Scottish Cricket: McKinlay leads Heriot's home (21 Jul 1998)

21 July 1998

Scottish Cricket: McKinlay leads Heriot's home

By Keith Graham

Heriot's, Grange and West Lothian all seem destined for First Division status when the new National League starts next season after all three secured convincing wins to extend their superiority in Conference A on Saturday.

Heriot's had the easiest task against bottom-placed Dunfermline and once again it was Shahid Aslam who paved the way to victory with another four-wicket haul, this time with the assistance of Jamie Watkins (3 for 44) as the visitors were bundled out for 130, having been on 122 for four.

Although Heriot's lost Steve Thomson cheaply, there were to be no more blips as Ian McKinlay (73 not out) took the leaders home by nine wickets.

Grange had to work harder to overcome Watsonians who posted a total of 206 for nine with Owen Gilchrist making 62 while Ian Beven claimed five for 46.

The Raeburn Place side were led towards a three-wicket victory by a powerful innings from Roddy Smith who was out on 98.

West Lothian's Craig Light demonstrated his form with the bat with a telling knock of 91 at the Tryst as the Boghall side raced to 206 for five. Paul Crosse then demolished Stenhousemuir with his medium paced swing, finishing with seven for 48 as the home team was bowled out for 160.

Hillhead forced themselves into fourth place, with a win over Kelvurne with Grant Parmester scoring 48 and taking five for 38.

West of Scotland's convincing nine-wicket win over Drumpellier, in which Gregor Maiden, omitted from the European Championship squad, gave the Scottish selectors a nudge with three for 28 and 42 not out, re-established their dominance of Conference B but Carlton too had an equally emphatic win, by eight wickets over Poloc who were bowled out for 85, Frederick English (4 for 24) doing the damage. Bryn Lockie's unbeaten 42 ensured an easy win.

Perthshire secured a second successive win, this time over RHSM and Strathmore at last broke their duck by romping to a nine-wicket win over Corstorphine, Dion Taljard ripping out six of the home batsmen on the way to a nine-wicket win which sent the Edinburgh club to the bottom.

Aberdeenshire halted their recent slide in Conference C with a nervous win at Edinburgh Accies, Brad Wigney's five wickets helping to dismiss the home side for 80. They then lost six wickets on their way to victory to clamber back into second place just ahead of Ferguslie.

Clydesdale lost ground by having much the worst of the draw with Freuchie for whom Scott Gourlay registered his first century as he led his team to 247 for five.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)