A CAPTAIN'S performance from Daniel Styer helped set Dunfermline and Carnegie Cricket Club on their way to a first win of the season on Saturday.

The McKane Park club's first XI welcomed Kirk Brae in an East of Scotland Cricket Association (ESCA) Division Two fixture and claimed a 52-run victory.

That was inspired by a fine spell of fast bowling from skipper Styer, who took five wickets as the visitors collpased to 85-all-out whilst chasing Dunfermline and Carnegie's total of 137.

On batting first, the hosts steadily put together their run total, which saw Anthony Xavier top score with 28, and aided by good contributions from David Miller, Haider Sultan and Richard Cox.

When their opponents made their way to the crease, Dunfermline and Carnegie sought early wickets and got them, thanks to fiery spells from Steyr and Muhammad Shafiq, leaving Kirk Brae on 30 runs for three.

There was a stand by middle order batsman, Abdul Ghaffar, but he was a victim of Styer’s second spell, which saw him bring his tally to five wickets.

He was well supported by Johnny Hutton, and wicket-keeper Dylan Wood, who took four catches, and they were bowled out within 24 overs.

The win, which came after their scheduled match the previous week at Murratfield DAFS second XI was postponed due to an unplayable ground, moves Dunfermline and Carnegie up to fifth in the table.

This weekend, they go to second-top Kelso, where a victory would aid their bid to be part of the promotion race.

Dunfermline and Carnegie first XI (20) 137, A Xavier 28, D Miller 24, H Sultan 17, R Cox 16, M Asif 4 for 25, G Singh 2 for 19.

Kirk Brae (6) 85, A Ghaffar 18, D Styer 5 for 19, J Hutton 3 for 20.

In Division Five, Dunfermline and Carnegie's second XI mounted a successful run chase to record a three-wicket win in a dramatic finish to their match at Gala second XI.

The hosts batted well on taking first lease of the wicket, but the away side's attack kept at it and contained them reasonably well, leaving them with a target of 166 to reach.

Although they lost wickets, Dunfermline and Carnegie kept scoring at the required run rate, with Kasun Piyumal, Muhammad Irfan and Nishi Nithiyannathan all doing well, and it became clear as time went on that the contest was set for an exciting conclusion.

Going into the final over, the visitors needed some runs to win and, with a ball to go, managed it to secure a second successive win that moved them into the top half of the table.

Gala second XI (9) 166 for 6, E Karunarathna 75, J Crooks 59, M Irfan 4 for24, M Ashraf 2 for 32.

Dunfermline and Carnegie second XI (20) 168 for 7, K Piyumal 39, M Irfan 34, N Nithiyannathan 27, K Skeldon 3 for 42.

In Division Eight, Dunfermline and Carnegie third XI's match away to Leith FAB fourth XI on Sunday was abandoned.

During the West Fifers' reply to Leith's total of 160, heavy rain caused the match to be halted, with the visitors on 38 runs for four wickets after 15 overs.

This Saturday, Dunfermline and Carnegie second XI welcome Melrose to McKane Park in Division Five, whilst the third XI entertain Marchmont fourth XI in Division Eight at The Cairns, with all matches starting at 1pm.

Meanwhile, in the Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union (SPCU), Division Two, Broomhall saw their scheduled match at Falkland third XI on Saturday conceded by the home side.

On Sunday, they travelled to Brechin to play Crescent Cricket Club Aberdeen in a replay of the Crickety SPCU T20 Trophy Final 2023, which was abandoned last year due to heavy rain.

It was Crescent who took home the silverware, however, after posting a total of 184 runs for five wickets in their 20 overs, with Broomhall 85 all-out after 18.4.

Broomhall are not back in league action until Saturday May 25.