Can Watsonians crack Cup hoodoo?
Heriot’s and Watsonians cricketing rivalry began 125 years ago in 1896.
Today their first XIS will be playing one of the biggest matches of that period when they meet in the Scottish Cup Final at New Cambusdoon in Ayr.
Heriot’s start as favourites given that they are still on for a league and Cup double and won the knock-out competition as recently as 2019.
However, Watsonians captain Pete Maksimczyk and Director of Cricket Andrew Chalmers have rebuilt things well at Myreside over the last couple of years.
In total since the Cup started in 1966, Heriot’s have won it four times – 1978, 2000, 2012 and 2019 – while they lost the final in 2018.
Watsonians have never won the Cup as yet, losing finals to Heriot’s in 1978 and 2012, to Ferguslie in 1983 and to Carlton in 2017.
This season the clubs have met twice so far in different competitions.
Watsonians defeated Heriot’s in a tight game at Myreside in the Masterton T20 Trophy in mid-June, 162-7 playing 148 all out.
And in the league they clashed at the same ground in early July, Watsonians posting 206-9 from their 50 overs and then Heriot’s being 52-1 in reply before the rain came.
“The mood in the camp is good, we have won a lot of games recently, so everyone is looking forward to the final,” Heriot’s batter Hayes van der Berg said.
Watsonians skipper Maksimczyk said: “The squad are feeling positive ahead of this game.
“Over the last three years I would say the club has changed in terms of personnel and attitude and we always identified the Scottish Cup as a competition in which we could really make our mark.”
Both skippers have been able to pick from just about full strength squads – Peter Ross is out injured for Heriot’s – meaning that it should be a cracker.
The match starts at noon.