The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Arbroath let title slip on last day
EASTERN PREMIER: Heavy defeat at Carlton allows Heriot’s to steal glory
Having been pacesetters for the bulk of the season, Arbroath stumbled at the final hurdle to allow Heriot’s to steal the Eastern Premiership title on Saturday.
Arbroath were well beaten by deposed champions Carlton to leave the stage clear for Keith Morton’s team to sneak up on the rails and snatch the glory by brushing aside Aberdeenshire.
Arbroath batsman Fraser Burnett admitted: “It just wasn’t meant to be.
“I think the boys felt we didn’t really deserve it, as we haven’t played that well at times.
“I am happy for Heriot’s and my friend Keith, but we are still the winners in many respects.
“Each year we compete strongly at the top level, which is an extraordinary achievement for a side featuring so many local boys.
“We always play a team with Arbroath lads – and sometimes all 11 – who have come through our youth system.
“I am proud to play for a team like us and we have without doubt the best support in Scotland!”
No Arbroath batsman was able to reach 30 at Grange Loan as they crashed to 120 for nine in their 35 overs.
That target proved simple for Carlton, who cruised to the win with eight wickets and nine overs to spare.
Rory McCann led the way with 60 not out.
Opener Hayes van der Berg provided the impetus for the Heriot’s victory with a superb 102, while Mark Watt hit a robust 69, the pair putting on a stand of 151.
Chasing 216, Shire made 172 with skipper Chris Venske thumping 84 to become the leading scorer in the league.
The Heriot’s jubilation was, however, were diluted when it emerged there was no trophy at Goldenacre, let alone a representative of Cricket Scotland to present it.
A club insider explained: “It was all very bizarre.
“We heard that the trophy was at Grange Loan all day, obviously in the expectation that Arbroath would win it.
“But, despite their loss before our match finished, the silverware couldn’t find its way five miles across Edinburgh to us.”
While skipper Morton couldn’t mask his delight, he had sympathy for Arbroath, several of whose players are close friends.
Morton said: “We were in the right place at the right time to take advantage of their situation.
“It will have been very tough for them to take, but they were the first people to congratulate us, which shows what kind of guys they are.
“This is definitely one of the highlights of my cricketing days. But we can’t switch off yet as we have the grand final against Prestwick coming up.”
Morton went on: “After losing to Glenrothes a few weeks back, our aim was to remain unbeaten in August and see where that would take us.
“We hung in there and other results went our way.”
It was also a huge day for veteran Kevin McLaren, who revealed: “The match marked the end of my career and what a great way to bow out.
Elsewhere, Calum Garden struck an unbeaten 101 and Chris Greaves made 71 to inspire Forfarshire to victory over SMRH at Forthill.
Watsonians eased past relegated Falkland at Myreside.