All-rounder Michael Shean digs Heriot's out of a hole

Man of the match Michael Shean was pleased to play his part with both bat and ball on Saturday as Heriot's began the defence of their CSL Eastern Premier Division title with victory.

Michael Shean on his way to 92 for Heriot's. Pic: Neil Hanna

Overnight and early morning rain scuppered Carlton’s chances of playing at Glenrothes, but the five other Capital teams in the top flight were all in action.

At Goldenacre, Heriot’s hosted new boys RH Corstorphine and the visitors began well, reducing the home side to 11-3 early on. James Hearn, Hayes van der Berg and new boy Elnathan Meiri were all back in the pavilion when Shean joined Peter Ross at the crease to rebuild the innings.

A partnership of 108 between the duo dragged Heriot’s up to 119 before wicketkeeper Ross was caught and bowled by Callum Dutia for 35.

All-rounder Shean, in his second season at Heriot’s, kept going though and his 92 helped his side to post 185-9 from their 43 overs, time having been lost in the match due to the early poor weather.

Ryan Brown chipped in with 15 and Elliot Ruthven 14 while RH Corstorphine skipper Joe Kinghorn-Gray took 4-46 and William Blease returned figures of 2-20.

The visitors’ reply got off to a stuttering start and they never recovered. When Majid Haq was bowled by Scotland squad seamer Ruthven for a duck, RH Corstorphine were 27-3 and Heriot’s skittled them out for 90 with consistent bowling.

Ruthven and spinner Shean took three wickets apiece and Ryan Brown continued where he left off last term with 2-9.

After the 95-run victory, 26-year-old Shean said: “The early morning rain and a lively pitch meant that it was quite a difficult start for us. The bowlers were getting good support from the wicket, so when myself and Peter Ross were together we were just looking to survive and build from there.

“Their spinners were containing us well and run scoring was tricky, so to put on 108 runs together and see the side up to 185 was pleasing.

“Elliot Ruthven then bowled really well for us opening up while Ryan Brown kept things tight and I was also glad to chip in with some wickets.

“A good, solid start for us and we are looking forward to the coming weeks.”

Mazars Grange also won at home.

They were taking on Aberdeenshire and their good total of 264-5 batting first was based on 78 not out from skipper Preston Mommsen.

Gordon Goudie opened the batting and posted 51 runs while Nick Farrar made 38.

Grange mixed things up a bit by opening the bowling with spinner Andrew Brock and the experienced Stuart Davidson, the latter playing his first top team league game in five years.

Both men took a wicket as did Goudie to keep things tight and as Aberdeenshire tried to accelerate their run chase Neil McCallum came into the attack and took 4-43.

Farrar also managed to grab two wickets as the Portgower Place men won by 71 runs.

There were defeats for Stewart’s Melville and Watsonians on the road.

Shaylen Pillay took 3-34 for Stewart’s Melville as they restricted Arbroath to 222-7 at Lochlands.

Kyle McCallum and Greg Bissett then put together a 50-run opening stand in the reply, but once they and Pillay were back in the pavilion, the run chase subsided.

In the end Stewart’s Melville were 91 all out.

Andrew Cockburn’s 47 helped Watsonians post 217-7 at Forfarshire.

However, 85 from Scotland man Craig Wallace saw the Broughty Ferry men home by five wickets.