SIMON Smith sent out a timely reminder to the national selectors as Grange were forced to battle all the way before claiming a three-wicket win against Greenock at Raeburn Place on Saturday.

On a day when it was hard to believe that the length of the table separates this pair it was the home wicket-keeper who proved the match-winner with five dismissals and an unbeaten half-century.

And, with a busy international season about to resume, that could be good news for Smith who has yet to feature for the Saltires this season.

Smith said: “I am still very ambitious to get back in the Scotland set-up and I know what I have to do.

“Saturday's performance was very pleasing for me but I have to keep performing consistently and hopefully my chance will come again.”

Smith's tidy glove work saw him claim four catches and a stumping as Greenock were restricted to 188.

However, while the Glenpark side have capitulated on occasions this season, on Saturday they fought all the way with Willie Rowan top-scoring on 58.

There were also good contributions from Courtney Kruger (31) while Richie Berrington and Alex Baum both hit 22.

Recently recruited South African professional Roy Adams proved his worth to Grange with four wickets while teenage off-spinner Drew Weir, making only his second top team appearance, claimed 3-26.

For a rare occasion this season, Greenock were able to deploy their preferred new-ball attack of Rowan and Berrington, the pair reducing the hosts to 42-2 before Dougie Wylie grabbed a brace to have Grange teetering on 77-4.

However, Smith was joined by Stuart Moffat in a crucial stand of 77 as the league leaders showed their strength in depth.

Moffat fell for 36 to spark a mini-collapse but Smith saw his side over the line with a defiant unbeaten 50.

He added: “After making a mess of our run-chase against Watsonians last week we knew one of the top six had to be there at the end.

“When we lost a few wickets I realised it was up to me and, although it may have been ugly at times, we got the job done.

“People might have expected it to be easier but Greenock have players who can hurt you and they played well.”

Meanwhile Watsonians kept up the pressure with victory over Clydesdale at Titwood.

The home side were disappointed to post just 228-8 after several players, despite getting themselves set, were unable to play a major innings.

In contrast, Scotland Lions star Ryan Flannigan showed how it should be done with 81 as the Myreside men won with four wickets and seven balls to spare.

Forfarshire skipper Ryan Watson refused to concede defeat in the race for the title despite a disappointing reverse to Dunfermline Knights.

Defending 220, the Forthill men put themselves in a commanding position by reducing the Knights to 135-5.

However, an unbroken 88-run stand between Safyan Sharif (54no) and Amir Shahzad (43no) denied Forfarshire.

Watson declared: “There is still a long way to go and we know that any team can beat any other in this league so we will keep battling away.

“You have to give a lot of credit to the Dunfermline boys who saw their team home although our bowlers were struggling a bit because it was raining and the ball was difficult to grip.”

Elsewhere, Carlton were the day's big scorers, posting 321-6 en route to a 181-run victory over McCrea FS West at Grange Loan while Uddingston were thirty runs ahead on D/L when rain curtailed their clash with Aberdeenshire at Bothwell.