LEADERS Carlton demonstrated the resilience of potential champions last night when they secured a thrilling last-over win against Poloc at Shawholm.
The Edinburgh side looked to be heading to defeat when Poloc, chasing 197 for victory, coasted to 103-2 after 25 overs.
However, Carlton continued to take wickets at crucial stages and the match was still evenly poised going into the final over
as Poloc, with three wickets in hand, required 14 for victory.
However, Australian professional Peter Wooden held his nerve while home batsman Keith Sheridan's dogged 51no proved in vain as the home side fell ten runs short.
Earlier Carlton had to battle hard for their runs in tricky conditions and only a century stand between Saltires star Fraser Watts and Wooden ensured a challenging total. Watts hit an authoritative 75, including 11 boundaries and a six, from 94 balls while Wooden made his way to a patient 60.
However, Sheridan kept Poloc in the hunt with a superb ten-over stint. Still one of the finest practitioners of left-arm spin in the country, he removed Watts and Bryn Lockie in one over on his way to figures of 3-34.
Having lost twice last weekend – to Grange and the Scotland U19s – champions Greenock got their campaign back on track with a convincing eight-wicket win over Heriot's at Goldenacre.
Sean Weeraratna, the Saltires seamer, helped restrict his former Heriot's team-mates to 157-7 before Tim McIntosh and Richie Berrington spearheaded the chase. Berrington compiled 62 while Kiwi professional McIntosh guided Greenock to victory with 78no.
Matt Horne notched his second century in as many weeks as shock troops Ayr made it three wins on the trot. The latest victims of the side written off as relegation favourites were Ferguslie, who must have felt relatively secure after posting 231 at Cambusdoon.
However, Horne and Andi McElnea gave the Alloway side a perfect start, moving to
120-0 from 22 overs to set the platform for a successful run chase
and a fine six-wicket win with five overs to spare.
Meanwhile, Ed Cowan and Neil McCallum warmed up for Scotland's showdown with Yorkshire by producing sparkling knocks in the winning causes of Uddingston and Grange respectively.
Cowan brought up his century with the last ball of the contest as Uddy thrashed Watsonians by 10 wickets at Bothwell Castle Policies. He was given stout support by Scott Dalgleish, who ended on 51 not out in the chase of 156.
McCallum was in sizzling form to help Grange thump Clydesdale at Titwood – playing the perfect foil to centurion pro Warren McSkimning in the process.
Responding to the Edinburgh side's 241 for five, Dale capitulated to 123 all out with only teenager Zeeshan Bashir (43) offering meaningful resistance.
Following the early loss of Cammy Coles and Gregor Maiden, McSkimming and McCallum took decisive control.
Their early patience was rewarded with a spate of lofted boundaries, with out-of-favour Saltires spinner Ross Lyons coming in for heavy punishment.
McCallum perished for 72 with the total on 196, clean bowled by a Mo Afzal yorker. But McSkimming
finished unbeaten on 114, having struck two sixes and nine fours. Andy Wilson then led the Grange attack with three wickets, the rest of the scalps being spread around.
Division one pacesetters Aberdeenshire cruised to a 10-wicket triumph against Drumpellier at Mannofield.
The Lanarkshire side were skittled for 59 before Astle and Kenny Reid took less than seven overs to knock off the runs.
However, Drumpellier's total was not the lowest of the day – Arbroath made just 31 against West of Scotland at Hamilton Crescent, the home side completing an easy nine-wicket win.
Penicuik prevailed in another low-scoring match, beating Stenhousemuir by five wickets after dismissing their hosts for 77.
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