Heriot’s lead to Grand Final by Hayes’ century
HERIOT’S and Prestwick meet in the CSL Grand Final tomorrow after they won their respective top flight titles in differing circumstances last weekend.
In the CSL Eastern Premiership Heriot’s, who had not led for the whole summer, finished top having defeated Aberdeenshire in the final round of fixtures while Arbroath were losing at Carlton.
Heriot’s president Kevin McLaren heaped praise on the battling qualities within the squad and applauded Hayes van der Berg’s superb century.
McLaren who had played in the match said: “What an amazing feeling.
“I don’t think many people believed that we would win the league, but we always had belief and I must pay credit to captain Keith Morton and the younger guys in the team who have played week in, week out, nicked some unlikely wins, played some great cricket and stuck together as a group.”
The 36-year-old continued: “Going into this final game against Aberdeenshire we knew we just had to focus on ourselves and the innings played by Hayes van der Berg to get his century was just brilliant.
“It is not a time to single out individuals, but everyone who watched Hayes play this innings knows just how good he is. This title win means a lot to the club.”
The game was shortened to 45 overs-a-side due to morning rain and batting first Heriot’s made a solid 218-6.
That was mainly based on 102 by South African Van der Berg, the century taking him to 548 runs for the league season.
All-rounder Mark Watt also made 69, seeing him up to 537 runs for 2017. At the same time Arbroath, who had seen their match with Carlton across Edinburgh delayed until 2.30pm, were struggling to 120 all out.
In the 35 overs-a-side contest Arun Pillai led the way with three wickets for Carlton, Omar Ahmad and Ruari Macpherson chipping in with two scalps apiece.
Carlton’s Rory McCann then hit 60 not out to see the Citylets Scottish Cup champions to an eight wicket victory.
Back over at Goldenacre, Heriot’s knew that the key wicket for them to get was going to be that of Aberdeenshire skipper Chris Venske.
It was fitting that skipper Morton got that wicket, caught by van der Berg for 84, to leave the visitors 148-8. There was then a run out before Michael Shean bowled Findlay Anderson as Heriot’s won by 45 runs.
Morton said: “I really cannot quite believe it. We knew at the start of the day that we might have a chance, but we weren’t sure if Carlton would suffer a Scottish Cup hangover or not and Arbroath are a good side.
“We heard what had gone on at Grange Loan and we had to keep our cool and take the last few wickets.
“The guys have given me everything in training and matches this summer and it is a special moment for all of us and the wider club.”
In the WDCU Premier Division bad weather on the final weekend meant that Prestwick lifted the trophy. The teams play at Ferguslie’s ground tomorrow.