A MUCH-IMPROVED bowling performance saw Dunfermline and Carnegie Cricket Club’s first XI end their losing run on Saturday.

After three successive defeats in the East of Scotland Cricket Association (ESCA) Division Two, they hosted second-top Kirk Brae at McKane Park, and won by 37 runs.

Dunfermline and Carnegie batted confidently at the start of their innings, with skipper Arfan Yousaf and his brother, Raman, putting on an opening partnership of 67 before the former fell for 68.

Although wickets fell, hard hitting by Salman Sarwar took the total beyond 150, which would end on 203 after a late flourish by the tail.

The visitors opened their innings aggressively, scoring eight runs per over in the first seven, but some fine bowling by home player-coach Steve Rowley saw wickets tumble.

Kirk Brae did move past 150 runs but they couldn’t fend off the home attack, who dismissed them well short of their target to move within seven per cent of their opponents.

Captain Yousaf noted: “It was good to pick up 20 points after our lean spell, and the bowlers responded well after Kirk Brae made a very positive start.”

Dunfermline and Carnegie 203 (20), (A Yousaf 68, S Sarwar 46, A Xavier 21, S Yadav 4 for 19, W Asim 3 for 41).

Kirk Brae (10) 166, (G Singh 41, A Hassan 35, S Rowley 4 for 35, I Worth 2 for 11, J Hutton 2 for 20).

In Division Three, Broomhall’s losing run stretched to five matches as leaders Drummond/Trinity second XI earned victory in Edinburgh.

After batting first, the home side set a massive target of 265, which the West Fifers couldn’t reach. Short of several regulars, the visiting innings collapsed as they were beaten by 225 runs, leaving them second-bottom.

Drummond/Trinity 2nd XI (20) 265 for 6, (N Apally 70, A Ashraf 53, M Davidson 45, S Lucas 2 for 51).

Broomhall (3) 40, (I Ward 11, S Babal 4 for 9).

In Division Six, poor batting from Dunfermline and Carnegie’s second XI saw them go down to Kirk Brae second XI. After winning the toss, the visitors to Edinburgh elected to bat first on a tricky track, and lost some early wickets before posting a total of 109.

However, Kirk Brae passed that total within 21 overs for a five-wicket win.

Dunfermline and Carnegie 2nd XI (6) 109, (D Miller 16, D Wood 16).

Kirk Brae 2nd XI (20) 110 for 5, (M Honeyford 3 for 18, D Deenadalayan 2 for 12).