Watts the story as Carlton get title defence going with win
FORMER Scotland batsman Fraser Watts smashed 162 to get reigning champions Carlton’s CSL Eastern Premiership title defence up and running.
There were some cracking games in the top flight and Watts’ superb effort in the thumping home win over Falkland helped the Edinburgh side post a first victory of the summer.
Watts said: “It wasn’t my best knock – and the overriding emotion was one of relief and satisfaction to get a win on the board.
“It was a solid team performance, with Michael Herdman and Arun Pillai batting excellently before we bowled and fielded tightly.”
Also in the capital, Heriots were getting the better of Watsonians in a low scoring affair.
In the end Heriots chased down their victory target of 121 with three wickets remaining with Sean Hinmers and Ryan Brown making key contributions with the bat.
Heriots’ skipper Keith Morton said: “The guys bowled well to restrict Watsonians to just 120, but we knew that they had quite a strong bowling attack and that we would have to work hard for our runs.
“That proved to be the case, but young Sean (Hinmers) did a good job at the top of the order and then when I came in I knew I had to hang around for a while and help us get towards the target.
“Ryan (Brown) then came in and played some good shots on a tough wicket and it was great to get over the line.”
And, in a match reduced to 33-overs-a-side, overseas duo Shaylen Pillay and Cariston Diedericks ran the show as SMRH got their first league win since promotion at Glenrothes.
Pillay was the main man with the bat, his calm knock of 88 not out seeing SMRH home by seven wickets.
Captain Greg Ruthven said: “I thought as a bowling and fielding unit we did our job well while Shaylen showed his class with the bat and hopefully we can kick on from here.”
Arbroath and Grange lead the way with three wins from three, Dylan Budge earning a Scotland call-up for his superb recent form for the latter.
This weekend, Arbroath travel to Heriots while Grange make the trip to Falkland, who are yet to register a victory in 2017.
In the WDCU Premier Division, the rain played a big part last Saturday and only one game survived.
Dumfries defeated Clydesdale with 88 from Chris Bellwood helping the former to post 209 from 33 overs batting first.
The visitors to Nunholm then fell 17 runs short in their chase despite a century from Scotland man Richie Berrington.
This weekend, leaders Prestwick have home advantage over Uddingston at the Henry Thow Oval.
In the Citylets Scottish Cup last Sunday, Carlton bowled out SMRH for just 22 while Meigle caused the biggest shock of the first round.
They defeated Uddingston by six wickets. Uddingston made just 128 before Tyler Aitchison’s battling half century guided the Strathmore & Perthshire Union team to the win.