Published: Thursday, 19th June, 2008 8:25am

Knights stay top despite rain-affected match

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DUNFERMLINE KNIGHTS remained top of the league after defeating Weirs from Glasgow via the Duckworth-Lewis method.

The Knights made a promising start with the skipper winning the toss and without hesitation elected to bat on an excellent hard McKane wicket.

For the third match in a row Jones (25) and Ingram (28) got the team off to an excellent start with another 50-run opening stand which set the platform for the middle order to capitalise in the later overs.

The Knights finished their 50 overs with an impressive 6-264 which was dominated by partnerships by Rai (56), Reddy (52) and a strong finish in the late overs by Campbell (42 no).

It was an imposing score from the Knights which a deflated opposition were going to struggle to chase down and the looming weather rolling in was the main concern in finishing the game.

The Knights came out in the second innings knowing that they had to complete the first 20 overs to constitute a game with the weather closing in and every wicket they took would make it harder for the opposition to chase the target.

Some excellent stump to stump bowling from the openers Reddy (4-19) and Fryer (2-19) saw the Weirs team crumble to 6-69 in the 24th over as the heavens opened causing an early finish.

The end result saw the Knights winning the game on the Duckworth-Lewis method by 108 runs and collecting their 10 points to remain top of the ladder.

The seconds continued their winning streak against Boroughmuir with a comfortable win with a slightly depleted team which provided some younger and more experienced members of the club a chance to debut for the season and make an impact on selection.

None were more impressive than skipper David Miller"s fine knock of 106 which is the first century for the club this season and was celebrated into the wee hours of Sunday morning.

After making 240 off their allocated overs the 'gnomes' (second team mascot) bowled the opposition out for 77 with Humphries (2-13), Davidson (2-14) and Ferguson (2-4) all contributing to the wickets.

l Dunfermline Carnegie continued their good run of form in East League Division 4 with a hard fought victory at Townhill on Saturday. Batting first on a challenging wicket, Carnegie were in disarray at 30-5 before Neil Harris dug in to make a gritty 22 which, coupled with some sensible batting from the tail, allowed Carnegie to reach 94 all out. In reply Carnegie opening bowlers Gary Steward and Dave Mitchell picked up quick wickets to put pressure on Townhill. Matt Wauchop then removed the dangerous Jerry Murray and the returning Kevin Ross ran through the lower order. Ross finished with figures of 4-14 and picked up the Man of the Match award.

Carnegie captain David Mitchell commented, 'Kevin changed the game with an excellent spell of fast bowling and was backed up by the other bowlers and some excellent fielding.'

Next week Carnegie host Clackmannan at Pitreavie.

l Broomhall Cricket Club has achieved a new club record score of 373 for five wickets.

Broomhall"s 1st XI match on Saturday against Edinburgh Accies 2nd XI in the East League Division five also saw J Bell and J Grant scoring 125 not out and 103 not out respectively.

Meanwhile Broomhall 2nd X beat Edinburgh South 2nd XI 170-7 in the East League Division eight with A Nesse scoring 40 and M Cook 35.