ALEX Baum last night held his nerve as Western Warriors sent holders Caley Highlanders crashing to defeat in a Regional Series thriller.

Warriors, looking to build on last week’s win over Eastern Knights, looked to be cruising as Calum MacLeod’s 66 put them on course to overhaul Caley’s 183-8.

MacLeod shared a fourth-wicket stand of 72 with Richie Berrington who made a hard-hitting 35 with two sixes.

However, the Highlanders fought back bravely to claim a flurry of wickets and leave the wobbling Warriors needing eight runs from the final over.

Aberdeenshire’s Tyler Buchan restricted the hosts to five six from the first four deliveries while a run-out left Greenock youngster Baum striding to the wicket to face the last delivery.

However, the Scotland U19 star calmly struck it through midweek for a match-winning boundary.

Earlier, the Highlanders made a brisk start with Michael Leask hitting a rapid 31 and Stoneywood-Dyce team-mate Jan Stander 23.

And Caley looked on target for a total in excess of 200 when Matty Parker top-scored with 43 including four boundaries.

However, the Warriors’ spinners applied the brakes with Moneeb Iqbal claiming 3-32.

West now top the table while Caley will attempt to get their campaign on track in a must-win clash with the Knights at Strathmore on Sunday.

Regional Series Score
Bothwell Castle Policies
Caley Highlanders 183-3 (M Parker 43, M Leask 31; M Iqbal 3-32) lost to Western Warriors 186-7 (C MacLeod 66, R Berrington 35; M Parker 3-16) by three wickets.