League reconstruction has been put firmly back on the agenda this season with administrators believed to favour the reintroduction of a regional set-up.
There were few supporters for such a backward step either at Portgower Place or Mannofield on Saturday where two splendid adverts for the National League were played out.
In the capital, Grange and Carlton were involved in a thrilling tie while newly promoted Aberdeenshire upset Greenock in the Granite City in a fixture which would have no part in a reformed league.
Of course, Grange and Carlton would still meet in a restructured set-up but, if played under the umbrella of the East League, future matches would surely be stripped of their elite status and, therefore, would be of limited interest to spectators, media and potential sponsors.
Carlton captain Cedric English believes there is widespread support for the status quo and little wonder following Saturday's splendid entertainment.
He said: "We had a good chat with the Grange lads after the game and we were all agreed that games like this are what the National League is all about. It was keenly contested and a pleasure to play in."
There was also frustration for English in a match which ebbed and flowed before the spoils were finally shared.
English, who top-scored in a match where Grange's 209 was equalled by Carlton's 209-8, said: "It was a fantastic game of cricket and a credit to both sides. We probably both feel as if we won it and lost it a few times but the tie shows how competitive it was."
Carlton will look back with more regrets than their rivals, having conceded 32 extras and then failed to capitalise on an excellent position with the bat.
The Grange Loan men were 140-1 before English was out for 66 while trying to accelerate to the finishing line.
In the end the visitors, with eight wickets down, needed 10 runs from the final over. It became two required from the last delivery but Drummond and Afzal could only scamper a leg bye.
Aberdeenshire, meanwhile, produced the surprise result of the day with a fine win over Greenock at Mannofield.
Brad Rodden's 55 was the highlight of the Dons' 171, a total few thought would be good enough against a nearfull strength Greenock side.
The home bowlers, though, had other ideas with Tyler Buchan claiming the key wicket of Cameron Borgas for just 8 as the visitors stumbled.
Craig Wright offered them some hope with 58 not out but Neil MacRae's three late wickets left the Greenock captain stranded with his team 25 runs adrift.
MacRae, Aberdeenshire's player-coach, said: "It was a great performance and we have shown we can compete in the top division."
Dougie Lockhart notched a half-century and produced a fine wicket-keeping display in West of Scotland's D/L win at Ayr while Clydesdale were comfortable winners against Heriot's at Titwood.
At Bothwell Castle Policies, Tom Plant scored 72 and then claimed the wicket of Andy Delmont, his South Australia colleague, in Uddingston's 55- run success over Watsonians. England defeated the West Indies by six wickets in the second NatWest Series oneday international at Bristol yesterday.
The NatWest Series, Bristol West Indies 160 (D Bravo 50, S Broad 4-46); England 161-4 (P Collingwood 47no). England bt West Indies by 6 wkts
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