‘Sonians Master the Academy
An 8 wicket victory against the National Academy on Sunday took Watsonians to the summit of the SNCL tied with Grange on points and percentage, separated only by the narrowest of run rates.
Once again Captain Steve Paige lost the toss and Watsonians were sent into the field. All seemed to be going to plan when Stuart Chalmers bowled Ross MacLean for a duck. Oli Hairs was typically belligerent smashing 21 before being run out in a mix up with Qasim Ashraf. Ashraf himself endured a painful stay at the crease before being removed by the reliable ‘bowled Paige caught Easton’ combination. When the same pair accounted for Scott Galloway the youngsters were in trouble at 77-4. Marc Petrie made an eye catching 39 before becoming the first of debutant Nick Boorman’s four wickets and when Ross Paxton induced Calvin Burnett to hole out to Ewan Chalmers it was up to the resilient Michael Leask (49*) to shepherd the Academy to the below par total of 170ao in 40 overs.
The home opening partnership of Easton and Flannigan began proceedings in their usual aggressive style, Easton pulling through mid-wicket with authority in Ashraf’s first over and continuing to dominate until being removed LBW by the impressive Sharif for 21. Flannigan went on to make his fourth consecutive half century, this one particularly eye-catching, before falling to Burnett for 55. There were no further alarms though and despite Andrew Brock deriving prodigious turn and bounce from the Myreside surface Tim Weston (54*) and Ewan Chalmers (35*) guided Watsonians to a comfortable victory inside 42 overs.
Watsonians host Greenock next week looking to continue their good form and with Craig Wright, Paddy Sadler and Mike Legget all available for selection again their will be some tough and well thought out decisions for the selection committee to make.
