Hairs plays down heroic 191 as Sonians send Grange to first Eastern Premier defeat
Oli Hairs played down his batting heroics to focus on his ever-improving Watsonians side after they sent Grange plunging to their first Eastern Premier defeat at Myreside.
Scotland left-hander Hairs hit a magnificent 191 – the highest individual tally of the campaign – as ‘Sonians posted 295-9 before securing victory by 68 runs.
The former Grange batsman, now player-coach at Myreside, said: “It was a fantastic win for the lads, we are starting to make winning a habit.
“We have a great group of players throughout the club and a lot of hard work is being done behind the scenes. It’s great to see performances on the pitch, with some great wins.”
Hairs faced just 97 deliveries during his assault on the visiting bowlers with the ball despatched to all corners while Jack Jarvis claimed three wickets for Grange.
Charlie Peet top-scored with 56 for Grange but Gareth Weatherall’s 3-45 did most to confirm Watsonians’ superiority on the day.
Pushed on his own form and the spate of high individual scores which have been a feature of the opening weeks of the season, Hairs added: “I can’t speak for others, but personally a lot of training is around the white ball game which will inevitably rub off.
“We practice and trust our games. It was great to be able to put in a performance
that got the team over the line.”
Hairs was at it again yesterday, scoring 104 from only 44 balls for the Eastern Knights in their Pro50 Regional Series clash with Western Warriors.
He was not the only Scotland batsman among the runs on Saturday with Matthew Cross almost matching his colleague as Heriot’s triumphed by 149 runs against Stoneywood-dyce at Goldenacre.
Cross scored a superb 171, featuring 13 fours and nine sixes, as the home side posted 307-5 before wickets were shared around during a clinical display in the field.
Champions Forfarshire also
passed the 300-mark, skipper Scott Cameron hitting 84 and Michael Leask, 79 as they beat Stewarts Melville by 72 runs at Inverleith.
Rory Allardice claimed 4-37 and Arun Pillai 3-16 as Carlton restricted Arbroath to 161 at Lochlands before former Lichties star Fraser Burnett top-scored with 40no to send his old team to a six-wicket defeat. The match between RH Corstorphine and Meigle was abandoned.
Meanwhile, Clydesdale produced spirited fightbacks with both bat and ball as they claimed pole position in the Western Premier.
An ultimately comfortable 23-run win at Prestwick, combined with Ferguslie’s
defeat to Stirling, means the Titwood men boast the only unbeaten record though they were forced to dig deep before coming out on top at the Henry Thow Oval.
After opting to bat, they were in serious trouble at 84-9, their former team-mate Majid Haq having claimed 4-18. However, 25no from Arun Krishna and Calum Drummond’s 24 hoisted the tally to 141.
Prestwick were still in charge as they posted 58 for the first wicket only for the Dale bowlers to turn things around and dismiss their rivals for 118, Drummond and Daniel Cairns both claiming three wickets.