HERIOT’S are among the early Eastern Premier leaders after completing a second consecutive win over RH Corstorphine at Barnton yesterday.
Both teams had enjoyed opening day success a week earlier so the stakes were high in a derby clash which proved typically hard-fought.
And it was the strength in depth of the Goldenacre side which proved decisive, six of their middle order offering valuable contributions to a total of 216-8 in the face of tight Corstorphine bowling.
Hayes van der Berg’s 38 was the top score but Peter Ross (37) was among the others who chipped-in while Calum Clarkson claimed three wickets for the home team.
Elliot Foster was again in excellent form as Corstorphine made a bright start to their reply, the opener hitting 84 with six fours and three maximums.
However, there was insufficient support and, despite a hard-hitting 33no from Ali Khan, they fell 26 runs short.
Forfarshire proved last week’s win over Grange was no fluke by joining Heriot’s at the top thanks to an impressive 91-run win over Arbroath at Lochlands.
Skipper Umair Mohammed was the visiting hero with 52 runs and five wickets.
Stoneywood-Dyce have also emerged as surprise early pacesetters after claiming their second consecutive win – by three wickets over Watsonians.
In a game reduced to 40 overs at People’s Park, the home team held ‘Sonians to 154-8 before reaching the target with three wickets to spare.
Also in the Granite City Grange bounced back from their opening day defeat to Forfarshire by overpowering Aberdeenshire by 64 runs at Mannofield.
In a match reduced to 34 overs, the champions raced to 255-6, thanks to Scotland star Dylan Budge’s 64-ball 86, supported by Nick Farrar (53) and Oli Hairs (47). The Dons had little to offer in reply.
Farrar and John Blain then claimed two wickets each while James Dickinson starred with 3-43 as Grange flexed their muscles.
Tom Simpson top-scored with 68 as Carlton posted 284-7 at Grange Loan before Ali Evans’ 4-19 helped dismiss Stewarts Melville for 98.
UDDINGSTON have emerged as the Western Premier pacesetters and potential title favourites after battling to a tense two-wicket win over champions Ferguslie at Meikleriggs.
The Bothwell team arrived on top of the table after winning the only game to beat last weekend’s rain and they they made it two wins from two, albeit doing it the hard way.
Uddy looked firm favourites after dismissing the hosts for just 104 but they then lost their way, slumping to 50-8 as Jamey Carruthers and Adil Ghaffar each claimed four wickets.
However, skipper Bryan Clarke and fast bowler Niall Alexander produced a 65-run partnership to seal a thrilling win.
Elsewhere an even lower scoring encounter saw Drumpellier pull of an astonishing win against Greenock at Langloan.
Having bundled out their hosts for a mere 54, Greenock were cruising to victory on 40-1 until a dramatic twist saw them lose six wickets without adding a single run as Drumps grabbed the initiative.
Left-arm spinner Ally Rawlinson did the bulk of the damage with 5-12 while Will Leslie took 3-11 as the visitors fell four runs short, seven of their batsmen recording ducks.
Runs were also at a premium at Shawholm where Prestwick edged out Poloc by just three wickets in a match which saw only one player from either side reach double figures.
Amaan Ramzan’s 40 gave Poloc respectability but Sachin Chaudhary’s 5-12 meant that the Glasgow team were dismissed for just 68.
Despite a brave effort from the home bowlers, Fraser Macdonald’s 38 helped Prestwick squeeze home.
Clydesdale, sent in to bat at New Williamfield, were another team who failed to reach three figures but their 98 proved enough for a 27-run win over Stirling.
West of Scotland were the division’s top scorers, making 174 with Lucas Farndale hitting 46 to pave the way for a 32-run win at East Kilbride.
