DEFEATS on Saturday for Broomhall and Dunfermline and Carnegie did nothing for either side's long term East League hopes this season.

Broomhall faced a relegation battle with second bottom of Division Three Linlithgow 2nd XI at Boghall and despite a doughty effort lost by 20 runs.

The fact that only five batsmen made double figures in the entire match said it all and underlined the problems these teams have faced this term.

The hosts won the toss and took first lease of a greenish top and really struggled throughout their innings.

A half century by Smith was the corner stone of their total of 120 with Chris Hoefling returning the excellent figures of three for 14.

Broomhall needed some regular scores from the early order but like the Linlithgow side they struggled with only Hoefling really getting in.

Phil Ward gave some late hope but the tail failed to wag and the Charlestown side face a real battle to stay up now.

Linlithgow 2nd XI (20) 120 for 8, K Smith 52, K Thomson 42, C Hoefling 3 for 14, P Ward 3 for 25.

Broomhall (6) 100, C Hoefling 32, P Ward 18, T Lucas 12, S Patrick 3 for 20, S Ronaldson 3 for 39.

Dunfermline and Carnegie were at Aboretum Road in Division Four against Holy Cross 2nd XI.

Fielding first the Fifers struggled to get through the Holy Cross early order and runs kept coming at a decent pace.

Although wickets started to fall the total mounted and passed 200 setting the visitors a tough task.

David Miller batted really well passing 50 but only Murray Callan joined him in scoring heavily and the tail offered little resistance as they ended 57 runs short.

Holy Cross 2nd XI (20) 201 for 7, S Ferriera 48, V Gaware 44, M Busby 3 for 31, S Khan 2 for 23.

Dunfermline and Carnegie (8) 144, D Miller 61, M Callan 30, D Meikle 5 for 23.

At McKane Park Dunfermline and Carnegie 2nd XI pulled off a shock result by beating Division Seven leaders Musselburgh 2nd XI.

On winning the toss home skipper David Cooper asked Burgh to bat on a dampish surface and they found the going hard against the Dunfermline and Carnegie attack.

Kevin Ross helped himself to three wickets as did Ralph Laing, who was to produce a man of the match performance.

Chasing 102 the hosts lost Martin Honeyford early on but James Spreng struck his way to 30 and then Laing took over making an unbeaten 34 in a seven wicket win.

Musselburgh 2nd XI (4) 102, H Martin 36, R Laing 3 for 8. K Ross 3 for 12.

Dunfermline and Carnegie 2ndXI (20) 103 for 3, R Laing 34 not out, J Spreng 30, H Martin 2 for 23.