ARBROATH remain on course for Eastern Premier glory after an emphatic win over derby rivals Forfarshire at Lochlands yesterday.

Chasing just 125, the home side got there with six wickets to spare, Elton Willemse scoring 67no.

Willemse had earlier been the bowling star with 5-11 as the visitors struggled to compile any meaningful partnerships.

He had good support from Calvin Burnett who chipped-in with three wickets.

Ball also dominated bat as second top Grange’s hopes of maintaining the pressure on the leaders were dashed in an extraordinary clash at Myreside.

The visitors appeared to have put themselves in pole position after dismissing ‘Sonians for 97.

Andrew Brock did most damage with four scalps while former Scotland star John Blain, making a rare start, had three victims including danger-man George Munsey and former national team-mate Dewald Nel whose 18 was ‘Sonians top score.

However, the expected cruise to the target never materialised as Grange soon slumped to 39-7 before a lengthy delay saw them set a revised target of 93 from 24 overs. They fell 28 short as Kiwi Andy McKay claimed four cheap wickets.

It was also low-scoring at Mannofield where Aberdeenshire made just 44 as their mini-revival was brought to an end by Carlton for whom Ruari Macpherson claimed three wickets for just two runs.

Carlton lost three wickets during their chase but Kyle Macpherson steered them to victory with 23no.

Elsewhere Scotland spinner Mark Watt had mixed 21st birthday fortunes, first claiming a five-wicket haul as Heriot’s restricted Glenrothes to 174-9 at Gilvenbank.

But he was then out for a duck as the title challenging Goldenacre side slumped to a potentially damaging defeat, closing on 115-9 before rain closed in.

South African Shaylen Pillay hit form with 123no of SMRH’s 219-7 at Inverleith – enough for victory over Falkland.

Pillay accelerated to score at a run-a-ball with six boundaries and six maximums before Falkland reached 62-3 from 20.2 overs – 22 short of the par score.