Trevor Garwe and James Fennah as Dumfries were restricted to 165.

Watson then gave his side a solid start with a battling 28, an innings which set the tone for the Partick club's reply as a series of modest contributions edged them towards the target while Dumfries stayed in the hunt by claiming wickets at regular intervals.

However, a couple of lusty blows from Dave McNulty eased the tension and got the visitors over the line with 2.4 overs to spare.

Watson said: "It was a brilliant win for the lads. This will give everyone a lift and now we're really looking to get some momentum going.

"We had a good start in both innings before Dumfries fought back really well but we never gave up and got ourselves over the line.

"We've managed two partnerships of 50 for the first wicket in our first two games and from my point of view it's good to be back playing at the higher standard - it certainly gets the adrenalin going."

West's next challenge comes against a Greenock side who must lift themselves following Saturday's nine-wicket reverse at Ayr.

Home skipper Andi McElnea 4-2 from 5.5 overs to help dismiss Greenock for 84 before hitting 37no.

Ferguslie are emerging as the team to beat after securing a second consecutive win against Uddingston at Meikleriggs, the visitors falling 39 runs short of the Paisley team's 169.

Meanwhile, modest Gordon Goudie played down the lethal bowling display that propelled Eastern Premier title favourites Grange to glory against Forfarshire – and diverted praise to home skipper Craig Wallace.

Wallace's superb century at Forthill turned the contest into a much closer affair than seemed likely - and at least gave the Edinburgh outfit a scare.

Needing 251, the hosts rallied to 227 for nine - Wallace hitting 100 not out and seamer Goudie snapping up five for 30.

The latter said: "It was a great all-round performance from the guys, but while Craig was at the crease, they always had a chance.

"Craig stuck it out exceptionally well while his team-mates were falling regularly at the other end.

"It was a very composed and risk free hundred that got them a bit closer than we would have liked."

Goudie's former Scotland colleague Majid Haq starred with five wickets to inspire newly-promoted RHC Lions to victory over Glenrothes at Barnton.

Calvin Burnett's century for Arbroath proved in vain against Aberdeenshire at Mannofield while there were capital derby wins for Carlton and champions Heriot's at the expense of Watsonians and Stewarts Melville respectively.

EASTERN Knights, meanwhile, yesterday launched the defence of their Regional Pro50 title with an emphatic win over Caley Highlanders at Forthill.

Caley skipper Kyle Coetzer elected to bat first but the move soon backfired as a succession of batsmen were sent on their way by a slick Knights bowling attack.

Chris Venske was first to go when he edged a catch to Peter Ross off the bowling of Ali Evans before Coetzer's partnership with Craig Wallace offered hope of a recovery.

The Scotland skipper was in typically belligerent mood, hitting a series of crunching strokes to reach 32 with one maximum and four boundaries.

However, he was deceived by the spin of Mark Watt, offering the bowler a return catch to spark a Caley collapse.

Michael Leask and Safyaan Sharif both departed for ducks to the in-form Gordon Goudie, who followed his five-wicket haul for Grange on the same ground twenty-four hours earlier, by claiming 3-13.

He was upstaged, though, by Watt who returned to the attack to pick up two late wickets including Umair Mohammed who had offered the only meaningful lower order resistance with 29.

Watt finished with 3-13 as Caley were all out for a disappointing 141 with fifteen of their overs un-used.

The Knights didn't have the run-chase all their own way as Sharif and Brock Ditchmen each claimed two wickets.

However, Mike Carson's 44, including six boundaries, kept the champions on course before he was brilliantly run out by Scott Cameron, leaving the in-form Dylan Budge to guide the capital troops home with a composed 31no.

The Knights will bid to build on their opening win when they entertain Western Warriors at The Grange today.