All-Edinburgh final after Munsey and Herdman hundreds
WATSONIANS’ George Munsey and Carlton’s Michael Herdman hit superb centuries to lead their respective sides into the Citylets Scottish Cup final.
The Edinburgh clubs will now meet at Forfarshire’s Forthill ground on August 20 in the showpiece clash after they both came through their semi-finals last Sunday.
At Goldenacre, Watsonians batted first in a rain affected match against Heriot’s and got off to a slow start.
After seven overs they were 24-2 with Mike Carson and skipper Ewan Chalmers were back in the pavilion.
In the next over Brendan O’Connell fell for 14 and the Heriot’s attack kept causing problems and after 27 overs Watsonians were 79-5.
Scotland left hander Munsey was still in though and some clinical hitting from him saw the score escalate quickly.
The 24-year-old is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the country on his day and when he was out for 120 with one ball of the innings to go he had changed the game. They posted 189-9 from 45 overs.
In reply Heriot’s batsmen were never allowed to settle by the Watsonians attack and were all out for 85.
At Grange Loan, Carlton lost Fraser Watts early, but 25-year-old Australian Herdman continued his great summer. He made 106 not out while Tom Simpson batted well for 48 as they posted 200-6 from 39 overs.
Drumpellier then needed 194 to win via DLS and were 70-2 from 20 overs.
Carlton’s bowling and fielding remained tidy as their visitors could only make 113-5 to lose via DLS.
The Cup now takes a back seat with the CSL Eastern Premiership and the WDCU Premier Division taking centre stage for the next few weeks.
In the East, Grange now have a big job on their hands to catch leaders Arbroath. Last Saturday reigning champions Carlton put a spanner in the former’s title hopes by winning at Portgower Place.
Teenagers Angus Beattie and Tom Simpson put on a partnership of 84 to help Carlton haul themselves up to 214 all out batting first.
Grange’s reply got off to a terrible start, Harris Aslam, Ryan Flannigan, Nick Farrar, captain Preston Mommsen and Bodie Hodges all out early to leave them 20-5.
The experienced Neil McCallum and wicketkeeper Harris Carnegie set about the rebuilding job and their 105 run partnership gave their team a chance. However, Carlton eventually won by 60 runs. At the same time Arbroath were winning easily at SMRH by 10 wickets.
Last weekend in the West, Prestwick held onto top spot thanks to a battling win at Dumfries and Ferguslie reclaimed second place after a hard fought win over Ayr at Meikleriggs.
Fazal Jawad was the star for Prestwick, hitting 100 as they batted first and made 235-9.
Josh Forsyth hit a superb 110 for Dumfries in reply, but the Prestwick bowlers held their nerve to win by five runs.