Cricket: Easton's ton is rare beauty for Watsonians

James Easton underlined credentials as one of the top all-round team sportsmen on the Capital scene with a maiden league century - after 13 years trying - as Watsonian cricketers defeated Heriot's by 38 runs at Goldenacre in the Premiership.

The victory had considerable consequences so far as the battle for a top-four finish and access to the new play-offs are concerned. For, in leapfrogging their Edinburgh rivals, Watsonians have moved up to fifth while a Heriot's side hampered by hamstring injuries to both Craig MacKellar and Andre van Niekerk plunge from fourth to seventh.

However, while Carlton, Arbroath and Forfarshire are well clear, just six percentage points separate Aberdeenshire, Watsonians, Barclays Wealth Grange and Heriot's in what is realistically a race for one spot over the final two weekends of the regular campaign.

That Watsonians are back in the hunt owed a massive amount to pro Tim Weston hitting 91 before shuffling across his stumps to fall lbw and also Easton whose 100 not out was completed with a double from the ultimate delivery by Atif Hussein in a seven-ball over.

It was typically hard hitting stuff from the man who scored a try for Watsonians at Murrayfield in the 2003 Scottish club rugby cup final, coincidentally against Heriot's although that was a losing cause.

Compiled off 85 balls the 'ton' was far from chance-less - Easton was dropped three times - but it was priceless in moving the score along to an eventual 254-5 after the first 11 overs had yielded just 23 runs. Easton hit eight fours and one six which was one more boundary than Weston with whom he shared a partnership of 138 easily surpassing this year's league record for the fifth wicket of 11 by Forfarshire's Scott Galloway and Aman Bailwal.

Little wonder Ross Brooks, Watsonian president, was only too willing to pay tribute to the centurion who modestly summed up his achievement on "Twitter", saying: "Just good to finally get a score that has zeros and a 1 in front!"

Brooks said: "James' contribution to Watsonians is immense; the ultimate club man."Whether in rugby or cricket every club needs someone like James.

"His century may have been 13 years in the making but there was a time years ago when he was stranded on 98 with opponents bowling wides to prevent a century being scored against them."

By contrast, Heriot's could not have been more sporting after Easton had called for the all-important second run then virtually hurdled the stumps at the Warriston end of the ground while punching the air in delight.

Celebrations do not come much bigger - or more deserving for someone who once hit 96 not out in the 2003 Masterton Twenty20 Trophy final win over Penicuik and who previously managed to combined a cricket innings and a stint for Watsonians rugby team in a pre-season friendly on the same day.

Replying to Watsonians' target Heriot's were in decent shape until Sean Weeraratna departed for 61 and his dad, Tino, struck a couple of boundaries supporting Qasim Ashraf (41) as early momentum was maintained.

However, injuries meant MacKellar, who pulled up after one of his overs and later made a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to continue at the other end, and van Niekerk batting with runners and the writing was on the wall as Heriot's reached 200 still requiring 56 off the concluding 36 balls.

Easton's final 50 may have come off 30 deliveries but he had his eye in and it was no surprise when the gallant Heriot's reply ended on 216 with Nick Boorman marking his return from completing a masters degree at St Andrews University with 3-42 as part of a sustained spin attack also featuring debutant Chris Cash and Chetan Dhingra.

Watsonians had duly been rewarded for their highest league total of the season and now await Stoneywood Dyce who were beaten at home by a Grange side for whom Gregor Maiden hit 93 and Warren McSkimming 48.

Leaders Carlton, meanwhile, returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory at Greenock where Scotland skipper Gordon Drummond top scored with 33 in a total of 212 then took 3-8 in helping dismiss the hosts for 154. Grange need to win at home on Saturday against Drumpellier to keep their qualification hopes alive while it's first versus second at Grange Loan this weekend where Carlton entertain Arbroath.