by Jim Stark

DUNFERMLINE and Carnegie Cricket Club's bid for East Division Three promotion gathered further steam with a six-wicket win on Saturday.

They travelled to Tranent and Preston Village having won each of their opening seven league games, and they impressed on their way to another to keep themselves clear at the summit.

On putting the home side into bat, the McKane Park outfit bowled well and kept the brakes on the scoring rate, with Tranent and Preston Village losing wickets steadily.

The seamers of player-coach Steve Rowley and the spin of Martin Honeyford caused the hosts problems and they were bowled out eventually for 127.

Although Dunfermline and Carnegie lost a couple of early wickets, which perked up home hopes, Vasu Reddy batted with control and punished the bad ball to keep the scoreboard ticking over well.

With support from Honeyford, Reddy guided them home to leave them top of the table ahead of Hawick and Wilton, who have won seven games from seven, with those two 25 per cent ahead of third-top Haddington.

Tranent and Preston Village (5) 126, (M Abdulla 25, S Rowley 4 for 19, M Honeyford 3 for 18, J Honeyford 2 for 16).

Dunfermline and Carnegie (20) 127 for 4, (V Reddy 64 not out, M Honeyford 24, G Brunton 2 for 17).

In Division Four, Broomhall strengthened their own challenge at the top end of the table with a successful run chase at Dunbar.

On batting first, the home side scored consistently at between three and four an over, but good work by the Broomhall attack kept the brake on them.

A target of 175 was still a major challenge but fine knocks by Ieuan Ward and Chris Hoefling, added to by useful cameos from Jack Hynd and Scott Lucas, kept the run rate well above what was needed and the visitors got home by four wickets, a result which keeps them in third spot.

Dunbar (8) 174 for 5, (I Wanless 68, C Miller 32, C Hoefling 2 for 14. I Ward 2 for 22).

Broomhall (20) 178 for 6, (I Ward 46, C Hoefling 43, S Lucas 24, J Hynd 20, R Charlton 3 for 24).

In Division Seven, Dunfermline and Carnegie second XI went second-top with a 14-run win over Clackmannan County second XI at McKane Park.

The home side batted first and, despite losing two early wickets, scored at a healthy rate.

The introduction of Johnny Hutton saw the runs begin to flow further and his superb 81 helped Dunfermline and Carnegie set a target of 160.

Clacks batted solidly but struggled to keep up with the necessary run rate, and a fine spell by Neil Harris broke the back of their challenge.

Dunfermline and Carnegie second XI (20) 160 for 5, (J Hutton 81, D Miller 32).

Clackmannan County second XI (7) 146 for 8, (N Harris 4 for 21).