forfarshire get out of jail as stoneywood-dyce let it slip
Willemse men rue catches that got away
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Stoneywood-Dyce were narrowly denied a much-needed SNCL First Division win at Peoples Park in their struggle to extract themselves from the relegation zone.
Promotion-seeking Forfarshire were left needing 24 to win with only one wicket remaining – but after two dropped catches by the hosts the visitors managed to chase down the required 178.
Stoneywood-Dyce captain Elton Willemse said: “It was disappointing to lose out, but we paid the penalty of thinking we had the game in the bag. It’s a lesson for us, although I was pleased with the performance.”
Willemse scored 40 in sharing a stand of 110 with Michael Leask, who notchedhis second consecutive half-century of the season.
The stand helped the home side to recover from a poor start after recovering from 26 for the loss of three wickets, which included the dismissal of Jan Stander – who got himself out to a dreadfully loose shot when looking set for a big score.
The Scotland player made partial amends when the home side fielded, taking three wickets for 20.
Willemse added: “The capture of Ryan Watson’s wicket for five was vital. Unfortunately, low order batsman Graham Garden hung around for 41 and dropping two catches didn’t help.”
With both Penicuik and Ferguslie losing, Stoneywood-Dyce remain just outside the drop zone but must go on a winning run if they are to pull clear.
“We can’t go on relying on other people’s efforts,” said Willemse, who will have the same squad together for the next three or four weeks.
Relieved Forfarshire captain Watson admitted his side had escaped from jail.
His relief was even greater when he heard the news that early-season pacesetters Dunfermline and Poloc had both suffered heavy defeats.
He said: “It was a match we should not have won but it is a result I am delighted to take. Our 10th-wicket pair, Dougie Philip and Graham Quinn, did a tremendous job. However, we had luck on our side because Stoneywood dropped a couple of catches when they were at the crease.
“The turning point probably came in the third last over when we hit 17.”
With Dunfermline falling at the hands of Stenhousemuir and Poloc being beaten by Drumpellier, Watson added: “These results have closed the gap between the leading teams and the main pack. We now need to build on our win and be a bit more accurate and clinical.”
Michael Leask had been the backbone of the Stoneywood knock of 178 with 76, while Watson and Kelbie Pickering each snapped up three scalps.
Graham Garden’s 41 acted as the foundation for Shire’s pursuit before Philip's unbeaten 32 proved decisive.
Stirling County were the other prime beneficiaries of the way the results panned out, leaping to joint top thanks to their demolition of Ferguslie at Meikleriggs.
Arbroath returned to winning ways with a 17-run success against Penicuik at Lochlands.
Marc Petrie’s 43 helped to guide the home team to 212 for eight, with Calvin Burnett stemming the Penicuik response with three wickets.
The Falkland promotion surge in the Second Division gathered more momentum with their win against West Lothian at Boghall.
There was only likely to be one result after the hosts were pegged back to 106 for nine in the rain-shortened encounter.
