However, they then lost both Ross McLean and Murray Clark in successive Mitchell (two for 26) overs. A further 25 was added by Matthew Parker and Fraser Burnett before the former was caught by Mohammed Ramzan from Stuart Chalmers' (three for 37) bowling.

Runs were proving difficult to come by, but Burnett (41 from 54 balls, six fours) and Greig Peal (27 from 81 balls) took the total to 84 in the 32nd over before Burnett was caught by Mitchell from the bowling of Ian Kirkhope who claimed a further two wickets as United slipped to 127 for eight in the 47th over.

Calvin Burnett (33 from 26 balls, one six, three fours) with Ewan Rosie scored quickly in the closing stages adding 34 before Burnett was caught by Willie Morton from Kirkhope's (4 for 46) bowling, United closing on 163 for nine.

United had a promising start when Penicuik batted as both Chalmers and Freddie Coleman were dismissed by Calvin Burnett (two for 20) to leave Penicuik on 28 for two after 12 overs. Ramzan (59 from 110 balls) and Greg Ruthven (73 from 99 balls, four fours, four sixes) gradually took the game away from United with a partnership of 124 which ended when Murray Clark caught Ramzan from Craig Ramsay's bowling.

Ruthven was dismissed in the following over, caught by Ramsay from Peter Clarke's bowling. This was United's last success as Morton and Thomson took Penicuik to a six-wicket victory with 4.4 overs remaining.

Arbroath United v Strathmore

STRATHMORE were the visitors to Lochlands on Saturday in a Dukes Strathmore and Perthshire Premier Division match. United lost Kevin Robb in the second over, stumped by Michael Gourlay from the bowling of Fraser Coutson. Mark Edwards was joined by Gavin Sinclair and they took the total to 59 in the 11th over when the latter was caught by Gary Hewitson from the bowling of Liam Sweeney.

A further 33 was added before Sweeney (two for 29) struck again, dismissing Jack Plomer. Edwards (62, seven fours) completed his half-century and he and Chris Shepherd (25) reached 149 in the 36th over when Edwards was dismissed by Drew Orr. Shepherd was dismissed in the following over and only Kevin Stott of the later batsmen reached double figures as United were dismissed in the 45th over for 185 with Orr taking five wickets for 30 and Graham Hewitson two for 24.

When Strathmore batted, Jamie Bowick and Euan Small quickly put them on the back foot as only 19 runs came from the opening 10 overs with Small bowling Andy Cooper. Gary Hewitson and Matthew Simpson reached 43 in the 17th over when the former became the first of two victims for Sean Christie (two for 27). Gourlay (20) was bowled by Small (three for 17) with the total on 72 and the bowler quickly followed up with the wicket of Douglas Sayers. Simpson (54) was finally sixth out in the 43rd over when he was stumped by Shepherd from the bowling of Kevin Stott.

Strathmore closed on 127 for six as United won by 58 runs. The match was sponsored by Sean Scriminger and friends.