IT was a tough day for West Fife's cricket clubs on Saturday as Dunfermline and Carnegie and Broomhall suffered damaging losses at both ends of their league tables.

In the East of Scotland Cricket Association's Division Two, Dunfermline and Carnegie's first XI needed a victory against second top Edinburgh Accies second XI to keep hopes of a second successive promotion alive.

Having won the toss, the hosts elected to bat first and put themselves into a good position at McKane Park, racking up a total of 257 runs.

Vasu Reddy scored a half century, and there were three other contributions in the 40s, as the home batters took advantage of a hard wicket and fast outfield.

When they took three early wickets in Edinburgh's innings, to leave their opponents on 55 for three, they seemed on course towards victory, but some wayward bowling allowed the visitors the opportunity of a recovery.

Accies captain, Yasir Khanchi, passed the century mark – scoring a total of 105 – whilst a contribution of 43 from Syed Kabir helped them pass the home side's effort for a six wicket success.

With three matches to go, Dunfermline and Carnegie are now a points percentage of 15 behind second top Stewart's Melville seconds, and skipper Arfan Yousaf said: "We posted a competitive score but our bowling was not good enough, it is as simple as that.

"We have lost too many matches in the same manner."

Dunfermline and Carnegie (7) 257 for 8, V Reddy 52, S Khudarry 49, T Xavier 46, I Worth 43, A Yousaf 39, M Naligi 2 for 61.

Edinburgh Accies 2nd XI (20) 260 for 4, Y Khanchi 105 not out, S Kabir 43.

In Division Three, Broomhall suffered a heavy defeat in Edinburgh which leaves them having to win their remaining games to be sure of staying in Division Three.

Marchmont second XI piled on a big score of 240 after batting first but in reply, Broomhall never got going, with only Chris Hoefling getting getting into the 20s.

Broomhall remain second bottom of the table with three matches remaining.

Marchmont 2nd XI (20) 240 for 6, G Illsley 112, B Eager 45, I Ward 3 for 31.

Broomhall (3) 59, C Hoefling 26, D Prakas 3 for 16, U Shukla 3 for 17.

Dunfermline and Carnegie's second XI made it four wins in a row with a comfortable victory at second bottom Holy Cross in Division Six.

A fine innings by James Honeyford was the corner stone of the West Fifers' total, and the home side struggled, falling over 80 runs short, with Steve Rowley taking five wickets.

Dunfermline and Carnegie 2nd XI (20) 146, J Honeyford 52 not out, J Spreng 25, K Geddes 3 for 20, P Chinnathambi 2 for 18 .

Holy Cross 2nd XI (5) 64. S Rowley 5 for 5, B Brown 2 for 16.