Calton victorious in Cricket Media Finals

Martin Currie were looking to make it three in a row at the National Academy, while the other semi finalists Carlton, Freuchie and Watsonians, all previous winners,  were looking to deny them.

In the first semi final Martin Currie batting first raced to twenty off the first over thanks to some wayward bowling from Garrick Sutherland of Watsonians who had great difficulty in controlling the swinging new ball.  Mike Legget brought things back with a controlled second over and at the end of the ten overs Martin Currie finished with 104 for 3 with captain Fraser Watts scoring 22 and Gregor Maiden top scoring for them with an unbeaten 24. A competitive but far from unbeatable total .

Watsonians in reply got off to the worst possible start, as they went looking for quick runs, Captain Ross Paxton was run out without facing a ball, Stuart Chalmers was well caught by Fraser Watts with only three to his name and Euan Stubbs was another run out casualty having made 5. With more than half the side our for not very many the Myreside team were always up against, and it was only thanks to a last wicket partnership between  Fleming and Sutherland that they got their score up to 71 losing in the end by 33 runs.

In the second semi final Freuchie batted first and thanks to solid contributions from the ‘two Scotts’ Galloway and Birrell and Alan Wallace they posted a similarly competitive total of 105 all out.
 
Carlton opened with Skipper Jamie Kerr and Nickolas Martin and both had to retire on reaching 25, setting up a platform for the Carlton victory. It was left to Scottish internationalist Ross Lyons to seal the win with a quick-fire 28 from only five balls (four 6’s and one four) as the Edinburgh side eased home with the loss of only one wicket and with eleven balls to spare.

In the final Carlton batted first and again captain Kerr led the way, once more having to retire on reaching 25. Nicholas Martin again was his opening partner and they took the score to 30 when an injury to Andy Wilson stopped play while he received treatment.  He was bowling at the time and failed to take a return throw, resulting on the ball hitting him on the nose. After treatment, and the cleaning up of the pitch, he was able to continue, and with his first delivery he had Martin stumped by Gregor Maiden.

Stevie Gilmour again made 25 and although Ross Lyons could not reproduce the fireworks of the semi final Carlton posted a very competitive total of 119 for the loss of three wickets, the highest of the evening.

Martin Currie Started off their run chase in fine style with Fraser Watts again leading from the front and once again retiring on 25, he was assisted by Stuart Davidson who was first to go with the score on 40. The Bankers were always near the required rate but they lost wickets at crucial times and could never get in front of the run rate, eventually being all out for 98 in 8.3 overs.

Rob Thornton of Carlton also finished top scorer in the whole tournament with 61, he was unable to compete in the finals as he became a father for the second time the day before the finals, so he has double cause for celebration.

A special mention must also go to Sandy Scotland and his umpires for there help throughout the tournament, and also the support by Cricket Media.

Semi Finals

Martin Currie defeated Watsonians by 33 runs
Martin Currie 104 for 3 (10 overs, DF Watts 22, GI Maiden 24
Watsonians 71 all out (8 overs)

Carlton defeated Freuchie by 4 wickets
Freuchie 105 all out (9.3 overs,  JSC Galloway 24, SJ  Birrell 22, AR Wallace 25, RT Lyons 2 for 16)
Carlton 109-1 (8.1 overs, JAM. Kerr 28*, N Martin 27*, RT Lyons 28*)

Final

Carlton defeated Martin Currie by 21 runs
Carlton 119 for 3 (10 overs, JAM Kerr 32*, SD Gilmour 25, PL Mommsen 25)
Martin Currie 98 all out (8.3 overs, DF Watts 26*, GI Maiden 20, N Martin 2 for 20)

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