Conference B

Ronnie McGregor, the Poloc saviour, could not understand what all the fuss was about. No matter that he had just taken six wickets in what looked like being a rout, only to have to reappear in the middle to steer his jitter-ridden mates beyond the finishing post with one wicket to spare.

McGregor was the only one in the vicinity of Shawholm who took in his stride the astonishing turn of events which saw Poloc stagger across the finishing post after the bowler's onslaught had helped reduce RHSM to 62 all out.

However, for ''Rob Roy,'' who apparently already wears this particular T-shirt, it was just another day at the office. ''The same thing happened to me almost 10 years ago to the day,'' offered the Poloc player by way of explanation for his indifference to the most remarkable game of the season to date.

''On that occasion we had got Uddingston all out for 54 and I had taken seven wickets. Suddenly, I found myself striding to the middle with the side still needing a single to win. Luckily I was able to score it.''

Poloc's plight was even more accute on Saturday, with the home side still needing eight runs to complete what should have been a formality when McGregor joined Andy Smith at the wicket.

Smith was given a life when he was dropped at mid-on, but the young PhD student recovered his poise to hit the winning runs.

It was only when McGregor completed the last mad dash to the other end that he momentarily lost his cool.

McGregor offered genuine sympathy for the capital troops who had defied the odds with their battling comeback. That they even reached 62 was due to a mid-order recovery, led by Masood Ali, which saw them fight back from near-oblivion at 27 for six.

However, Poloc were cruising to their expected victory at 49 for four before the twist in the tail set up a nerve-jangling climax.

Five wickets fell for the loss of six runs to leave the Glasgow side staring down the barrel at 55 for nine. However, McGregor took matters in hand and, after a few calming words to Smith, Poloc claimed their win.

McGregor was at pains to point out that the much maligned Shawholm track wasn't so much to blame for the low scoring as some decent bowling and poor batting.

Poloc can now look forward to battling for a place in the top flight of the National League after the winning points saw them surging up the table.

McGregor added: ''We were eighth before Saturday's game without having played poorly. I think we've proved we'll be a force.''

However, they have some way to go before catching West of Scotland who stayed out in front thanks to a well-timed run-chase at Stoneywood-Dyce.

The home side threw down the gauntlet by declaring on 175 for nine after 50 overs and they were strongly in contention after removing Corey Richards for 45.

However, for the second week on the trot, Alan Williamson showed his prowess with the bat in scoring what proved to be a decisive unbeaten 45, the winning runs coming with just nine balls to spare.

However, Stoneywood believe they are still on course for top flight cricket. Home coach Grant Dugmore said: ''Getting as close as we did against a team like West shows how far we've come. All our defeats have been narrow ones.''

Drumpellier improved their propects of a top-three finish by seeing off Falkland's challenge at Langloan. Former West of Scotland and Arbroath star, Amritash Agrawalla, had his best performance since joining the Coatbridge club with five for 21 as the Fifers were bowled out for 162.

Skipper Alan Stevenson then continued recent solid form with the bat, scoring a patient 51 to underpin Drumps' successful chase.