HOLDERS Carlton will meet RH Corstorphine in the final of the Masterton twenty:20 knock-out cricket cup at Grange Loan next Thursday.
In last night's semi-finals, Carlton made the most of being put into bat by visitors Watsonians while, at Kirkhill, Penicuik finished well short of an RH Corstorphine side spearheaded by Preston Mommsen, who hit 81.
Bidding for their fourth consec
utive title, Carlton suffered an early blow when opener Bryn Lockie fell to his second delivery, from Garrick Sutherland.
The early dismissals of Fraser Watts (10) and Steve Gilmour (4) caused further unease amongst Carlton but a glorious 120-run partnership from Peter Deakin (48 not out) and Gordon Drummond (78 not out) saw a total of 169-3 posted.
Following up from where he left off against his old club when he smacked 75 not out in a recent Scottish Cup tie, Drummond flayed the bowling for eight 4s and three 6s.
In reply, Watsonians, with Fraser Sands, Nick Boorman and Ben Fox all making top-team debuts, foundered after an early flourish by Ryan Flannigan (31) and Euan Stubbs (20), who put on 53 for the first wicket in nine overs.
With new internationalist Ewan Chalmers falling for five after going in at No.3, Watsonians were always going to struggle and they eventually closed on 107-7 with Deacon, Drummond and Ally Evans all taking 2-19.
Meanwhile, RH Corstorphine saw their 161-4 total boosted by 18 Penicuik wides.
Matthew Foulds did offer some resistance with 32 out of a Penicuik total of 110 but Paddy Saddler sealed RH Corstorphine's place in the final with two wickets off the final two deliveries.
