Published: Thursday, 3rd July, 2008 11:30am

Dunfermline Knights beat Stoneywood to stay top

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Steve Fryer

WITH another rain-interrupted weekend of cricket looming, the Knights dug deep to prevail in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash against Stoneywood Dyce.

After winning the toss and electing to bat the Knights crumbled to 3-25 early on before Jones (34) and Fryer (71no) put on a strong partnership to steady the ship.

Unfortunately, wickets crumbled at the other end at regular intervals leaving the skipper stranded and the Knights all out for 176.

The Knights were able to secure a couple of quick wickets early to have the Aberdeen team in trouble and praying that the rain fell before the 20-over mark to abandon the match.

After a couple of rain interruptions play resumed making it hard for the home side to bowl in slippery conditions with a wet ball.

As the visitors reached 4-137 victory was in their sight as yet another rain interruption threatened the washout of the game and an easy victory to Stoneywood on the Duckworth Lewis Method.

However, the unpredictability of the Scottish weather prevailed and blue skies came out allowing the game to be completed.

An inspired bowling spell by Sumi Ealada, (3-18) taking three wickets in one over and narrowly missing a hat-trick in the process, turned the game on its head.

Dunfermline restricted the visitors to 9-168 off their allotted 50 overs needing 12 runs off the final over with 16-year-old Safyaan Shariff displaying a cool head and guiding the Knights to an emotional win and top of the table after a very long day at McKane.

Sunday in the Scottish Cup saw the Premier League leaders Greenock visit McKane in a second round clash.

Unfortunately, after such a long day on Saturday the Knights did not play to their full potential and crumbled with the bat to be skittled for 81.

To their credit, the Knights dug deep in the field throwing everything at the Greenock top order and had them in trouble at 3-49. However, Greenock cruised to victory with six wickets in hand.

The Dunfermline Second Team scored a tremendous victory over Leith Franklin Beige thirds.

Scoring an excellent 8-201 off their allotted over both Jordan Davidson and club warhorse Tom Gibson chipped in with an enthralling 40 to enable the "Gnomes' to put tremendous pressure on their opposition in the second innings.

Leith were bowled out convincingly for 80 with Shaun Davidson taking four prized scalps keeping the seconds in the hunt for promotion this season.

The thirds struggled to chase down 180 against Peebles County Two to be all out for 104. A special mention must go to 14-year-old Jamie Penman, who has contributed brilliantly with both bat and ball to look like a certain young star for the club in the making.