ABERDEENSHIRE skipper Chris Venske admitted to experiencing a cocktail of emotions in the wake of his side’s drama-packed tie with Grange.

It was a case of “what might have been” for him - both in a positive and negative sense.

Century-maker Venske declared: “We could easily have lost it - but maybe we should have won it!”

The outcome halted Grange’s run of victories, while also boosting Shire’s revival.

He explained: “For much of the contest it could have gone either way.

“We batted first and were struggling a bit on 45 for four - so at that point if you had offered me a tie then I would've bitten your arm off.

“I was frustrated to get out with nine overs of our innings left because there were still plenty of runs available to me.

“We could have posted a total exceeding 250 rather than the 223 that we did reach.”

In the tense finale, Grange needed five from the last over to snatch the glory - with young Connor Shorten being entrusted to bowl.

He held his nerve in a manner that impressed Venske, who added: “The grit and determination shown by the lads in the closing stages made me a happy captain.

“Connor’s feat in restricting them to four runs in these six balls was special.”

On his own knock of 110, he said: “I was pleased with my knock - but I got out at the worst time.”

Shire coach David Cox added: “Connor was a hero - it was a great way to mark his selection or his call up to the Scotland U19’s.

“The lower order worked well with Chris to build a platform after a horrendous start.

“It was a really galvanised team performance with contributions throughout.

“But the tally of 24 extras that cost us the game, not for the first time this season.

“We should have won, but I'll take five points and look forward to Heriot’s next weekend.”

Six Grange batsmen got over the 20 mark, however Harris Aslam and Ryan Flannigan top scored with 31 each.

This fact was testament to Shire’s persistence in the field.

Venske himself was no mean performer with the ball, taking two for 31 in 10 overs.

Elsewhere, an understrength Arbroath surrendered their unbeaten record to Glenrothes, while Carlton and Heriot’s emerged victorious in the capital derbies.

Pro Mike Herdman’s ton propelled Carlton to their win against Watsonians at Grange Loan.

And after Glens’ success in the low-scoring battle at Gilvenbank, home star Vasu Reddy said: “Arbroath were without several key men, but it was a great result for us.

“Ben Wilkinson batted beautifully on a tough track and Yaser Arfat was the pick of the bowlers.”

Arbroath skipper Calvin Burnett added: “It was a learning experience for the young guys against a team with three overseas players.”

Rory Johnston and Chris Greaves emerged as the Forfarshire stars as they snuffed out the challenge of basement boys Falkland to step up their league revival.

Johnston struck a superb 74 while player-coach Graves hit 58 at Fortill to propel the hosts to 218 for four.

Falkland were never in the hunt and despite a half century by Harsha Coorey, they slid to 140 all out.