JUST when Falkland began to think that their season couldn’t possibly get even worse, along came George Munsey and Mike Carson.

The Watsonians pair produced the most devastating double-act in the history of Scottish competitive cricket to floor the relegation-threatened Fifers on their own turf.

And record-demolisher Munsey was quick to pay tribute to support act Carson, whose own remarkable exploits would normally have hogged the spotlight.

Munsey smashed 220 and Carson hit 167 in a stand that propelled Sonians to 440 for three - and the biggest ever winning margin.

And magnanimous Munsey said: “It was one of those days where everything went right for me from ball one.

“I just just felt in a great place, relaxed and was enjoying just a picturesque ground that looked in great shape.

“Both Mike and I bat in similar fashion where we both look to hit boundaries first then hit the singles second and its unusual for batsmen of similar styles to last so long together.

“The way he built his innings was fantastic and went through the gears nicely and got to his three figures in quickfire order.

“We spent a lot of time in the middle in between overs and when the ball went into neighbouring deep rough.

“We just kept things really simple which is the key to successful cricket.

“It was a great experience batting with Carson for so long and he can be very proud of his knock - and his bowling.”

Carson went on to snap up four wickets as the hapless hosts crumbled to 124 all out - 317 shy of the lofty target.

Munsey added: “It was great so see him being given the ball so early in their innings.

“I was fortunate enough to be fielding at slip and enjoyed watching him go through all his leg-spin variations which made their batsmen struggle to pick.”

The savagery of Munsey and Carson was such the umpires were forced to add 30 minutes to the Sonians innings to allow repeated searches for lost balls.

As a low handicap golfer who once considered turning pro, Munsey - for once - took great delight in aiming for the thick stuff!

His 220 came from only 120 deliveries and the partnership with Carson was worth 378.

Falkland skipper Stuart Campbell admitted: “George and Mike were brilliant and they made it incredibly hard for our bowlers and fielders, ho never gave up.

“Some of the ball-striking was the cleanest I have ever witnessed.

“Credit must also go to the Scroggie Park ground staff for producing a great track, which these guys took advantage of.”

And ex- captain Ryan Hepburn insisted there is light at the end of the tunnel.

He explained: “We lost a few players at the start of season and they haven’t been replaced.

“With additional injuries, work and uni commitments it has been a real struggle.

“We have had to throw young boys in at the deep end and they are finding it tough.

“It is very much a transition period for the club, but our junior section from under 15s down are thriving.

“It will, however, be a few years before we see this impacting our 1st team squad.

“The attitude and effort is still really good and although we know some of our players are not Premiership standard, it is good exposure for them with the future in mind.”

Elsewhere, Arbroath leapfrogged Grange to return to the top of the table.

Arbroath shrugged off a dose of the middle-order jitters to edge out champions Carlton in a low-scoring tussle at Lochlands.

And Grange were outgunned by Glenrothes at Raeburn Place.

Safyaan Sharif (95), Aidan Justus (59) and Fred Culley (56) carried the visitors to 290 for four.

Then Chris Mohale’s five-wicket haul helped to dismiss the home brigade for 234.

Forfarshire cruised to their expected win over SMRH at Inverleith.

Aberdeenshire coach David Cox will demand “more responsibility” from his middle men as they head into the second half of their campaign.

Shire’s season thus far has been a roller-coaster ride, which took a downward lurch with the defeat by Heriot’s at Mannofield.

Cox declared: “It was avery poor result indeed, coming on the back of recent positive performances.”

The hosts won the toss and sent in the Edinburgh outfit, who reached 192 for nine.

At 97 for one, Cox’s side appeared to be cruising - only for the wheels to come off in depressing fashion.

They surrendered their remaining nine wickets for only 60 runs, with only Chris Ngoepe (89) providing any meaningful resistance.

Cox added: “The middle order imploded with some poor shot selections.

“There was a strong performances from Chris, but only opener Kenny Reid (33) was able to offer him any support.

“The guys in the middle order have to start taking much more responsibility - they can't keep leaving it to someone else.”

On the display with the ball, Cox said: “Jarod van Blerk took three for 21, and Chris Venske was economical, giving away only 23 in his 10 overs.

“However, there were too many careless extras, which always proves costly.

“We had them 40 for three and 130 for six, but were unable to capitalise on either position with more poor decision making.

“Now that we have reached the half way point, we know where we stand.

“There needs to be some open and honest assessment of performances.

“Having a middle order averaging less than 15 per man isn't good enough.”