By Dan Smith

In form Clackmannan travelled to Craiglockhart in Edinburgh to face Watsonian’s 3rd team on Saturday, sitting comfortably at the top of the league and confident of producing a performance capable of defeating the Edinburgh outfit, who in contrast were languishing at the foot of division 4.  Skipper Craig Black won the toss and chose to field first on what appeared to be a wicket which would considerably favour the bowlers.

Clackmannan opened the bowling with the usual pairing of Riswan Ashraf and Matthew Booth. Both bowlers found their rhythm immediately, with no runs being scored off the first two overs. In the third over the outstanding Ashraf had Watsonians skipper Steve Lockhart trapped plumb LBW.  He struck again soon afterwards, clean bowling the number three batsman with a perfect yorker. Despite these wickets falling Fergus Lockhart remained unmoved at the other end and set about building a useful partnership with number four Easton. However, Booth then got his name in the wickets column having Alisdair Easton trapped LBW. Ashraf then took the wicket of the opener Lockhart, with the latter dollying a simple catch to Dan Smith at mid on. This brought Watsonians star batsman Kolte to the crease and he was supported ably by young Bryans. A battle of wills ensued between Bryans and Clackmannan bowler Keith Hefer, before Hefer got his man with an excellent slower ball. Kolte followed soon after, with skipper Black holding on to an excellent catch to the delight of the impressive bowler Alan Oliver. Oliver and Noor Jhangir then set about removing the last four batsmen in quick succession, with catches being held by Riswan Ashraf and Dan Smith. An excellent effort in the field from the league leaders with the five bowlers used bowling extremely impressively, dismissing Watsonians for a paltry 57.

Clackmannan opened the batting with Graham Oliver and Dan Smith, but Smith was dismissed with the final delivery of the first over, playing a drive whilst off balance and being dismissed by an excellent catch by Kolte. Gordon Oliver then joined his son at the crease. Graham looked very comfortable and played several of his trademark pull shots to the boundary, with Oliver senior happy to watch his son take the attack to the Watsonians bowlers. Oliver Jnr was then dismissed for 29, having taken the game out of Watsonians reach. Gordon Oliver then looked to attack the bowling and along with Graeme Anderson saw the side home with 8 wickets to spare.

The spectators noted that it was nice to see 12 year old Jamie Cousin son of ex-Clackmannan County player Mike Cousin playing for Watsonians - a player for the future.

An excellent performance from Clackmannan which guarantees promotion, and, barring a crushing defeat next week, the league title.