Having been promoted to the top flight last summer, skipper Joe Kinghorn-Gray and his troops were determined to head into the top flight and make an impression early on. Over the first two weeks of the 2018 campaign they have certainly done that, pushing Heriot’s pretty hard in week one and then defeating Glenrothes last week. In the match with the Fifers at East Barnton Avenue, 18-year-old Clarkson took two wickets which were crucial to the outcome – and he is looking forward to the challenges ahead in the coming months. “I joined the club when I was around 11 because my older brother Robert [now second XI captain] was playing there,” Clarkson explains. “We were both at school at Edinburgh Academy and cricket-wise we loved it at Corstorphine and came up through the junior ranks and then into the senior teams. “I played my first game for the first XI when I was 15, the club were in the top flight back in 2015 and that was a great experience. “In 2016 I played a few more games for the firsts and then last year I managed to take 12 wickets in three games early on for the second team and I have been in and around the first XI set-up ever since. “There are a number of young guys in our extended squad who have played through the ranks together and with a young captain like Joe, helped along by experienced players like Majid Haq, we feel like we have a good balance. “To get the win last week was crucial and hopefully we can use that to kick us on to some more good results as the summer progresses.” Clarkson mentioned Haq and certainly, as a spin bowler, he has learnt a lot from the experienced Scotland man since the latter joined the club in 2017. And now he will have even more experience to tap into after new signing Hammad Azam, the pro for 2018, arrived from Pakistan. The 27-year-old fast bowler and strong batsman featured 16 times for Pakistan in white ball cricket – 11 T20 internationals and five ODIs – between 2011 and 2015. He is due to play his first game for the club tomorrow and Edinburgh College student Clarkson added: “It will be great to speak to him about his career to date and play alongside him. “Majid has helped me a lot, just by watching guys like that and how they go about things helps, and I am sure it will be the same with Hammad.” As well as Azam, new overseas amateur Jacob Wood also comes into the team tomorrow along with Kevin Meier. Heriot’s are top of the fledgling table with two wins from two and they host Carlton in a tasty looking derby at Goldenacre. The home side bring in Callum Martin, formerly of Aberdeenshire, for a debut while James Hearn, Michael Shean and Alex Knapman also come into the team. Carlton travel across town having defeated Watsonians last week with Parker Neame replacing Rory McCann who is unavailable. There is another Capital derby at Portgower Place where unbeaten Mazars Grange host Watsonians. Home skipper Preston Mommsen, this week named in the extended Scotland squad, is due to finalise his XI today. Watsonians are looking for their first league win of 2018 and have Andrew Cockburn and Tom Pratt joining the team. Stewart’s Melville give young Sam Tait a top-team opportunity as they host Forfarshire at Inverleith. On Sunday the Citylets Scottish Cup round one takes place. Holders Carlton begin with a trip away to last year’s semi-finalists Drumpellier while the team they beat in the final, Watsonians, host Forfarshire. Another interesting looking tie could be Grange’s trip west to take on Ayr.
