A SUPERB century partnership between captain Cedric English and Bryn Lockie paved the way for Carlton's win over Ayr in the SNCL Premier Division on Saturday.
The 96-run victory at Grange Loan keeps Carlton in the title race, tucked in behind Greenock and Grange.
The home side had been reduced to 36-2 with Fraser Watts and Peter Wooden out, but English and Lockie came together to steady the ship.
Eng
lish was in imperious form, striking his second century of the campaign with 110, while Lockie scored 80 – his highest score of 2008 – before being run out.
Their partnership took the game away from the visitors and helped Carlton reach 255-6 from their 50 overs.
Carlton wicketkeeper Jamie Kerr said: "They both batted really well and we felt that it was a good score to get up to."
And a good score it certainly proved to be when Ayr were bowled out for 159.
Chief menaces with the ball were pro Wooden (3-13) and English (3-23) and it was the latter who got the key wicket of Ayr talisman Matt Horne, lbw for 69. Young seam trio Ally Evans, Charles Legget and Michael Radnidge were also in on the act with the ball to lead Carlton to 10 points.
Elsewhere in the top flight on Saturday, Heriot's lost at home to Clydesdale.
Pro Cameron Farrell and Anthony Edington took three wickets apiece to help restrict the visitors to 175-8 from their allotted overs, but Heriot's then slumped to 151 all out.
In the First Division, father and son duo Willie and Keith Morton shared seven wickets as Penicuik beat Freuchie.
Willie took 4-29 and vice-captain Keith 3-53 as the hosts restricted Freuchie to 184-9 at Kirkhill. Captain Stuart Chalmers then scored 87 not out while pro Mohammed Ramzanalong reached 49 not out as the Midlothian men won by nine wickets.
RH Corstorphine are still in the Second Division title race after a comfortable seven-wicket win against Dumfries. They restricted the visitors to 164 all out, Mark Allen the key man taking 3-25.
Captain Preston Mommsen then took his league runs tally for 2008 to over 450 with 83 not out as the 10 points stayed at East Barnton Avenue.
SMRH lost to Prestwick and Edinburgh stay bottom after a loss to Weirs.
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