Whitefoord hails ‘massive win’ for RHC as Eastern Premier returns
The thrills and spills of domestic cricket, missing for so long, returned with a vengeance at the weekend as the Eastern Premier division bowled back into action.
Supporters in the west will have to wait a bit longer but those in the east and north had plenty to delight over on a landmark day for the sport.
Nowhere was the drama greater than at Goldenacre where highly-fancied Heriot’s suffered a last-over defeat torh Corstorphine.
True, Heriots were without three self-isolating Scotland internationalists but the manner in which the visitors held their nerve to finally pre vail in a match of many twist sand turns was impressive.
Caleb Whitefoord, with an unbeaten 24, was the man who remained unflappable to guide his side home but the delighted captain preferred to laud an exceptional team effort.
He said: “It’s an absolutely massive win for us – and it means a huge amount to everyone to get over the line. There were a few nervous moments in the chase but we knew we batted deep and almost everybody chipped-in when required.
“In all honesty our bowling and fielding was the key factor in winning the game.”
That effort saw Heriot’s dismissed for 133 with Calum Clarkson, James Dickinson and Ally Sadler all claiming three wickets while only Ryan Brown (36) and Lloyd Brown (34) made meaningful contributions for the hosts.
Elliot Ruthven replied with three quick wickets and Lloyd Brown four as rhc wobbled on 36-3andthen100-7. but dickinson contributed a valuable 26 before Whitefoord staged partnerships with Nick Murray and Sadler to see RHC to victory with two wickets and three balls to spare.
“He’s the best young cricketer based in Scotland!” That was the lavish praise heaped on jack Jarvis after the teenager’ s all round heroic sing range’ s victory over Carlton at Grange Loan.
That those words were uttered by former Scotland pace bowler John Blain, now one of the most highly regarded coaches in the country, make them all the more noteworthy.
Jarvis top-scored with 32, a tally matched by Harris Carnegie,while a run pill ai and um air Mohammed each claimed three wickets as Grange posted184. while adilraza (32) and Hugo south well (31) threatened to get Carlton close, paceman Jack had other ideas and his 5-33 proved decisive in a 50- run success.
Blain, who runs Grange’s successful Academy: said: “Jack has developed into a fine young man and an even better cricket er. he came to the club at 11 from Livingston and went straight into the Academy. I took him to Loretto on a sports scholarship and he’s really kicked-on.”
Forfarshire skipper Scott Cameron hit 54no as the champions launched their defence with a comfortable seven-wicketwin over arbroath at fort hill.
Meigle’s top-flight bow ended in disappointment as they were skittled for 67 at Stoneywooddyce who then cruised to victory – also by seven wickets.
Watsonians boast the first centurion and first hat-trick he roof the season after andrew Chalmers hit 104 and Gareth Weatherall (4-13) worked his magic with the ball as Stewart’s Melville suffered a 183-run defeat at Inverleith.