Arbroath 122 all out
(M Parker 24, W Sullivan 5-31, S Sharif 2-35)
Falkland 123 for 6
(S Sharif 49no, B Cleaver 22)
Falkland Won by 4 Wkts
Arbroath 122 all out (W Sullivan 5 for 31); Falkland 123 for 6 (S Sharif 49 not out). Scottish Cup at Falkland on Sunday.
Falkland delighted their supporters with a defeat of last year's Scottish League Champions Arbroath at Scroggie Park on Sunday. Arbroath, without their regular openers, chose to bat on what looked like a good batting wicket, but Sharif amazed them by coming in off a short run, bowling spin and taking two wickets in the first over of the game. Arbroath never really recovered from this and when Sullivan came on at the Strathmiglo Road end to bowl in tandem with Sharif, wickets fell regularly. Arbroath contributed to a large extent to their own downfall with a few injudicious strokes and one crazy run out, but no praise is high enough for Wayne Sullivan, who is normally the second XI captain but who on Sunday turned on as good a bowling performance for Falkland as he has ever done in his lengthy career.
Arbroath were all out shortly before 2.00 pm and Falkland took their time to reach the undemanding total, batting sensibly and being much indebted to Sharif's controlled 49 not out. Safyaan may decide to go to Arbroath for his holidays, but they would dread his arrival for he has now in two games scored 171 runs against them, and has not yet been dismissed! Bryn Cleaver is also worth a mention for his 22, but it was a fine all-round Falkland performance, and it remains by no means outwith the bounds of possibility that the team may yet land a Scottish League and Cup double this year. A stern test awaits on Saturday, however, when Heriot's FP arrive on League business.
David Potter