Steve Barron claims wicket hat-trick as Forres St Lawrence claim North of Scotland cricket league victory over Elgin at Cooper Park

A hat-trick and some sparkling batting gave Forres the win over Elgin on Saturday.

The Forres innings was a well-paced one as the opening batsmen Pal Dhami and Derek Ross gave themselves time to settle in.

The Elgin bowling was steady, youngster Rory Chalmers bowling a good opening spell. Only 26 runs came from the first ten overs whilst the next ten brought another 52 although it was workman like batting which brought dividends.

A couple of flash shots added to the total, one came from Ross: a straight six which came out of the blue, back over the bowlers head.

Elgin were not bowling badly, they just couldn’t make any chances and it took a good catch to take the first wicket. Dhami hoisted the ball to the long off boundary where Hawkins looked to be ready to let the ball fly over his head but a last minute effort landed the catch.

As ever, a well worked innings from Dhami, 62 out of 97 runs made in 23 overs.

Gus Farr was sent in at three to up the run rate, Ross stepping up the pace too and they ran along nicely until Ross was caught at mid-on off Chalmers for 50, pushing the score on.

The Forres middle order fell easily but gave Farr the chance to take the score past 200 until he was caught on the boundary off Quilliam for a sparkling 55. The innings closed on 222 for 6, a good total to have posted.

The Elgin reply got off to a good start with both Rick Wimble and Rob Quilliam sharing the scoring.

Merricks and Goldring took the new ball but couldn’t find the breakthrough so they settled in to bowl tidily.

Ellwood and Barron came on as change bowlers, looking to break the partnership which saw 88 on the board as 20 overs came up and drinks.

First ball after the break Wimble chased a wide ball off Barron which saw a cracking full stretch catch by Du Toit to remove the opener for 19.

Elgin were becalmed, Euan Fairgrieve was feeling for the ball, Quilliam needed to keep up with the run rate but then he chopped the ball onto his own stumps, falling for 65.

A score of 104 for 2 in the 24th over petered out to 138 for 9 at the end of the 40 overs thanks largely to a hat-trick from Steve Barron. The first wicket saw Hawkins edge to slip, followed by a gentle catch at gully from Connor Macabhuinn then McWilliam was bowled middle stump. Joy for Barron but not the Elgin batting line up.

Two wickets for McGhee before the overs ran out, leaving Forres with an 84 run win.

This Saturday is the final game of the season for Forres Saints, away at Ross County.