FORFARSHIRE captain Peter Drummond last night labelled pro Tom Cooper's match-winning knock against First Division rivals West of Scotland one of the best he has witnessed in Scottish cricket.
The Taysiders had been plunged into trouble at Forthill when they lost Saltires captain Ryan Watson for his third duck of the week. But Australian import Cooper demolished the West attack by thumping an unbeaten 142 to propel Shire to an emphatic si
x-wicket win which hoisted them into joint second place.
Drummond beamed: "It is hard to find words which would adequately describe Tom's innings, but it was certainly among the most accomplished I have seen in this country."
Cooper had earlier struck a vital blow by removing international veteran Dougie Lockhart by trapping him lbw when he was on 92.
Greg Watson (33) and Ian Young (30no) were also in stubborn form to guide West to 215 for five. And when Watson, Garden and Rob Cannon were dismissed, it seemed as if the visitors would cruise to glory. But Cooper had other ideas.
Aberdeenshire kept their noses in front at the head of the race by hammering Penicuik at Mannofield. Neil MacRae (76) and Ian Brand (64) were the mainstays as the Dons set a target of 212. Then Chris West took five scalps to help skittle Penicuik for 94 all out.
Freuchie suffered another downturn when they were crushed by Stirling County in a rain-affected tussle at Muir Road. The other two matches were washed out, as was the entire Second Division programme.
>BULLETS
The best all-round performance of the day came from Ferguslie's overseas amateur Wasim Haslim as the Paisley side snuffed out the challenge of Prestwick at Henry Thow Oval. Haslim snapped up four for 26 as the hosts were skittled for just 82. He then hit an unbeaten 32 to guide his side home.
A stunning second-wicket stand of 169 featuring Aussie pro Tim McIntosh and Scotland newcomer Richie Berrington acted as the platform for Greenock's success against Clydesdale at Titwood.
Meanwhile, Uddingston's quest to become the first Scottish club to reach the Lord's final of the Cockspur Cup was shattered as they were beaten by Chester-le-Street.
The full article contains 435 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
