Baxter adds pace to his batting with a tennis ball

First, suspend a tennis ball on string from an open doorway, then

smash it back and forth off hopefully strong walls and the ceiling.

The idea is to gain confidence to go down the wicket and knock seven

bells out of what opposition bowlers decide is coming your way. Five

years after having first tried this low-tech system, young Baxter

earlier last week gave the tennis ball the treatment again.

On Saturday, West Lothian bowler Gordon Hollins found out that the

practice was almost perfect when he was hit for 25 runs off the final

over of Aberdeenshire's innings in the Scottish Counties' match at

Boghall. Baxter's figures were 4, 6, 2, 6, 6, 1.

Baxter, however, still is better known for his pace bowling, and along

with another Mannofield-trained youngster, Chris Mearns -- he has four

under-19 caps -- and professional Rod Estwick, West Lothian were

destroyed by 104 runs.

Neil McRae set up the title challengers' total of 192 for eight with a

superb 51, with Baxter's run spree helping to make what would have been

an average total much more difficult to catch, although the Linlithgow

side's professional, Mark Angel, had bowling figures of five for 39.

Before West Lothian could get comfortable at the wicket, they were

seven for three, with Baxter at one point having figures of two for nil

in his first seven deliveries.

The final total of 88 was due to the speedy Mearns taking four for 17,

Estwick four for 33, and Baxter finishing with figures of two for 13 off

nine overs.

Leaders Arbroath had a right old battle with Ayrshire at Lochlands.

Fine batting from George Salmond (69), Bimal Jadeja (45), and Arun

Trivedi (40) took them to 211 for seven. Clarence Parfitt was in among

the wickets again, Saturday's haul being five for 32. Ayrshire, however,

held out for a draw on 100 for seven.

Jim Pennycuik and young Aussie professional Adam Gilchrist had a

third-wicket stand of 42 for Perthshire against Stirling County.

Gilchrist made 32, and David Patton was unbeaten on 40 as they reached

138 all out -- usually a reasonable score on the Williamfield wicket.

Stirling's bowling honours went to David Callender

(3-19), George McGuire (3-29), and the ever economical Willie Morton

with two for 24 in 16 overs. Skipper Bruce Russell had an excellent day

in the field with four catches.

The Stirling batsmen were in form. Graham Buick hit 44, with Jon

Taylor and Russell each contributing 33 towards 142 for four.

Forfarshire's draw with Fifeshire was frustrating for both sides,

Forfarshire taking nine wickets, and Fifeshire scoring more than 200

runs for the second match in a row without gaining a victory.

Forfarshire's 236 for six was built from a superb 86 by Richard Chee

Quee, while Fife can put their 213 for nine down to 65 from Ashok

Malhotra and 55 from Wayne Sullivan.

Mark Kelaher was Strathmore's star performer as they defeated

Clackmannan. He was unbeaten on 93 as Strathie made 198 for five, and

then had amazing bowling figures of 10 overs, 10 maidens, no wicket for

nought.

In the wickets, however, was Mark Stewart with six for 33 and

Clackmannan were bowled out for 49.