Falkland Lose to Arbroath

Arbroath 299 for 4 in 50 Overs
(C Cameron 82 not out, W Lubbe 55)

Falkland 201 for 9 in 46.2 Overs
(H Cooray 107 not out, R Plomer 3 for 35)

Falkland Lost by 98 runs

Falkland lost rather heavily to relegation rivals at Arbroath on Saturday but did at least gain the consolation of four bonus points for getting to 70% of Arbroath's total when rain brought a premature ending to the proceedings. Falkland are now 29 points ahead of Arbroath with five League games remaining, and as 25 points are awarded for a win, it would probably mean that Arbroath would have to win two games, and Falkland lose all their remaining five for Falkland to be relegated. But bonus points can complicate the situation.

Arbroath won the toss and decided to bat first on a good batting wicket and a straw coloured outfield which meant that boundaries were frequent. Arbroath's huge total of 299 owed a lot to two century stands betweeen Saravanan and Lubbe, and then between Cameron and Carnegie. Fakland's fielding performance was adequate, but 21 Wides is a lot of runs to throw away needlessly, and it is disappointing to record that no Falkland bowler took more than one wicket.

299 was indeed a huge total, but by no means beyond the capabily of Falkand, and indeed if they had had someone to stay with Harsha Cooray who scored 107 not out they might
have won. But Cassell and Ferguson both fell on 27, and only one other player reached double figures. That is maybe the problem for Falkland this season - the lack of support batting.

A win at Arbroath would have eased all relegation worries, but this defeat means that there is still a great deal of cricket to be played yet. Next week Grange come to Falkland, and that will be far from an easy fixture.

DP