UMAIR Mohammed, the captain of table-topping Forfarshire, experienced one of the more bizarre days of his cricketing career on Saturday.
He had warmed up for the encounter with Stonywood-Dyce and was all set to lead his side out on to the Forthill turf to field, but then he had to hastily alter his plans, strip off his whites and jump into his car – leaving his team-mates to surge to another victory.
Umair explained: “It was only 10 minutes before the start of the match that my wife went into labour and I had to make the dash from Broughty Ferry to Edinburgh!”
The skipper was kept in the loop by text by spectators back at the club and he learned that Forfarshire had triumphed in emphatic style by eight wickets.
Scott Cameron and Jack Hogarth each bagged three as Stoneywood-Dyce reached a normally creditable 177. The target proved to be a piece of cake for the hosts as the galloped to glory in only 19.1 overs.
Michael Leask led the charge against his old club mates, hammering 72 not out, combining in an explosive unbroken partnership with Chris Greaves, who made 62. Earlier, fellow Scotland international Craig Wallace had hit 33.
Champions Grange were also in a merciless mood at Raeburn Place as they demolished a depleted Arbroath outfit. A superb century by Lochlands pro Wihan Lubbe spurred them on to post a tally of 203 all out.
However, it proved to be a straightforward chase for the home brigade. Tom Mackintosh (66 not out) and Olly Hairs (50) were the destroyers-in-chief as they completed the eight-wicket win.
Earlier, Jamie Cairns, Hairs and Tom Foulds each picked up three Arbroath scalps.
Scotland legend Majid Haq turned back the clock at Mannofield to inspire RCH to a crucial victory over struggling Aberdeenshire. The spinner bowled a total of 41 deliveries, conceding just three runs while picking up a four-wicket haul.
His efforts strangled Shire, who were skittled for 68.
Maj then held his nerve with the bat to strike 28 not out and steer home the capital outfit for the loss of three men.
There was an upset in the north Edinburgh derby at Inverleith, where Stew-Mel made the most of the tricky conditions to out-gun Heriot’s.
In the south Edinburgh battle at Grange Loan, it was Carlton who emerged as the victors, bowling Watsonians out for 137 in reply to 194.
