Holders Grange bow out

Another Saturday deluge washed out the Scottish National Cricket League programme with only one game even starting, at Mannofield, where Aberdeenshire put on 207 for five in their 50 overs against Ferguslie.

Yet again, Jason Arnberger and Neil MacRae gave them an excellent start, both batsmen passing the half-century mark, but Ferguslie's innings had only just started when the rain arrived and play was abandoned.

Sunday's cup programme fared marginally better with places up for grabs in the quarter-finals, although most of the games which did take place had to be shortened due to late starts to enable grounds to dry out.

Inevitably, however, some teams again found themselves frustrated and a downpour prevented Heriot's from playing Carlton. A convincing win could have seen them go through but in the event Carlton get the call and will play Prestwick.

In the games that did take place, cup holders Grange saw their season go from bad to worse when West Lothian's 122 for four from 30 overs proved too many at Raeburn Place, Alec Davies compiling a fine 56 against his former team-mates.

Darren Cornforth's three-wicket burst rocked the home team who suffered a dramatic collapse from 30 for two to 44 for seven before the tail staged a recovery.

Grange, however, fell 15 runs short of their target for the Boghall side to reverse last week's Premiership result and set up a quarter-final tie against first division Drumpellier.

Ayr evaded the worst of the weather to trounce first division hopefuls Hillhead with Graeme Rummans continuing his fine form with an unbeaten 78 and then taking four wickets. They now face a monumental weekend's cricket when they take on leaders Aberdeenshire in the Premiership on Saturday and then meet them again on Sunday, this time at Mannofield.

Greenock disposed of Freuchie in a match reduced to 35 overs at Glenpark, the visitors doing well to reach 127 for nine but Dene Hills and David Arnott got the home team off to a solid start, the target being reached with four overs to spare.