180 all out

Gordon Drummond 60

home

218 for 6

273 for 2

Preston Mommsen 120*, Jamie Kerr 109*

Unfortunately, the Carlton seamers struggled to find a good length and veteran batsman Greg Williamson took full advantage to hit 105 to lead his side to an ultimately comfortable 5 wicket win with 15 balls to spare.

Scorecard

308 for 7

Pete Deakin 96*, Blake Dean 52, Jamie Kerr 41

Aussie opener Blake Dean obviously felt it was too cold to hang about at Grange Loan in this Scottish Cup tie as he launched a furious assault on the division 2 StewMel attack from ball one. The cars parked in Grange Loan were in the danger zone as the ball flew towards and over the boundary wall with regularity.

When Blake was caught behind for a hugely entertaining 52, the attack was taken up in a rather more measured manner by the unflappable Pete Deakin (left) who moved smoothly on his way to an unbeaten 96, supported by a series of entertaing cameos from the other end, most notably by Jamie Kerr (41).

After a bright start, which saw opener Shah top edge a pull for 6 directly into the Carlton pavilion, the home attack found defending their 308 for 7 to be a relatively straightfoward affair, with Blake picking up his first two Carlton wickets as the vsitors limped to 123 all out.

Next up is another home tie against Premier League rivals Clydesdale on June 6th.

Scorecard

Photos

235 for 2

Preston Mommsen 97, Cedric English 73 not out, Fraser Watts 52

232 for 7

290 for 6

Mohammed Habib 2 for 38, Cedric English 2 for 51

304 for 5

Fraser Watts 77, Stevie Gilmour 60*, Cedric English 46, Jamie Kerr 34*, Blake Dean 33

The Carlton batting continued in the same vein as recent weeks with another strong performance, breaking the 300 mark for the second time this season.

Openers Fraser Watts and Preston Mommsen are proving to be a prolific pairing and they put on yet another 50+ partnership before Preston departed for 24, with the score on 78. Bryn was the only batsman to miss out as 71 run partnerships between Fraser & Ced and Stevie & Blake made the home bowlers feel the heat. Once Blake was dismissed for 33 the in-form Jamie Kerr smashed a rapid, unbeaten 34 to take Carlton to 304 for 5. Stevie Gilmour, visiting his old club, finished with 60 not out.

Although Cedric made a double early breakthrough to reduce the home side to 44 for 2, the Carlton bowling attack once again failed to fire on all cylinders. With 10 overs to go the home side required 10 an over with six wickets in hand … and opener Dougie Lockhart still at the crease. Four overs left and the home side were on 256 for 4 and the game hung in the balance. However, the defining moment came when seamer Mohammed Habib managed to get one through Lockhart’s defences to trap the ex-Scotland man lbw. Another wicket for Habs in the penultimate over finally ended the contest as Carlton ran out winners by 14 runs.

Scorecard

278 for 7

Fraser Watts 122, Jamie Kerr 46 not out, Preston Mommsen 33

118 all out

Omar Ahmad 6 for 12, Cedric English 2 for 38

Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Angus Mair

In-form opening pair of Fraser Watts and Preston Mommsen took full advantage of some wayward early bowling from the visitors to get Carlton off to an eight-an-over flyer in the early stages. With 27 to his name Preston pulled seamer Sullivan for six into Grange Loan. Unfortunately, he tried to repeat the shot next ball and mistimed straight to Vasu Reddy.

The introduction of overseas players Bunting and Gray into the attack slowed down the batting onslaught and Bunting, in the middle of an impressive spell dismissed Cedric English, while Gray soon accounted for Stevie Gilmour.

Fraser, however, kept going and was able to celebrate a hundred with plenty of overs still to come.  On 122, however, he holed out on the boundary and Carlton rather limped towards the close of the innings until Jamie Kerr smashed 21 off the final over.

A direct run out by Blake Dean gave the home side an important early breakthrough but the turning point came when Ced English found the edge of pro Gray’s bat and Preston took a fine catch at second slip.  Once Ced found another edge - this time top scorer Gowtham Rai - the Dunfermline middle order was exposed.

The man to take advantage was seamer Omar Ahmad, making his first appearance of the season. With keeper Jamie Kerr in electric form behind the stumps (left) the visiting batsman had no answer to Omar’s accuracy and movement as he ran through the batting to finish with 6 for 12. Eight of these runs came through a couple of boundaries clipped through the empty legside field as skipper Watts went for the jugular (below). Ten more points as Carlton move up to 3rd in the Premier League.

Scorecard

121 for 9

Gordon Drummond 55 not out

For the third time in two seasons a Gordon Drummond innings was the catalyst for a Carlton cup win over old rivals Watsonians. In 2009 he hit unbeaten knocks of 75 and 78 to dump his old club out of the Scottish Cup and Masterton Trophy, and this time another unbeaten 50 saw his side home in dramatic circumstances at Grange Loan.

Batting first Watsonians could only post 118 all out; a total much less than the one they looked on course for when their score was in the sixties for the loss of two wickets after 7 overs. Blake Dean made the important breakthrough, snaring the big-hitting Ryan Flannigan whose 48 had got the visitors off to a flyer. Dean finished with three wickets and two run-outs – the second a spectacular direct hit at one stump  - as an impressive Carlton comeback saw them set 119 to win.

For once, however, the Carlton batting failed to fire as three Mike Legget wickets got things off to a bad start. The off spinning Craig Wright picked up the prize wickets of the in-form Watts and Mommsen and Carlton were in big trouble as no 8(!) batsman Drummond found himself walking to the crease with the score on 59 for 6.

While Drummo immediately looked in fine form he soon lost partners Stevie Gilmour and Rajan Bhopal and with 6 overs left, the home side needed 42 with just two wickets left. Omar kept the Scotland skipper company for a short time before going for a big shot and holing out in the 18th over with 18 runs still needed. Cometh the hour, cometh the man; and no. 11 Habs strode to the crease full of confidence – a confidence not entirely shared by the large crowd. We needn’t have worried – Habs did his job with a mix of solid defence, play and misses and hard running while Drummo took his side closer to the target. The visitors were clearly a bowler short and a mighty six in the penultimate over made the home support believe that an unlikely win might be achieved.

Into the last over and eight to win. A two and a single from Drummo saw him move on to 49 and brought the mighty Habs onto strike with four balls left. The entire ground held its breath. No problem to the young man from Afghanistan though as he calmly turned the ball in to the gap and scampered through. Three balls left; four to win. Drummo found a wide expanse of Grange Loan and called Habs through for two; the Drummond 50 going unnoticed in the general tension of the situation. Two balls left. One run to tie would win the match ... as long as Habs could survive the final ball.  The field was pulled in and Chalmers ran in through the gathering gloom – a typically pugnacious drive from Drummo beat a despairing dive and raced to the boundary and Carlton had snatched a late and unlikely  victory. But what a great match!

Photos

183 all out

Gordon Drummond 4 for 27

186 for 3

Preston Mommsen 81 not out, Cedric English 40

The author's report on the first hour's play will have to be rather vague due to the fact that, having negotiated the 65 or so miles from Edinburgh, he couldn't negotiate the final 50 yards into the ground, consequently arriving to see the scoreboard showing Forfarshire at 69 for 2. The feeling of travel sickness and frustration was immediately removed upon the sight of the first delivery by Ali pitching half-way down the wicket and being smashed by Scotland star Ryan Watson to Gillie who took a decent catch at square leg..

Queasiness returned when the Gopher received a text from the Gaffer at GL advising that the second eleven were struggling at 70 for 5 with loads of batting luminaries back in the hutch. The author's insinuation that the GL wicket must have been a minefield didn't go down very well with the gaffer as my mobile melted on receipt of his next text.

Back to the action at Forthill where Roscoe was brought into the attack and his controlled bowling slowed down the batting side's scoring rate to a trickle. Fraggle then made the inspired decision to switch Ross to bowl from the pavilion end and suddenly the ball could be seen to turn sideways from the author's position, square on from the wicket. One couldn't wait to have a wee peek at the wicket during the tea interval. Carlton's bowling and fielding continued to be top drawer and the only complaints came from Gillie, Jamie and Fraser all of whom didn't get a bowl on a wicket which would have helped any bowler. (Lynne complained later that there was only room for seven bowlers on her scorecard when Fraser, in fact, used eight. Typical of Lynne's dexterity she devised an extremely neat and tidy way of getting round this tricky problem.)

The bowlers kept the pressure up for the remainder of Forfarshire's innings and, with Drummo wiping out the tail in quick time, the innings closed at 183 all out after 48 overs.

By this time the author's phone had cooled down sufficiently well to allow incoming texts to be received once again from a much happier Gaffer confirming that Boydy and Simon had turned the game on its head with what sounded like a record second eleven stand at GL. The author's recollection of 2s matches goes back further than he would care to admit, but he awaits confirmation that he is wrong and that there has been a higher partnership.

The time had arrived for the pitch examination. The surface looked as if it hadn't seen water since Noah's Ark decided to rest on Dundee Law a few years back. There was also a springiness about the surface which was not evident on the faces of Fraggle and Prestwick as they made their way to the middle to begin the pursuit of what might have been an awkward total to pass given the state of the pitch.

Any nerves felt by the sizeable travelling support of three {the author, his wife and Archie Gray} were soon removed by a thoroughly professional and dominant display by the Carlton batsmen. Fraser and Preston shared an opening stand of 60 then Cedric plundered 40 in no time before the recurrence of an old injury reduced his movement a little and Fraser had to come back out to act as his runner.

The required runs were knocked off with ten overs remaining to secure a very well deserved and accomplished win for our heroes. Once again special mention has to be made of Preston, who was as solid and entertaining as you could wish to see. His forward defensive should be photographed and sent to the ECB for distribution in their coaching manuals.

The author's joy was unconfined when news arrived from Moon that Habs' sample had proved negative and the resounding victory for the second eleven would stand. Once again Lynne was concerned that Habs' six wickets might mean that she would have to find room for a ninth bowler in the coming weeks.

The journey home was quicker than the road and the miles to Broughty Ferry and the prospect of the Saturday night curry made for a pleasant trip home.

Scorecard

196 all out

Steven Gilmour 50, Oli Tame 34

198 for 9

Charles Legget 4 for 37

Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Alan Kemp

Once again the two south Edinburgh neighbours served up a thriller at Grange Loan. Ten days ago, Scotland skipper Gordon Drummond rescued his side from a top order collapse. This time, events were turned on its head as an inexperienced Carlton lower order folded spectacularly.

Earlier, Carlton had done well to restrict the visitors to less than 200. Skipper Fraser Watts had the luxury of needing to use only five bowlers; Cedric English bowled another accurate spell, while his opening partner Charles Legget was the star with 4 for 37. Only ex-Carlton man Craig Wright was able to stay around for any length of time, accumulating a patient, undefeated 61.

In reply, the four Myreside seamers ensured that there was to be no easy ride for the home side, keeping Carlton behind the asking rate while picking up the prize wicket of Cedric English. When Fraser smashed a long hop straight to Ryan Flannigan, the fourth wicket partnership of Oli Tame and Stevie Gilmour had it all to do. Gradually they began to increase the run rate and at 153 for 3 the home support was optimistic. However, Oli was yorked for an impressive 34 to bring Blake Dean in to join his ex UNSW team-mate. Gilly (below) had just reached a fine 50 when the game’s turning point came as Craig Wright, bowling from the pavilion end, tempted Gilly to top edge a sweep to fine leg.

What happened thereafter required an ‘X’ certificate as a succession of batsmen were bamboozled by Wright’s lollipops to give the Watsonians’ fielders fielding practice. With 3 required off the last over, last man Tom Clarke offered Wright a caught and bowled chance, which he took at the third attempt to seal a dramatic win.

A disappointing defeat but something that is always likely to happen with so many experienced players away. A learning experience for those coming up from the second XI and one that will hopefully stand them in good stead in the future.

Scorecard

222 all out

Charles Legget 4 for 42

With no fewer than 6 first team regulars unavailable, an inexperienced Carlton side were desperate to get off to a good start against Clydesdale. What they got was a magnificent display of big-hitting from visiting batsman Greg Williamson, which took the score to 60 in the fifth over of this 40-over encounter. Williamson had already passed his half-century when he finally fell to a good Tom Barrett catch off the bowling of Charles Legget in the 6th over. The big batsman was the only man in the ground who appeared to be convinced that it was a bump ball and he reluctantly loped off towards the pavilion leaving spectators in no doubt that his command of the Queen's English was as wide as his array of attacking shots.

Full marks to the Carlton bowling and fielding thereafter; Messrs Tame, Habib and Clarke all bowled good spells, Leggs picked up his second four-wicket haul of the weekend and there was a quality eight-over spell of off-spin from none other than Mr DF Watts. The catching was excellent and there was even a run out as a result of an impressive bit of crown green bowling from wicket-keeper Boyd as the visitors were dismissed for 222 in the final over.

Nevertheless, a target of 223 in 40 overs would have been challenging to a full strength home side; for Carlton to win from here would require a lot from their three experienced batsmen Watts, Gilmour and Dean. Sadly, the visitors were in no mood to let Carlton off the hook and veteran Williamson laid down the marker with an impressive 8 over spell from the nets end, which ensured there was to be no rapid start. Gilly then lost his off stump trying to keep the scoreboard moving and Blake was run out for the second time in two days. When the skipper was bowled shortly after he had hit a huge six up the hill all was lost and only some expansive shots from Leggs and Habs dragged the score past the three figure mark.

A tough weekend for the club but it does signal the need to keep the development process on track to ensure players are able to make the big leap from second team cricket when our growing band of internationalists are away on national duty.

Scorecard

152 all out

Ross Lyons 4 for 15

156 for 4

Preston Mommsen 60, Fraser Watts 55

Back in 2005, Paul Hoffman launched an unforgettable blitz on the Carlton bowlers at Grange Loan, hitting a hundred off just 35 balls. Ever since then, every Carlton skipper has been wary of the big Aussie/Scot as he lopes out to open the innings. In the corresponding fixture last year Carlton called on Ross Lyons in the third over to curb the big man's six-hitting and the spinner responded immediately to send Hoffman packing. This year there was no hanging around. Ross was tasked with opening the bowling and did the necessary with the minimum of fuss, inducing Hoffy to edge to JK with a measly four to his name.

Uddy then stumbled to 70 for 8 in the face of excellent seam bowling from Legget, Ahmad and English. Lyons, brimming with confidence after his taunting of Kevin Pietersen the previous day, returned his best figures for Carlton. The innings eventually closed for on 152, a total that looked well within the reach of the visitors ... provided they got off to a good start.

No need to worry. The excellent opening partnership of Watts/Mommsen fired again, reaching 76 before Fraser departed for a quickfire 55. Preston picked up another half-century, reaching 60 as Carlton ran out comfortable winners by 6 wickets with almost 17 overs to spare.

Scorecard

133 all out

Preston Mommsen 3 for 10, Blake Dean 3 for 26

198 for 5

Gordon Drummond 49*, Cedric English 45, Blake Dean 34, Jamie Kerr 32

For most of the strong looking Carlton side this was their first taste of cricket at Academy Park. A dusty pitch and a lush outfield was not exactly home from home, but the opening pair of Watts and Dean got their heads down and when Blake took 24 runs off the second over the innings was up and running.

The Edinburgh skipper quickly realised that the only solution was to take pace off the ball and Blake was finally undone in a flurry of dust and bottom edge after hitting 34 off just 20 balls.

With Fraser gone relatively cheaply, old mates Jamie and Cedric got down to business. JK swept effectively as always, to the consternation of the bowlers, while Cedric started carefully before smiting a few mighty blows.

When Jamie departed  the new Scotland skipper, a Masterton Trophy specialist, took a while to find his timing on the dry surface before launching a series of humungous sixes.  Ross also ventured out into the middle, taking the instructions of “hit out or get out” literally, starting 6 6 . W. Once again Drummo finished unbeaten and the total of 198 looked as if it would take some getting.

As expected, the home side didn’t have too many defensive prods in the locker. Two sixes early in the first over before Pete Deakin and JK combined off the final ball to restore some balance. After 5 overs the home side were up with the run rate before three quick wickets for Preston ended the match as a contest.

Still, there were plenty fireworks to come from the batsmen with the fielding highlight a superb one handed diving catch from Cedric. He claims he merely fell over but the Carlton travelling support knew better...

238 for 8

Preston Mommsen 58, Stevie Gilmour 41

237 for 5

Ali Evans 3 for 45

Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Colin Campbell

The airless, muggy weather that enveloped Grange Loan was reflected in a lazy and sluggish performance from the home side as the Premier League reached the half way stage.

The Dons won the toss and elected to bat and openers Parlane and Lamb were soon off to a good start before Ali Evans found a corking yorker to see off Lamb. This brought skipper MacRae to the crease and the pair took the visitors past the 100 mark without too much trouble but at a pedestrian pace that hinted at a reluctance to take the game by the throat.

Shortly after surviving a huge appeal for caught behind off Omar Ahmad, Parlane was undone following a typically classy piece of fielding by Stevie Gilmour who dived full length to pull off a one-handed stop before throwing to wicket-keeper Kerr, who got the benefit of a tight run-out decision. If there’s one fielder in the Premier League not to take liberties with it’s Gilly, yet, incredibly, the Dons made the same mistake minutes later when another diving Gilmour stop found Colin Smith stranded and Kerr had as much time as he wanted to whip off the bails.

Two more wickets for Ali were all the home attack had to show for their efforts and the Aberdeenshire innings closed on 237 for 5. There was a feeling, however,  that the Dons side of last year would have shown a little more hunger for runs.

Another good start for the Watts/Mommsen combo, with Fraser first to go with the score on 64. Preston moved on to another classy 50 and it was a surprise to all when he fell lbw. Cedric, too, was looking good before mistiming one that failed to clear the towering presence of Colin Smith at mid on. Cue another middle-order collapse as Dean, Kerr and Deakin fell in quick succession. Only Stevie Gilmour looked up to the task but when he fell to a stunning catch by Brand for 41 there could surely be only one winner. A fielding side used to winning would surely have closed the game out from here; particularly against a Carlton side who collapsed badly to a defeat on their last home outing.

However, there was a big difference this time; instead of an untried youngster coming in at number eight we had the sight of the Scotland skipper striding to the wicket. Ali, however, came and went quickly leaving the home side with 45 still needed and only two wickets in hand.

Drummo, though looked in command; all he needed was someone to support him. Enter Omar Ahmad. Omar had holed out lamely during the last two batting collapses at Grange Loan but he rose to the challenge here, playing sensibly and giving Drummo the strike. Drummo, for his part, used his experience to wait for the hittable ball to keep the run rate on track .

Four needed off the last over. A huge swing and miss from Omar off the first ball had the crowd urging him to get bat on ball and take a single. Get bat on ball he did as the next delivery was smashed over mid on for four and a win that had looked increasingly unlikely the longer the game went on.

Scorecard

263 for 5

Tom Clarke 4 for 37

206 all out

Oli Tame 53

A journey to the home of the league leaders without players of the calibre of Watts, Mommsen, Drummond, Lyons and English was always going to a tough task for Carlton. However, with Grange also minus top players, skipper Stevie Gilmour was confident and his side responded well with a good bowling and fielding performance, headlined by four wickets from left armer Tom Clarke, that looked like restricting the home side to around 230.

Not for the first time, though, the big-hitting Stuart Davidson, proved to be the Carlton nemesis as he rounded off the Grange innings with some outrageous batting to race to 66 not out in no time at all and set a challenging total of 263.

With a good wicket and a lightning fast outfield, there was still a chance for the visitors. However, the early loss of Ani Majumdar was soon followed by that of skipper Gilmour who mistimed a pull to be caught in the deep by Johnny Gray. Opener Blake Dean was looking comfortable though and moved smoothly on to 29 with Carlton keeping in touch with the required run rate.

Skipper Sanjay Patel then called Gray in from the outfield and asked him to bowl. His first delivery proved to be the decisive moment of the game, as he fired one through Blake’s defences to demolish the stumps. Gray celebrated in bizarre fashion, as if he’d scored the winner in the World Cup Final, by ripping off his shirt and racing round the outfield, wobbling as he went. There was pandemonium in the pavilion as the shocking sight proved too much for some of the more refined Grange members, who had to be helped to the medical room. If umpire Sandy Scotland had a yellow card in his coat he would surely have brandished it at the Grange man, but instead had to content himself with a steely glare and a stern lecture.

Young Carlton batsman Nik Hunt could have been forgiven for being distracted by the topless celebration, but he settled down in tandem with Oli Tame to attempt to keep Carlton in the game. Unfortunately, Hunt’s run out, with the teenager on 23, was quickly followed by the wicket of Jamie Kerr, leaving Nathan Pietsch to offer support to Oli. The pair put together a good partnership that offered a glimmer of hope for Carlton until Nathan was unluckily run out for 26. Oli went on to a well-deserved maiden Premier League fifty but Carlton ultimately fell well short on 206 all out.

Scorecard

105 for 0

Blake Dean 84 not out

RAINED OFF

127 for 9 (20 overs)

Blake Dean 36, Fraser Watts 32, Stevie Gilmour 28

115 for 8 (20 overs)

Ross Lyons 3 for 12

When the Friday evening date for the Masterton Trophy Final was decided during the winter, a balmy summer’s evening had been imagined. What we got was a sometimes bright but always blustery evening – but, all in all, a miracle that a game was taking place after the rain of the preceding days. Top marks to the groundstaff dream-team of McLeod, Weir and Dean.

Batting first, the other Carlton dream-team, the opening partnership of Watts and Mommsen, got things off to a sprightly start.  Preston, however, was soon undone by some steep bounce and was caught behind by Smith off the bowling of Gray, who celebrated modestly, obviously believing that the evening was a touch too chilly for any of his trademark topless celebrations.

Cedric soon followed in similar fashion, feathering an attempted pull to Smith. Fraser and Blake kept the scoreboard ticking over until Fraser became Smudger’s third victim, caught behind off Thomas.

Once Jamie Kerr had departed, Blake and Stevie Gilmour combined in what turned out to be the decisive partnership, putting on 40 in just 4 overs at one stage. Blake hit two big sixes, one of which took out an Australian visitor as he jack-knifed over the pavilion fence while attempting to take a ‘catch’. Stevie, for his part, took advantage of some indifferent Grange fielding to pepper the boundary.

At 118 for 4 off 18, a big total looked in prospect before three wickets in three balls slowed things dramatically. A raft of catches and run-outs saw the innings close on 127 for 9.

What Carlton needed was some tight opening overs. Unfortunately, the bowlers struggled to find their length and Grange had raced to 36 without loss after 4 overs. Some missed chances didn’t help and after 9 overs the score stood at 68 for none.

The introduction of Ross Lyons (left) put a break on the scoring and he picked up the first wicket after a fine piece of bowling tempted opener Rae into giving a caught and bowled. Nevertheless Cammy Coles was on his way to an impressive fifty and at 86 for 1 off 13, Grange needed just 42 – a run a ball with nine wickets in hand. Surely there could only be one winner from here. Veteran bowler and match reporter Bob Irvine obviously thought so as he headed for the exit while Moon muttered darkly that there would be no trip to Poloc next weekend for the national finals. The Carlton contingent all nodded in agreement ... apart from one young man who examined the scoreboard, rubbed his chin and pronounced: “It’s going to be a tight finish.” It soon became clear that young Cheeky was the sage of Carlton ...

First Ian Worth was run out courtesy of a brilliant piece of fielding from skipper Watts. In the next over Ross enticed dangerman Coles out of his crease to be stumped by Jamie Kerr. The turning point came in Ross’s final over when ex Warwickshire skipper Powell attempted a reverse sweep and was adjudged lbw. Suddenly Cheeky ‘s optimistic outlook was finding respect from his elders and betters and when Smudger lofted one into the outfield off Preston, Drummo calmy trapped the ball on his barrel chest before scooping the rebound nonchalantly in one hand ... and Carlton were looking favourites.

With the score on 111, Moon announced ‘Nelson’ with a knowing smile and next ball the innings of impressive youngster Henry Edwards came to an end as he was castled by Drummo. All over bar the shouting and in the end a comfortable last over by Leggs saw Carlton home by 12 runs.

As well as earning the trophy and a very welcome cheque, Carlton now proceed to the national T20 Murgitroyd Trophy finals day in Glasgow on Sunday July 25th.

Scorecard

More Photos

124 all out

Cedric English 3 for 21

126 for 0

Fraser Watts 59*, Preston Mommsen 44*

As everybody knows, the Carlton 1st XI is always 100% committed and fully focused ... As such there were no hangovers following the previous evening’s Masterton Trophy win over Grange as the team headed west to Greenock on Premier League business.

After a wet week in the west, both skippers would have been keen to bowl first. Luck was with Fraser and he asked the home side to bat. While Cedric soon bowled opener McIntosh, the prize wicket against Greenock this season is undoubtedly that of Richie Berrington. Happily, it wasn’t long before Leggs sent the Scotland batsman back to the pavilion as he safely pouched a leading edge off his own bowling.

The ensuing batting collapse may not have been quick but it was steady – Greenock eventually dismissed in the 46th over for just 124. Ced was rewarded for a fine spell with figures of 3 for 21, while there were two wickets for Leggs and one apiece for Ross, Blake, Drummo and Omar.

Last Saturday Fraser and Preston put together a century opening stand for Scotland; this time they repeated the feat for their club. The Greenock total was passed in just the 22nd over with Fraser (59) and Preston (44) both unbeaten. A comprehensive win all round.

Scorecard

321 for 6

Fraser Watts 77, Cedric English 58, Preston Mommsen 56, Blake Dean 55 not out

140 all out

Ross Lyons 4 for 22

196 for 7 (20 overs)

Preston Mommsen 71

66 all out (12 overs)

Fraser Watts 3 for 2, Mohammed Habib 3 for 14

152 for 8 (20 overs)

Blake Dean 52, Gordon Drummond 37 not out

129 for 7 (20 overs)

Ross Lyons 3 for 15

117 all out

Nathan Pietsch 30

Although short of four Saltires for the trip to Fife, the Carlton bowling attack still had a pretty strong look about it and included Omar Ahmad who took 6 for 12 against Dunfermline earlier in the season.

With Dunfermline toiling at 53 for 5, skipper Stevie Gilmour must have felt that things were loking bright. However, home pro Alistair Gray survived an early lbw shout to hit a chanceless century as the Fifers finished on an imposing 257 for 6 after their 50 overs.

A solid start to the reply was essential; however the early loss of Cedric put the batting under pressure from the outset. Once again, none of the experienced batsmen were able to put a score together on a day when the Scotland contingent were absent and Carlton had soon slid to a woeful 67 for 8. Only a dogged partnership between Pietschy (30) and Omar (24) helped the score past three figures as Carlton were dismissed for 117 in the 38th over.

Scorecard

139 all out

Cedric English 61

221 all out

Mohammed Habib 3 for 57

160 for 8

Ross Lyons 3 for 27

158 for 9

Stevie Gilmour 50, Rajan Bhopal 33

If there’s one thing that always seems to be guaranteed when Carlton meet Watsonians it’s a tight finish. Once again this one went down to the wire ... and for the second time in the league this season, it was Carlton who lost out.

Batting first on a slow wicket, Carlton got off to the worst possible start when Preston Mommsen edged behind on 1. It was hard going against the quality home seam attack and after 30 overs, Carlton were toiling to make headway on 83 for 4. However gritty efforts from skipper Stevie Gilmour and teenager Rajan Bhopal dragged the visitors back into things, although boundaries were still hard to come by.

Some big hitting late on from no 11 Mohammed Habib took Carlton to a semi-respectable 157 for 9.

A solid reply from the hosts took them to 76 for 2, before the introduction of Ross Lyons (3 for 27), well backed up by the off spin of Preston Mommsen, began to cause some jitters in the batting side.

At 147 for 8, there was just a sniff for Carlton but Paxton and Sadler saw their side home with 16 balls to spare.

Scorecard

197 all out

Charles Legget 70

287 for 8

Mohammed Habib 3 for 52

With five top line first teamers missing again, there was no danger of Carlton underestimating the talented Academy youngsters, especially as a belter of a Grange Loan pitch was ideal for their ultra-positive approach to batting.

A typical Ollie Hairs cameo was ended when he skied one too many off Habs, who was easily the pick of the early bowlers. And when Habs picked up his third wicket, Carlton had dragged themselves back into the game at 71 for 4. However, just as they had done at home to Forfarshire last time out, after gaining a foothold in the match the home side allowed the game to get away from them once more with Marc Petrie hitting a classy 56 before he was well caught by Tom Barrett off the bowling of fellow under 18 Rajan Bhopal. At 192 for 7, Carlton had a chance of respectability but a superb display of selective, power hitting from Safyaan Sharif took the game beyond them. The ex-Largo youngster smashed sixes on top of the nets, over the pavilion and up the hill into the gardens to take his side to 287 for 8.

A solid start was needed but instead opener Tom Barrett was run out early on and the home side were soon in dire straits at 39 for 5. Blushes were spared by a superb innings from Charles Legget, who smashed an impressive 70 before being somewhat surprisingly adjudged runout. Good tail end support from Ali Evans and the big-hitting Habs at least took Carlton to the brink of 200. But all in all a comprehensive defeat.

Scorecard

237 for 4

Cedric English 148 not out, Stevie Gilmour 52

194 all out

Tom Clarke 3 for 36

114 all out

Omar Ahmad 4 for 18, Ali Evans 3 for 32, Mohammed Habib 3 for 40

268 all out

Cedric English 146

Although Cricket Scotland had given permission for the Saltires players to play in the last round of league fixtures, other commitments and the length of the evening jaunt from Aberdeen to Durham meant that Carlton elected to do without their internationals, instead relying on Evergreen English to repeat his batting heroics of the previous week. Surely, it wasn’t asking too much for him to do it again?

Batting first, Ced was soon into his stride and an early rain interruption, coupled with the early losses of Tom and Gilly, only served to sharpen the great man’s focus. A fifty partnership with Rajan saw him begin to motor through the gears, before sharing 64 with his old mucker JK.

When Jamie perished to Tyler Buchan, Deano strode to the wicket for the last time for Carlton only to stride back again soon after, falling victim to a caught and bowled for the third time in four innings.

Ced was then joined by teenage debutant Nick Martin. With Ced approaching his century, surely Nick would look to nudge the singles and give his elder and better the strike? The home side certainly thought so, as they brought in the field and bowled loopy spin from both ends. Nick’s eyes lit up like Habs in a toy shop and he proceeded to happily bludgeon the ball over the top on his way to a rapid 20 before eventually skying one to the giant figure of Colin Smith.

The inevitable English century was brought up before he finally perished on 146, bemoaning his inability to get past the hundred and forties. It’s certainly a weakness in his game that everybody at the club hopes he will be able to rectify before next season.

Defending an imposing 268, the mighty Habs was quickly into his stride forcing the Dons’ Martin to edge to JK for a blob. A 50 run partnership between Coetzer and pro Parlane had the home side looking good before Habs struck twice in quick succession to remove them both.

Ali then joined the party, bowling Colin Smith and the rest of the innings was something of a procession with Ali picking up another two while the ever reliable Omar collected a tidy 4 for 18 off 5 overs.

Game over in just 25 overs and an early return to Edinburgh on the cards. The only problem was that the bus wasn’t due to pick up the team for hours yet and no-one had the number of the driver …

Scorecard