Cup final too close to call as Carlton and Heriot’s prepare for battle
By Two CSL Eastern Premier Division sides are getting ready to meet in the Citylets Scottish Cup final tomorrow.
Carlton and Heriot’s – who will both finish in the top half of the league – will meet at Ferguslie’s Meikleriggs ground in Paisley in the showpiece match. The former last won the trophy in 2017 when they defeated Watsonians, while Heriot’s lost last year’s final to Mazars Grange.
Both teams have put in cracking performances in the Cup to get to this stage. Carlton defeated league champions ion8forfarshire and secondplaced Grange along the way, while inspired bowling by Callum Stuart helped Heriot’s defeat West of Scotland in the last eight.
The whole Heriot’s bowling unit was then on fire to bowl Arbroath out for just 35 in the semi-final.
There are match-winners on both sides with Corne Dry and Fraser Burnett of Carlton and Hayes van der Berg and Michael Shean of Heriot’s top quality performers. Both league games between the sides fell foul of the weather but there’s no doubt this one is too close to call.
Carlton have named a 13-man squad with Burnett and Dry joined by skipper Ali Evans, Rory Mccann, Kyle Macpherson, Arun Pillai, Tom Simpson, Ali Shah, Will Hardie, Chayank Gosain, Calum Everett, Rory Allardice and Adeel Raza.
Heriot’s will choose from 12 players with van der Berg and Shean in there along with captain Keith Morton, Elnathan Meiri, Peter Ross, Mark Watt, Johann Potgieter, Chris Ashforth, Ryan Brown, Joe Kinghorn-gray, Callum Stuart and Elliot Ruthven.
Meanwhile, league champions Forfarshire will receive the trophy this afternoon after they play Stewart’s Melville at Inverleith on the final day. Forfs president Clark Mcconnachie said: “I’m just so proud of the lads for what they’ve achieved. The team is well led by Umair Mohammed and the likes of Scotland regulars Craig Wallace and Michael Leask are brilliant with the young up-and-coming players who themselves are regulars in representative cricket.”
With Aberdeenshire confirmed as finishing bottom, the four other games today are mainly to confirm placings.
Carlton face Aberdeenshire, RH Corstorphine play Mazars Grange, Heriot’s are at Stoneywood-dyce and Watsonians host Arbroath. Ferguslie slip-up.
With Scotland all-rounder Richie Berrington available to make a rare appearance for Clydesdale, Uddingston face the stiffest possible test of their credentials. Clarke said: “We expect a really tough game. It’s one win and one loss against them this year so we know they’re a good side.”
Uddingston welcome back their own Scotland star in Gavin Main and Clarke added: “It’s always a bonus when Gav plays.”
Colin Mitchell, Clydesdale’s chairman of cricket, said: “I think our guys will relish being involved in a game that could have an impact on the destination of the title.”
Prestwick will attempt to keep their hopes alive by beating outgoing champions Ferguslie at the Henry Thow Oval. Beaten only onceallseason–inathriller against Uddy – Prestwick would be equally worthy winners should they go on to repeat their title success of two years ago.
The Ayrshire team boast the division’s leading wicket taker in Sachin Chaudhary, while Tom Lord and Tom Fleet are among the leading run scorers.
Elsewhere, only pride and mid-table positions are at stake. Drumpellier visit fellow relegated side East Kilbride and longtime title challengers West of Scotland sign off with a trip to Stirling, while Greenock and Poloc meet at Glenpark.