Grange stepped-up their challenge for the Eastern Premier title with a crushing win over SMRH yesterday while leaders Arbroath were frustrated by rain.
With threatening clouds on the horizon, Grange wasted little time in seeing off the challenge of their rivals at Portgower Place.
Former Scotland bowler John Blain turned back the clock to claim three cheap wickets as SMRH quickly regretted their decision to bat.
Blain’s victims included South African Shaylen Pillay who scored a century seven days earlier but had made just two before edging behind to be caught by Harris Carnegie.
The same combination accounted for Elliot Ruthven and Steven Parker and, with James Tapper and Andrew Brock also striking and a needless run out further hampering the visitors, SMRH were in disarray on 34-6.
Greg Ruthven and Andrew Tetley dug-in to reach double figures but Avinash Yadav accounted for the pair of them before James Dickinson also grabbed a brace to clean up the tail as the Inverleith side slid to 71 all out.
Grange lost Scott Blain early in the run-chase but Jonathan Brock (20no) and former Scotland skipper Preston Mommsen (38no) guided Grange to a nine-wicket win.
On the other side of the capital Arbroath’s eagerly anticipated clash with Watsonians at Myreside was cancelled after only nineteen deliveries.
Heriot’s made just 114-9 in a 25-over clash with Carlton at Goldenacre but it proved enough to secure a 23-run win, meaning both Heriot’s and Grange have closed the gap a little on Arbroath.
Falkland celebrated their first win of the season at Aberdeenshire’s expense, former Dons professional Harsha Cooray scoring 78no for the Fifers at Scroggie Park in a four-wicket success after Aaron Paul had claimed 4-18 as ‘Shire were restricted to 146-9 from 46 overs.
Forfarshire’s meeting with Glenrothes was abandoned.
MEANWHILE Western Premier leaders Prestwick remain on course for the title after a century from Sachin Chaudhary helped them to a precious derby win over Ayr at Cambusdoon.
The Indian star watched as Prestwick made the worst possible start, losing both openers with just three runs on the board.
Despite losing the free-scoring Neil Smith and Michael Papps early, Ayr were still in contention when skipper Andi McElnea compiled a fine 69.
But when he was run out, the home side slumped to 184 all out, Willie Rowan’s 3-30 including the big scalp of Papps.
