Entertaining Edinburgh outfit Holy Cross Academicals in the last eight of the SCU Trophy on Sunday, Strathie were set a daunting task to earn victory, but entertained the home crowd with an excellent batting display.

The visitors took first lease of the wicket and recovered from a tardy start, losing two wickets for 34 runs, to rack up what looked a formidable 230 for four in four overs.

They had C. Ellis (74 not out) and E. Smith (65) to thank for the end tally, which left Strathie chasing 4.62 an over to secure a place in the last four of the competition.

They didn't get off to the best of starts, losing an early wicket, but then a century partnership between Chris Milne and anchor-man Mark McIntosh (28) got the hearts pumping.

Chris Milne went on to hit an impressive 94, holing out in sight of what would have been a deserved ton, having already hit ten boundaries, thee of them big sixes.

The home side lost another couple of quick wickets after the departure of Milne but, thanks to Matty Simpson (42) and Andy Cooper (33), were soon back on track, the winning line reached as early as the 41st over.

N. Patel took four for 40, but it was to be Strathie's day, following up a fine win in the league on the Saturday.

Entertaining Rossie Priory, Strathie lost two early wickets but settled down to build up a reasonable total to defend.

Mike Gourlay was the star with the bat, crashing 62, including six fours and one six, while Andy Cooper capped a fine all-round weekend performance with 34, Chris Milne limbering up for his Sunday knock with 23.

Strathie were all out for 159 in the 38th over, and it was then up to the bowlers to do their bit.

Matty Simpson struck two early blows and Rossie Priory were soon reeling at 38 for three.

They recovered somewhat, thanks to B. Stevens (40) and W. Turner (33), but once these two visitors had departed the crease the writing was on the wall, and Rossie were all out for 121 in the 38th over.

Matty Simpson ended with excellent figures of three for 27, Gary Hewitson also catching the eye with his haul of four wickets for 20.

The seconds were in action on the Sunday, crashing to Strathearn at Doocot Park. The home side racked up 175 for the loss of their ten wickets and it was all too much for the visitors, who could only muster 78 by the time the innings was wrapped up.

This coming Sunday, the Strathie firsts are on home soil yet again, entertaining Cupar in the league, while, on the Sunday, the Strathmore Funeral Directors-sponsored Factory Cup six-a-side tourney rises from the ashes, with five teams competing for the silverware from around 12 noon in a round-robin competition.