Cricket: Watsonians undone by feisty Forfarshire fightback

WATSONIANS let slip a promising position to lose to Forfarshire and, in the process, saw their winning run in the SNCL Premier Division end.

The Edinburgh side went into the match at Myreside in second place and looking for a seventh league win on the spin. And, when they had the visitors, without captain Ryan Watson and Scotland man Matthew Parker, 92-6 it looked like a victory was on the cards.

However, visiting pro Kelby Pickering and Dennis Petrie came together and put on a good partnership to eventually see their side up to 203-8 from their 50 overs. Pickering got 53 and Petrie 47, but Watsonians, for whom Stuart Chalmers took 4-25, will feel they let the Broughty Ferry side get about 60 runs too many.

In reply Ryan Flannigan hit 51 to top score and Watsonians were always in with a chance of winning. They lost wickets at regular intervals though and in the end were bowled out for 198 to lose by five runs.

Heriot's got back on track in the First Division, Kiwi teenager Matthew Thomas taking five wickets in a win over Falkland.

Batting first at Goldenacre Heriot's made 220-8, Steve Knox opening up and making 47 and Sean Weeraratna hitting 65. Anthony Edington and Raja Javed then made early inroads to dismiss the Falkland openers before Thomas took 5-30 as they eventually won by 31 runs. Elsewhere, Penicuik were undone by a superb century from former New Zealand international Michael Papps at Ayr. His 100 was the main contribution in the hosts 269-7, Greg Ruthven being fairly expensive, but picking up three wickets. In reply the Midlothian men were always behind the required rate, Richard Partington top scoring with 42 in their 160 all out.

In the Second Division Jon Kent hit a brilliant 152 as SMRH saw off Freuchie away from home.

RH Corstorphine got back to winning ways with a 122-run home win over Kelburne, captain Rob More making 78 not out and Dave Ross 73, while Edinburgh went down to Renfrew by seven wickets at Academy Park.