1sts Conquer Arbroath - Top League !

Falkland 218 for 8 (50 overs)
(S Sharif 132no)

Arbroath 179 all out (42 overs)
(M Petrie 52, B Ford 38, A Hamilton Jr 3-26, B Ditchmen 3-41, S Sharif 3-48)

Falkland Won by 39 Runs

FALKLAND TOP TABLE AFTER SECOND VICTORY

Brock Ditchmen won the toss at a chilly Scroggie Park and elected to bat first on the same pitch that was used against S.M.R.H. last week after the midweek rain made it impossible to prepare a new track.

Arbroath United had Marc Petrie back as skipper, after he flew in from his holiday in Florida at 7.30 this morning, but Fraser Burnett was missing due to a social engagement, his place being taken by Ben McGill.

He must have been wondering if he had made the correct choice when his first three batsmen, Henderson, Ferguson and Surry were back in the pavilion with only twelve runs on the board as Matthew Hurst struck to remove all three batsmen.

However, Safyaan Sharif batting at four soon eased his worries as he batted through the rest of the innings, finishing on 132 not out. He showed great maturity as he played himself in, under difficult batting conditions, and then proceeded to hit the ball to all parts of the ground.

His knock came from 119 balls and included nine fours and four sixes.

He was well supported by overseas players Bryn Cleaver (18) and Connor Ryan (28) and the lower order as Falkland reached 218 for 8 off their fifty over allocation.

Calvin Burnett 4 for 58 and Matthew Hurst 3 for 32 were the best bowlers for the visitors.

Sharif and Ryan Hepburn shared the new ball for the home side, and it was Hepburn who made the breakthrough when he had Ross McLean caught at first slip by Stuart Campbell when the score was 21.

Sharif then had Bartlett caught by Hepburn at first slip one run later and the home side sensed an upset could be on the cards.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Arbroath slumped to 83 for 5, before the left handers Calvin Burnett and Marc Petrie swung the game back towards Arbroath with a sixty run partnership, before Burnett was trapped in front by Alan Hamilton.

One run later and Falkland were back on top when Bryce Carnegie was stumped by Connor Ryan to make it 144 for 7.

Petrie made a valiant attempt to grab the initiative back with some hard hitting reaching a well-deserved fifty before he fell to Hamilton for 52 and Hamilton then wrapped up the innings when Hurst was caught by keeper Ryan.

Sharif, Ditchmen and Hamilton all had three wickets with Hamilton’s 3 for 26 the pick of the bowlers.

Newcomers Falkland now sit proudly at the top of the table along with Heriot’s as the only unbeaten sides after two weeks competition.

Arbroath meanwhile will have to regroup for next week after what by their own high standards of last year was a below performance in the field.

(Cricket Europe Scotland)

CSL Eastern Premier Division league Table

WITH THANKS TO OUR MATCH DAY SPONSOR - THE STAG INN, FALKLAND