Scottish Cup
With two of Scottish cricket's most illustrious names in town, Glasgow's west-end was the place for potential cup shocks yesterday. Heriot's and Aberdeenshire arrived at New Anniesland and Hughenden respectively with undefeated domestic records to protect. Both survived intact as the so-called romance of the cup failed to materialise for Glasgow Accies and Hillhead.
The margin of Accies' defeat - a mammoth 198 runs - was particularly hard on the Glasgow side, who had to face their opponents, joint leaders of Conference A, without professional Vedam Hariharan, their one potential match-winner.
Accies may also have nursed the notion that the Goldenacre pro, Shahid Aslam, having taken eight wickets for the loss of only 12 runs the previous day at McKane Park, Dunfermline, might be due a quieter game.
If they did, it was a forlorn hope.
The Pakistani player demonstrated his true all-round ability with a brilliant undefeated 69, joining forces with Scotland's Director of Cricket, Jim Love, in a partnership which put the game beyond Accies' reach.
Aslam stroked six stylish boundaries, but was equally impressive darting between the wickets to keep piling up the runs.
Meanwhile, Love, having already fleeced the home attack for two mighty 6s, reached his half-century when he hit successive 4s.
Soon after, there was a moment of rare success for the home side when their young seamer, Suhail Riaz, forced the former England international into a false stroke and held on to a simple caught and bowled chance.
That was about as good as it got for Accies, however, as Heriot's, having been given a solid foundation by openers Euan McIntyre (32) and Jamie Watkins (62), went on to amass an unassailable 276 for six
It was all about consolations for the New Anniesland men thereafter, and the former Glasgow League side were happy to point out that their 78 was more than double that managed by National League Dunfermline the previous day.
They had also restricted Aslam to just three wickets - one a highly contentious lbw which ended Fin Stuart's brave resistence, and sparked the sort of outburst from the batsman which spoiled the image of a quiet Sunday afternoon in the park.
There was further solace offered by schoolboy Hugh Fulton, one of Scotland international Mike Allingham's four victims. How-ever, with justifiable pride the teenager talked of his superb display the previous day when these sides met at schools level.
That encounter had gone comfortably Accies' way, in no small part due to master Fulton's unbeaten 35.
Hillhead's suffering was perhaps more acute for the fact that they had a shock victory within their grasp.
Skipper Rocky Bond led the way with five wickets as Aberdeenshire were restricted to 184.
When Mike Smith's early onslaught came to an end, it was left to Neil MacRae to play the major role for the side from the north with an accomplished 63.
But home pro Grant Parmenter looked in the mood, giving Smith a touch of his own medicine by smashing him for two 6s
Even after he had offered fellow Aussie Garth Nottle a simple return catch, the plucky Glasgow side rallied from 69-5 to 141-6.
With Chris Horn and Lee Williamson both well set, there were genuine hopes for Hillhead.
However, Nottle had the final say, returning match-winning figures of six for 19 to add to his three for 22 at Stirling on Saturday.
Hillhead spokesman Malcolm McLean said: ''The lads have no need to feel downhearted. We're not quite used to playing at this level every week, but we're learning all the time.''
The form book also ruled at Penicuik where the home side managed just 137 for seven against Clydedsale who then knocked off the runs in 25 overs with Amir Hanif unbeaten on 79.
Holders Grange were offered surprisingly frail resistence from Ayr, who managed just 145. A century opening stand between Roddy Smith and Steve Crawley made it a formality for the Edinburgh side.
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