Cricket: Carlton's Drummond shows bulldog spirit

GORDON DRUMMOND was the difference as Carlton beat Watsonians in a thrilling Murgitroyd Masterton cricket trophy quarter-final at Grange Loan.

The Scotland all-rounder, batting at eight, rescued his side after the visitors had looked set to secure victory when they reduced the hosts to 101-9 with just 22 balls remaining chasing 119 to win. However, last man Mohammed Habib stood firm and allowed ex-'Sonians captain Drummond to hit the winning runs from the penultimate ball to finish on 55 not out and secure a one-wicket win.

Batting first, Watsonians lost skipper Euan Stubbs early off the bowling of Preston Mommsen. That then became 37-2 in the sixth over when James Easton was out, but Ryan Flannigan was in fine form.

He hit 21 runs off an over from Drummond – including two big sixes – and was visibly frustrated when he fell to Blake Dean for 48 off just 27 balls. The innings slowed up from there to 118 all out.

Carlton shuffled their batting order and it nearly backfired when they slipped to 77-8, Mike Legget taking 3-16 and Craig Wright 3-18. That was until Drummond guided his team through to face either Edinburgh or Penicuik in the last four.