RICHIE Berrington stroked a magnificent unbeaten century as Clydesdale launched the defence of their Western Premier title in style with victory over East Kilbride yesterday.

Dale’s ability to win the league for a third consecutive year has been questioned during a turbulent close season which saw the departure of several of last summer’s key performers including skipper Majid Haq.

However, yesterday’s dominant display at Titwood may silence some of the sceptics. Not that there has ever been any doubt over the class of Berrington who has the ability to dominate the best of bowlers.

In truth East Kilbride’s attack had already been blunted by the time Berrington walked to the middle with the total on 131-2, Mo Awais in full flow on his way to 84 from only 64 deliveries.

That effort, though, was to be spectacularly eclipsed as Berrington went about his business. The Scotland man eased effortlessly to a half-century before moving through the gears to reach three figures from 84 balls with one of his many boundaries.

He went on to finish unbeaten on 139, having faced jut 98 balls, stroking 20 boundaries and three maximums as Dale powered their way to an imposing 339-6.

All the visiting bowlers suffered but former Scotland leg-spinner Moneeb Iqbal claimed three wickets.

In reply East Kilbride were never in the hunt, losing wickets at regular intervals as Dale’s new-look youthful attack settled to their task.

Aliyan Qureshi marked his debut with two early wickets while Berrington removed the dangerous Iqbal before Con de Lange’s three quick-fire strikes had the visitors reeling on 88-7. They were eventually all out for 140, de Lange ending with four wickets and Qureshi three.

Poloc showed why they are strongly fancied to challenge during their first season in the top flight by beating Ferguslie at Shawholm.

Owais Shah’s 65 helped the newcomers post a challenging 235-8 before Ferguslie appeared to be cruising at 101-1.

However, the home bowlers, proving an impressive unit, stuck to their task to dismiss the Paisley side for 203, Michael English top-scoring with 47.

There was no joy for fellow new boys Greenock who went down by 61 runs to Uddingston in a rain-affected tussle at Glenpark.

Eastern Premier champions Carlton were on the receiving end of a shock on the opening day of their title defence as Glenrothes ran out winners at Gilvenbank.

Electing to bat first, the underdogs made the most of their decision as openers Fred Culley and Aidan Justus put the Fifers in charge with a brilliant stand of 167.

Culley was eventually out for 91 as a deserved century beckoned while Justus fell for 46 shortly after. Their departures saw the hosts slump to 249-9 but it proved enough as Carlton, with a youthful batting line-up, fell short.

If Glenrothes produced the shock of the day, Aberdeenshire provided the standout run-chase in an astonishing clash with Forfarshire at Forthill.

The home side looked unassailable after posting 340 but Chris Venske’s hard-hitting 98 set the tone for the Dons reply and the Mannofield men eventually cruised home with five wickets to spare.

Mark Watt hit a superb 108 in a Heriot’s total of 247-8 against Grange at Portgower Place but it proved insufficient as the hosts eased to victory, while Watsonians were too strong for promoted SMRH, winning by 121 runs at Inverleith and Arbroath had a four-wicket success against Falkland at Lochlands.