All the spotlight at Bothwell Castle policies may have been trained on  Australian pro Ed Cowan and the fantastic new pavilion cum clubhouse,  but it was Gavin Bradley who emerged as an unlikely hero in  Uddingston's clinical opening-day triumph over hapless Poloc.

Cowan marked his SNCL debut with a brilliant 163, while the facilities  proved themselves to be as well-appointed as any in Scotland.

However, the unsung Bradley popped up to complete the demolition job  by snapping up a career best five for 15 as the visitors crashed to 87  all out in pursuit of a lofty 269.

Cowan has clearly made an instant impression on and off the park.  Uddingston stalwart David Baxter said: "He arrived on Tuesday and from  the first minute of the first training session, Ed made it clear how  he wanted things done.

"He told the guys he was a fitness fanatic and that he expected them  to work their backsides off. There were a few grimaces and gulps, but  everyone was right behind him."

Baxter added: "Our new overseas amateur, Brett Webber, has also cut an  impressive figure. There were a few exclamations of disbelief last  weekend when he turned down the offer of a pint because he was  preparing for the pre-season friendly, also against Poloc."

While Cowan was creating mayhem, Webber played the perfect supporting  role - following up his ton last weekend with an equally bright stint  at the crease, ending unbeaten on 59.

The pair put on 182 in a marvellous third wicket stand, though their  passage was made all the easier by Poloc's poor outfield catching and  a couple of missed stumping chances.

Fraser Watts marked his return to Carlton with a typically robust  century to provide the platform for their triumph over Ayr.

But the Scotland stalwart was quick to play down his own contribution  at Cambusdoon, insisting on sharing the limelight with teenage seamer  Ally Evans.

The former George Watson's pupil marked his top flight debut with  three crucial wickets as the seasiders were shot out for just 123  chasing 220.

Watts, who has gone back to the Edinburgh outfit following a spell  with Greenock, said: "From my own point of view it was a great feeling  to get some runs straight away.

"I have been really excited about re-establishing links with Carlton  and I hope there are more big scores in the offing."

On the efforts of Evans, he added: "Ally is definitely a lad with a  big future. He is a big, raw lad who is all arms and legs. But the  important thing is that he puts the ball in the right place and gives  it everything."

Watts reached 117 before being snapped up by Matt Horne off Andi  McElnea. He was given stout support by Stevie Gilmour, Cedric and  English and Bryn Lockie, who all passed the 20 mark.

Grange underlined their tag as title favourites by demolishing  Watsonians in the Edinburgh derby at Myreside.

Sonians were skittled out for only 87, and though the visitors lost  six wickets in their chase, they were never in danger of being defeated.

The evergreen Stuey Davidson emerging as the man who mattered most for  Grange.

The all rounder snapped up four for 21, while Gregor Maiden and Johnny  Gray weighed in with two scalps each at a total cost of only 25.

Swami Rajagopal and young Scotland prospect Ryan Flannigan were the  only two Sonians to offer any meaningful resistance with 23 and 18  respectively.

Grange were cruising to the target at 76 for two with pro Warren  McSkimming and Saltires star Neil McCallum appearing to be in total  control.

However, both had rushes of blood to the head and fell victim to young  spinner Ross Paxton in quick succession, trying to smash the ball out  the park in each case.

There were more jitters when skipper Sanjay Patel and Cammy Coles  perished in tame style - leaving Giles Holmes to keep his cool and  guide them past the finishing line without further alarm.

Rain may have put paid to all but one of Saturday's scheduled matches but there was enough drama at Mannofield to compensate for inactivity elsewhere.

Aberdeenshire have been installed as pre-season favourites following near misses in the last two years, including a promotion play-off defeat to Poloc last September.

Few who saw their impressive demolition of Arbroath would argue that they will surely be the team to beat this summer.

Arbroath found the new-look Dons too hot to handle in what proved to be a one-sided encounter during which an explosive innings from Simon McGillewie stole the show. The home side had looked solid if unspectacular in moving to 160 from 40 overs.

However, ten overs of fireworks from McGillewie effectively took the match away from the Lichties and enabled the Dons to add 100 more runs from the final ten overs.

The South African-born batsman hammered a superb unbeaten 68 from only 24 deliveries in a knock which included two boundaries and eight sixes.

More than a new season may have dawned for Dunfermline on Saturday. With a new name and a new-look side, the Knights, as they are now known, would appear to mean business this summer.

They travelled to People's Park to face a Stoneywood-Dyce whom many expect to be among the challengers for promotion. However,

Vassu Reddy set the tone with a superb knock of 98, digging in at first before opening out with a flurry of fifteen boundaries and one six. He was given support by Mushty Beg (26) and player-coach Steven Fryer (34no) as the Knights posted a challenging 205-5.

Safiann Sharif, Dunfermline's young pace bowling recruit from Largo, then became something of a hero on his SNCL debut, removing the dangerous Jan Stander cheaply on his way to claiming 3-20. Fryer also weighed in with 3-25 as the Dyce side were restricted to 177-9. Fryer said: "The club is stronger than it was last season and there is a mood of optimism which is very encouraging. It was a good team performance but I have to pay tribute to Vassu who produced a great innings."

In the only other game to survive, Edinburgh carved out a 41-run success over Weirs at Academy Park.