IT appears there is nothing in Scottish cricket as dangerous as a Falkland side suffering pain and dented pride.
That certainly seemed to be the case at Raeburn Place on Saturday as the Fifers pulled off one of the biggest surprises in recent Premiership history, beating Grange a week after suffering a heavy loss at the hands of Carlton.
Club stalwart Ryan Hepburn said: "It was all about determination and heart. The boys were really hurting in the wake of what Carlton did to us and emotions certainly surged to the opposite extreme in one fell swoop.
"There can be no better feeling than to beat a huge club such as Grange, especially after they had been in such fantastic form, winning all their previous matches of the campaign."
Opener Jack Henderson defied the pace of John Blain to make 82. Normally, a target of 190 would not have created tremors among the home ranks, but they folded in the face of some pinpoint bowling by Brock Ditchmen and Cloete Buitendag.
Grange cling on at the head of the title race, but the Falkland upset enabled Carlton and Arbroath to narrow the leeway, thanks to decisive victories over Watsonians and Stoneywood-Dyce respectively.
Craig Ramsay emerged as the potent force for Arbroath, grabbing five for 15 at Lochlands. Elton Willemse also had two wickets as his former team slithered to 139 all out, leaving the stage clear for Brendon Ford (54) and Ross McLean (49) to complete the job.
Former Scotland captain Ryan Watson turned back the clock with an unbeaten 116 to propel Forfarshire to an equally clinical win at Corstorphine.
Liam Sweeney (six for 30) had restricted the Edinburgh side to 174 all out before Watson lit the fireworks in a pursuit that lasted only 30 overs.
Fraser Watts was another Scotland old boy in the groove, hitting 78 not out in Carlton's 44-run stroll at Myreside. And Hayes van der Berg made 109 to inspire Aberdeenshire to a clear-cut success over Heriot's at Goldenacre.
Fifteen-year-old Findlay Anderson also attracted the limelight for the Dons, capturing three scalps.
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