SNCL Week 9 Reports: Premier Division

Defending a total of 235-6, the Mannofield men looked in some trouble when the home side cruised to 132-2 after 34 overs. However, a devastating five-wicket burst from Chris West tilted the match decisively in favour of Aberdeenshire who went on to complete a comfortable 38-run win.

Tom Plant appeared to have the run-chase under control for Uddingston, the Australian notching his fourth half-century of the season on his way to 92.

He had fine support from Amir Gul and Vinnie Bird following the early loss of Paul Hoffmann who skied a catch to Neil MacRae off Tyler Buchan.

Gul stroked a composed 18 before playing across the line and losing his middle stump to Scotland U19 seamer Richie Lamb.

Bird's 29 then helped Plant add 73 for the third wicket before West struck in spectacular fashion.

He had Bird caught in the gully during the first over of his comeback spell but then claimed three wickets in his next over before finishing with 5-41, three of his victims clean bowled.

There was still hope while Plant was at the crease but he was eventually caught by Grant Rodden off MacRae while teenager Neil MacLeod showed commendable defiance before being run out for 24 as an Uddingston run-chase fell away dismally for the second week in a row.

Earlier Aberdeenshire looked on course for a total in excess of 250 following an opening stand of 156 between Todd Astle and Rodden.

The pair showed necessary restraint in the face of some tight Uddingston bowling especially from Hoffmann who opened up with two maidens from the pavilion end.

Astle, the New Zealand professional, showed his class with a delightful cover drive off Gavin Bradley while Aussie amateur Rodden matched him by pulling a short Plant delivery to the mid-wicket boundary.

Indeed Rodden accelerated with some belligerent hitting to reach the half-century eight overs ahead of his partner.

Having reached his 50, Astle opened out with a straight six off David Bill but, having reached 66, missed a straight one from Plant and was given out lbw.

Ayaz Gul became Plant's second victim before Rodden and Ian Brand got the visitors back on course.

However, when Hoffmann returned to the attack to bowl Brand for 30, the Dons proceeded to lose four wickets for nine runs in a mini-collapse which put Uddingston back in contention.

Rodden was eventually bowled by Bradley five runs short of a century.

Rain played havoc with the four scheduled matches in the capital, with the Grange-Clydesdale game called off, although the other games produced results. Heriot's boosted their survival chances and plunged Greenock deeper into the mire with a last-ball win at Goldenacre and it also went to the wire at Myreside where Watsonians scored the runs they needed to overhaul Ayr's 201-3, denying the visitors their first win of the season. Carlton produced an excellent run-chase to overhaul West of Scotland in a match reduced to 30 overs.

Stirling strengthened their position at the top of division one with a 201-run thumping of Stenhousemuir at New Williamfield while Zaheed Mohammed scored a brilliant undefeated 121 in Drumpellier's win at Ferguslie.