Edwards swats 35 not out in Grange win

TEENAGE cricket talent Henry Edwards helped Grange record a victory over the National Academy in their SNCL Premier Division opener at Raeburn Place.

Edwards, a 16-year-old Fettes College pupil, opened the batting for the Stockbridge outfit and hit 35 not out to see them home via the Duckworth/Lewis method.

The Academy, batting first and buzzing from their win over Clydesdale 24-hours earlier, were in trouble early on at 20-4 with Grange opening bowlers Stuart Davidson and Micky Thomas doing a good job. The youngsters from the Academy rallied somewhat with Calvin Burnett adding some useful runs, but they were restricted to 162 all out in a match reduced to 39-overs a side. As well as Davidson, spinner Andy Wilson and Mike Powell took two wickets apiece and all-rounder Giles Holmes took 3-35.

Grange reached 95-2 off 25 overs in reply before the rain returned, but they had done enough to win on D/L. Along with Edwards, Cammy Coles and Mike Powell chipped in with useful runs and Stuart Moffat was at the crease at the end to set up the team for their derby clash at Carlton next week.

Meanwhile, across town at Myreside, Grange star Neil McCallum hit 84 not out as the Eastern Knights saw off the Western Warriors in the Regional Series.

Batting first, McCallum's runs, along with some useful late hitting from Watsonians' Stuart Chalmers, helped the East get up to 164 all out with Yorkshire-based seamer Neil picking up three wickets for the visitors.

Heriot's Sean Weeraratna and Carlton's Gordon Drummond both took 3-19, as the West slumped to 112 all out.