HOPES of a second successive promotion for Dunfermline and Carnegie Cricket Club were boosted on Saturday – despite them not playing.

The McKane Park club's first XI had a free weekend in East of Scotland Cricket Association Division Two but their standing in the table improved thanks to favourable results elsewhere.

Defeats for Stewart's Melville seconds and Kirk Brae, who went into the weekend in the top two positions, reduced the gap to the former, who are leading the way, to a points percentage of seven.

Dunfermline and Carnegie are third in the table, with Edinburgh Accies seconds above them, and Kirk Brae one place behind, having played at least one game less than each of their rivals in the chase for promotion.

Last season's Division Three champions saw their game with Carlton thirds in Edinburgh held over to this Sunday, due to the hosts' Grange Loan venue being double-booked, with a home match at Boroughmuir also due to be played on Saturday.

Two victories could put Dunfermline and Carnegie in a strong position, and skipper Arfan Yousaf said: "It was disappointing not to have a game on a beautiful day weather-wise but the results for Stewart’s Melville and Kirk Brae have been an unexpected bonus.

"We have to go out and win both games this weekend for, if we do, it could place us in a very challenging position."

Broomhall, however, were in action at the weekend and remain in trouble at the wrong end of Division Three after defeat to Murrayfield/DAFS second XI.

The West Fifers made the trip to the capital and saw their opponents take first lease of the wicket, batting solidly to score at a rate of five runs per over for the most part, and set a target of 216.

Despite Ieuan Ward batting well, scoring 43 runs, he found few partners that could stay with him as Broomhall fell to a heavy 155-run defeat to stay second-bottom of the table.

Murrayfield/DAFS 2nd XI (20) 216 for 8, (L Mulholland 58, S Raman 31, P Dabell 4 for 38).

Broomhall (4) 61, (I Ward 43, R Hussey 2 for 4, S Ullah 2 for 14, A Singh 2 for 21).

In Division Six, Dunfermline and Carnegie's second XI are also looking over their shoulders after defeat to leaders Edinburgh South seconds at McKane.

After winning the toss, the home side elected to bat, with George Olney enjoying a fine, unbeaten innings of 99.

However, Dylan Wood was the only other home batsman to reach double figures as Dunfermline and Carnegie posted a fragile-looking total of 143, which the capital outfit proved was the case as they cruised home in 31 overs for a seven-wicket win.

The result leaves Dunfermline and Carnegie in eighth place, with a points percentage of 51.82, just one spot above second-bottom Old Contemptibles, whose points percentage is 50.

Dunfermline and Carnegie 2nd XI (6) 143, (G Olney 99 not out, D Wood 16, A Mundin 4 for 22, S Govindam 3 for 26).

Edinburgh South 2nd XI (20) 146 for 3, (H Barratt 75 not out, D Vithlani 64).