Conference B
The anticipated run feast failed to materialise from the meeting of the country's two most prolific professionals on Saturday.
Instead, with Corey Richards, West of Scotland's brilliant Australian, and Poloc's Pakistan test opener Mohammed Ramzan, outfoxed by two of the domestic game's longest-serving bowlers, Alistair Storie stepped in to steal the Hamilton Crescent derby show with a welcome reminder of a rare home-grown talent.
The former Scotland captain, castigated in the past for slow scoring, has just the game for a crisis - an unflappable temperament, and one of the best techniques in the Scottish game.
And at 35 for three, Richards having edged veteran seamer Ronnie McGregor to the keeper, crisis was what West were in.
By the time Gregor Maiden had assisted in minor repairs, however, Storie felt sufficiently set to strike a number of attractive shots including one exquisite back foot cover drive which rocketed to the boundary.
At the other end, Alan Williamson contributed to the growing sense of home confidence in a breezy stay at the wicket which yielded two 6s and six 4s in a vital 49.
Williamson, having punished McGregor with a pull over the boundary, then lost his middle stump as the bowler gained immediate revenge, while Storie, on 58, departed in the following over when he mis-timed former Scotland colleague Keith Sheridan to long off. However, the pair were largely responsible for the home team's creditable 190 for eight.
Poloc were on course in their reply until West's 42 year-old seamer, John Cameron, induced an edge from Ramzan to bring a premature end to the Pakistani's involvement with his total on 32.
Brian Spence was then forced to take a leaf out of the Storie rearguard action manual in a painstaking 118-ball unbeaten 38 to help Poloc save the match at 117 for six.
RHSM moved into second place with a comfortable win over Carlton at Inverleith. Masood Ali led the way with 49 of the home side's 203 for nine before Carlton capitulated to 168 all out.
Like Carlton, Stoneywood-Dyce have seen their early advantage eroded by disappointing recent form. The trend continued on Saturday when a weakened Drumpellier side returned south with a 13-run win.
Chasing Drumps' 196 for nine from 52 overs, Stoneywood looked favourites when they needed 30 from the last six overs with three wickets in hand.
However, the loss of top scorer Steve Knox turned the tide, a run out followed, and the last man was lbw in the penultimate over.
Corstorphine notched their first win of the season to leave Perthshire firmly anchored at the foot, while Strathmore's clash with Falkland was the victim of a heavy downpour in Forfar with the visitors on 188 for four.
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