A SIX-WICKET win over Linlithgow on Saturday has strengthened Dunfermline and Carnegie’s hopes of being involved in the East Cricket League Division 4 promotion race.

The division’s bottom side were put in by home skipper David Miller at McKane Park and while two batsmen looked comfortable, the rest struggled to stay at the crease.

Wickets fell regularly to the home side with John Hutton and James Honeyford being particularly effective.

Their total of 134 was not going to be easy to defend on a fast outfield and Miller hit a half century, while there were other steady contributions from Singh and Jones as the total was passed in 17 overs leaving Dunfermline and Carnegie just two per cent behind second-top Heriot’s and four behind leaders Dunbar.

Linlithgow second XI (6) 134, (K Smith 46, B Sneddon 41, J Hutton 3 for 14, J Honeyford 2 for 11).

Dunfermline and Carnegie (20) 135 for 4, (D Miller 52, M Jones 22, J Singh 21).

On Sunday, in the same division, Broomhall were involved in a thriller with Watsonians’ third XI which they lost by a narrow margin of three runs.

Watsonians took first lease at Myreside and scored steadily throughout their innings.

Stuart Glasgow pegged away at the batsmen and was rewarded with four wickets but a score of 179 was never going to be easy to chase down.

Chris Hoefling and Scott Lucas batted well for the Charlestown side and the reply was causing the hosts some concern.

However, a middle-order collapse stalled things and while Thomas Lucas got things back on track, they finished three agonising runs short.

Watsonians third XI (20) 179 for 8, (D Davies 70, P Brown 21, S Glasgow 4 for 33, S Lucas 2 for 25).

Broomhall (9) 176, (S Lucas 42, C Hoefling 40, G Carr 3 for 31).

Dunfermline and Carnegie’s second XI ended a recent losing run by toppling Division 7 leaders Marchmont third XI at McKane Park on Sunday.

On being asked to bat, the home side rattled along at a fast rate with Faissal leading the way and skipper Alan Leitch playing his part in keeping the scoreboard ticking along.

There were solid contributions from everyone as more than 200 was posted.

The visitors struggled to maintain the scoring rate and as wickets fell, their hopes faded.

Dunfermline and Carnegie second XI (20) 213 for 5, (W Faissal 55, A Leitch 48, P Daughtrey 29, N Sharma 24, S Goswami 3 for 23).

Marchmont third XI (8) 165 for 7, (M Fraser 47, P Daughtrey 2 for 34, C Harris 2 for 12).

In the same division, Broomhall’s second XI gave a fine performance on Saturday at The Cairns to beat Carlton’s fifth XI by 79 runs.

On batting first, Broomhall scored freely and Alan Gudgin led the way with a well-made half century and there were other strong contributions by Barron and Stringer as 200 was passed.

Carlton tried hard to pose problems and while they scored more than four an over, they lost too many wickets mid-innings and finished well short.

Broomhall second XI (20) 250 (A Gudgin 57, I Barron 42, P Stringer 38, E Keatinge 3 for 55).

Carlton fifth XI (8) 171 for 8, (A Aitken 43, C Hall 3 for 15, P Ward 3 for 21).