Third Win of the Season for 3s
With just two wins in the first half of the season, the threes started the second half in positive fashion with a 21 win run over Holy Cross II.
A strong team performance was highlighted with great individual performances from Watsonian veterans Steve Lockhart (98*) and Alan Borthwick (4-26) and debutant Al Middleton (4-16).
Batting first, the dependable opening duo of Lockhart and Gareth Burnett got Watsonians off to a solid start. After making batting look easy Burnett, on 41, chased a (very) wide one and lost his wicket – the third time this season he’s fallen in the fretful forties.
A mini-collapse ensued and it looked as if the early work would go to waste, however, when Borthwick joined Lockhart in the middle the two resolutely batted their way to a 60 run partnership. After Borthwick edged one behind, Lockhart was given able support by the team’s youngster and the opener remained at the crease until the end of the innings, finishing just two short of his maiden ton of the season.
Holy Cross too started strongly and despite a brilliant legside catch from Easton, the homeside found themselves at 130-1 and looking comfortable. The introduction of Middleton to the attack changed all this and in his first three overs the youngster had collected three wickets, including the main scalps of Budden and Webb.
A middle order partnership brought HX up to 195-5 and put the game back in the balance before Borthwick snatched away all momentum by grabbing four wickets – three of them in the same over. Middleton came back on at the opposite end to add to his collection, claiming the last wicket with the help of Lockhart at point.
This win at Arbo, combined with Leith beating Accies down the road and Falkland faltering as well, means there are now just 12 points separating the bottom four clubs in Division 5 and another win this weekend could see the thirds climb up to seventh in the table.
