ARBROATH’s hopes of Eastern Premier glory received a double boost yesterday after they secured an emphatic win over SMRH at Inverleith while closest challengers Grange slipped-up against Carlton.

Even the absence of five first-team regulars, including skipper Marc Petrie and the Burnett brothers, Fraser and Calvin, could not prevent the high-flying Lochlands men from romping to a ten-wicket success.

Euan Small, one of the men drafted in, did the early damage with an early brace including that of SMRH’s South African professional Shaylen Pillay as the hosts slumped to 20-3.

Small went on to claim three wickets, a feat matched by Elton Willemse, as SMRH, having elected to bat, were bundled out for just 80.

In reply Arbroath raced to the total, Brendon Ford stroking 42no and Ross McLean 35 as the title charge gained momentum.

Having won early, Arbroath were able to follow the fortunes of Grange and were delighted when their rivals came a cropper by 60 runs against Carlton at Portgower Place.

The visitors were in early trouble after electing to bat but a superb 60 from Scotland youth cap Angus Beattie and 42 from Michael Herdman saw them recover to post 214.

Harris Carnegie spearheaded Grange’s reply with a battling half-century but he couldn’t prevent Grange from slipping to their second defeat of the season.

Watsonians are handily placed on the fringes of the title race after they proved too strong for Aberdeenshire at Myreside.

Only professional Lesiba Ngoepe offered sustained resistance for the visitors in the face of testing bowling.

The South African recorded his third consecutive half-century but had little support as ‘Shire slumped to 155 all out, Brendan O’Connell leading the bowling effort with 4-38 from his ten overs.

Sonians lost three wickets during their pursuit but skipper George Munsey guided them home with 57no.

Scotland spinner Mark Watt demonstrated his growing prowess with the bat to top-score with 72 as Heriot’s posted 187 against Forfarshire at Goldenacre.

His effort paved the way for a 19-run win as Adrian Neill’s 4-31 completed an efficient performance from the capital side.

Glenrothes won the Fife derby at Gilvenbank as Falkland were left still searching for their first victory of the season.

Falkland professional Harsha Cooray hit a century in a total of 198 but Safyaan Sharif, the former Falkland all-rounder, guided Glens to their target with 58no to seal a six-wicket success.