Arbroath and Forfarshire appear solid bets to claim tickets to the SNCL Premiership top-four title play-offs thanks to wins against Dunfermline and West of Scotland respectively.

For Arbroath in particular, victory at Lochlands was especially enjoyable as it came hard on the heels of their Scottish Cup semi-final loss to the Knights six days earlier.

The Lichties were boosted by the return from injury of Scotland youngster Calvin Burnett, who declared: "We are all very excited at the prospects of competing strongly for the title.

"Being so near the top at this stage of the campaign is a decent effort in our first season at this level.

"It looks as if all the hard work in the club over the years is paying off.

"We just want to show that we deserve to be here."

On his own fitness situation, Burnett added: "My back was giving me a few problems after bowling because I was over compensating for my leg!

"It wasn't a brilliant display - but I think I was able to do my job."

Skipper Fraser Burnett laid the foundations at Lochlands with a fine knock of 61, while pro Harsha Vithana hit 31 to guide them to 179.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Vithana then made sure of the win by taking three for 28, sending the Knights slithering to 147 all out.

Former national captain Ryan Watson blasted 101 to take Forfarshire to their expected win against West. at Hamilton Crescent - but they left it late, sealing the success off the final delivery.

Brendan Fort provided stout support with 39 as Shire overhauled the hosts' tally of 232 for nine.

Stirling County plunged deeper into the basement zone as they crashed at the hands of Clydesdale.

County were in bother from the start and could only limp to 116 - a tally that never really tested Dale.

Grant Anderson was Stirling's most stubborn batsman with 42, while Josh Edwards took three for 19 to put a better complexion on the result.

Clydesdale's top performers in the five wicket win were Mohammed Ali (three for 23) and Majid Haq (42 not out).

Freuchie got back on winning tracks in the SNCL Championship - edging out SMRH.

Robbie Birrell (54) and Dale Cowan (four for 40) were the men who mattered most.

And on Clydeside, Falkland felt the full force of Renfrew as they plunged to a seven-wicket defeat.