Glenrothes 1st XI v Forfarshire

GLENROTHES skipper Kenny Crichton believes his side are on course for top flight survival after they produced one of the biggest upsets of the season to beat title challengers Forfarshire at Gilvenbank.

The Fifers had managed just one win going into Saturday’s encounter while Forfarshire, despite defeat a week earlier, were hard on the heels of leaders Watsonians.

Forfarshire, though, were weakened by the absence of injured player-coach Graeme Beghin and captain Craig Wallace who was with the Scotland squad preparing for today’s ODI against Afghanistan.

And Crichton’s men, inspired by a superb all-round display by Keegan Rawling, took full advantage to upset the form-book in spectacular style and secure a seven-wicket success.

A proud captain declared: “This is a huge win for us. We obviously took advantage of Forfs missing Wallace and Beghin.

“Akbar used his experience to come up with one of his best performances of the season.

“Keegan Rawling produced a man-of-the-match display supported by a class knock by Fred Culley.”

Indeed, Rizwan Akbar and Rawling were the key men as Glenrothes took charge early on.

Akbar claimed the first four wickets to fall, including that of top scorer Aman Bailwal for 72, going on to finish with 5-26 while Rawling weighed-in with four as Forfarshire lost their last six wickets for just 22 runs.

Set a revised target of 162 in 41 overs following a rain interruption, the Fifers were on course for victory when Chris Greaves and Ben Wilkinson compiled a 60-run opening stand.

Both men, along with Roy, fell in quick succession as Glens briefly wobbled on 80-3.

However, Rawling completed a superb all-round display with a brilliant unbeaten 51 while Culley lent solid support with 34no as the home side completed a memorable victory with seven overs to spare.

The win has taken Glens above Falkland into third bottom place as the derby rivals scrap to avoid relegation and the pair meet in a crunch clash on Saturday.

Crichton added: “Next weekend’s game against Falkland is huge. I believe the winners will secure their place in the league.”

Written by Willie Dick