WATSONIAN batsman Ewan Chalmers will be looking to celebrate his first Scotland cricket cap as his team attempt to defy what they term "the Carlton curse" tonight, writes BILL LOTHIAN.
The teams meet at Grange Loan in a Masterton twenty:20 trophy semi-final with Chalmers doubtless keen to warm up for a first international start against Canada over four days in Aberdeen, starting on Thursday. To do that, though, Watsonians will hav
e to set aside defeats earlier this season by their local rivals both at league and Scottish Cup level, their website referring to the setbacks as "the Carlton curse".
Despite that, Carlton, who will give a late fitness test to international batsman Bryn Lockie (back), are wary. Captain Jamie Kerr said: "We've been privileged to win the trophy in each of the past three years but what that also means is that teams are becoming all the more determined to put one over on us and we'll have to be ready.
"So far as Watsonians are concerned they chased down 180 to beat Grange in a previous round and lads like Steve Paige are bowling particularly well."
Alas for Watsonians, limited-over specialist bat James Easton is out with a hamstring injury.
In the other semi-final, Penicuik entertain RH Corstorphine with skipper Keith Morton hoping his side can draw on a run to last season's Scottish Cup final albeit under a 50 overs-a-side format.
Says Morton, whose team defeated Murrayfield/DAFS then received a walkover from Edinburgh CC to reach the last four: "Around half our side played in the Scottish Cup Final which should stand us in good stead. We are along the usual lines and will be wary of the bowling abilities of Paddy Saddler, whom I played with at Scottish under-19 level."
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