THERE'S a row of trees, a leafy if somewhat occasionally overgrown lane, and a smart row of bungalows down one side of West Lothian's Boghall ground at Linlithgow. It's known affectionately as ``Davie's Corner.''
And the cricketer after whom this patch is named, David Fleming, showed just why on Saturday as he helped West Lothian to a 92-run victory over Grange. Fleming came in with his side reasonably comfortable at 123 for three, and as he later put it, ``looking towards a score of around the 180 mark.''
But the middle-order batsman, who is also the club's keeper, hammered 47 at virtually a run-a-ball, clattering three 6s and two 4s before Nehmiah Perry had him caught by Gordon Webster. That corner was peppered. In fact, there even was the amazing sight of what seemed like an army of grouse-beaters in white searching the undergrowth for the ball after one of his six-hits.
Fleming's connection with West Lothian is almost a story in itself. It has been the 32-year-old's only club, and he combines his cricket with a selling job with a Broxburn meat company. Also on a Saturday, he can be found as early as six in the morning helping head groundsman George Strachan.
But it was not only Fleming who put the skids under Grange on Saturday. Sanjay Patel scored his fourth consecutive half-century before falling lbw to Nick Peet for 57, and there were solid batting performances from Christian Vorster (37) and skipper Steve Crawley (31).
Vorster, the 19-year-old overseas amateur from South Africa and professional Ian Beven then systematically took Grange apart. Vorster was a bit expensive to start with, but when brought back by skipper Crawley, his fast-medium pace and accuracy was too much for the Edinburgh side, and he finished with five for 44 - his best return for the club.
Beven's accurate line and length gave him a final return which needs no further comment - 12.3 overs, seven maidens, four for 8.
Grange, chasing the home side's 201 for five total, were all out for 109 after Beven, with Paul Crosse at the other end, had restricted Grange to only five runs between the nineteenth and thirtieth overs of their innings.
Elsewhere, leaders Strathmore had a real battle on their hands against Carlton at Grange Loan - with the home side's Alan Macleod taking quite an amazing four for 36. All four of his wickets had Mark Kelaher, Nigel Hazel, Jarrad O'Hara, and Mike Gourlay back in the pavilion without scoring.
Fortunately for the league leaders, Greg Stewart was unbeaten on 53, and Mark Mudie hit 32 as Strathie hung on for 125 for seven chasing Carlton's total of 212 for seven, in which Bryn Lockie made 87, Robin Singh 40, and George Salmond 34. The Forfar side managed only eight points from their day's work, bringing the chasing pack closer.
Aberdeenshire are now second after defeating bottom club Prestwick at Mannofield. Prestwick had set the home side a target of 190, thanks to knocks of 43 each from David Haggo and Dom Rigby, with Kevin Thomson and Sanju Mudkavi each picking up three wickets.
But Mike Smith and overseas amateur Steven Glew were in devastating form, Smith stumped just after having reached his century, and Glew unbeaten on 87 as the home side raced to 193 for one.
Arbroath United are in third place after having gained the better of the draw against Heriot's at Lochlands. Murray Clark's half-century, Zahid Ali with 36, and Lionel Cann with 33 took the home side to 200 for six. But despite Steve Thomson's 40 and 35 from Mike Allingham, Kevin Stott weighed in with five for 55 to restrict te Edinburgh side to 158 for seven.
Ian Gavin hit 74 and Scott Birrell 55 to help Freuchie back to their winning ways against Watsonians at The Park, professional Steve Hertzberg taking three for 46. As 'Sonians chased Freuchie's 226 for nine, the same player hit 42, but David Cowan's four for 51, and a devastating three for eight by Andrew Crighton sent the Edinburgh side packing for only 121.
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