IT was a day of abject frustration for Scotland’s cricketing fraternity as the weather once again played havoc with a series of eagerly anticipated clashes in both the Eastern and Western Premiers.
Indeed, despite several fixtures getting under way, only one in either division reached a conclusion, the geographical extremes of the Granite City and Greenock providing respite from the rain.
It proved an exciting one at Mannofield as the home side dug deep to add another win to last week’s success against leaders Arbroath.
Skipper Chris Venske led by example with a hard-hitting 55 as ‘Shire posted 204 while Aidan Justus claimed 3-27 for the Fifers.
Glenrothes, aiming to consolidate their place in the top four, looked as if they might do that when they needed just 36 from the final six overs, Justus having added 76 runs to his wicket-taking exploits while Vasu Reddy was going well though running out of partners.
However, the home bowlers applied the squeeze – Venske claiming 4-44 – as ‘Shire secured a 25-run win, Reddy stranded on 49no.
Elsewhere, there was an intriguing contest in prospect after third placed Heriot’s posted 229-8 at Arbroath. However, the leaders didn’t get the chance to reply before the heavens opened.
Rain also had the decisive say at Forthill where Watsonians had reached 109-3 against Forfarshire while the matches at Carlton and Grange never started.
MEANWHILE Kelburne were finally celebrating their first Western Premier win of the season after a low-scoring encounter with Greenock at Glenpark, though it is doubtful if this match would have gone the distance had the home side not used up just 31.5 overs in slumping to just 59 all out.
Jamie Macdonald was the executioner-in-chief with 4-16 from ten testing overs, ably backed by Stevie McLister who claimed 3-24 while Shailesh Prbhu was the only Greenock batsmen to reach double figures with 16.
Kelburne looked as if they might blow their big chance when they slumped to 30-6, Kyle Scrimegour taking 4-14, but a solid seventh wicket partnership saw them break their duck as the clouds gathered.
The experience of former Scotland batsman Omer Hussain, who top-scored with 22no, and Dougie Wylie (8no) proved crucial as the Paisley men reached their in 22 rather tense overs.
Leaders Prestwick may have felt they were on course for a crucial win after restricting Uddingston to 198-9 at Bothwell Castle.
Only Amir Gul kept the visiting bowlers at bay with a defiant 74no while Mitchell Rao was Prestwick’s most successful bowler with 3-38.
However, only two overs of the Prestwick innings were possible before the match was abandoned.
There was a delayed start at Ferguslie where the home side had reached 46-2 against champions Clydesdale before the match was abandoned.
They also started at Dumfries where East Kilbride were the visitors but monsoon-like conditions soon turned Nunholm into a lake.
No play was possible in the match between Poloc and Ayr.
