A MAN with previous experience of defeating Carlton in a major cricket final is hopeful history will repeat itself this evening when RH Corstorphine travel to Grange Loan to take on the home side in the Murgitroyd Masterton Trophy.
The winners of the East section final will progress to the Twenty20 event's national finals day on Sunday, 16 August, at Poloc's Shawholm ground.
RH Corstorphine, the Scottish National Cricket League Second Division team, travel across the Capital
as massive underdogs, given that Carlton ply their trade in the top flight and have won this event for the last three seasons.
However, RH Corstorphine captain Kevin McLaren could do worse than mention the hat-trick he took back in August 2007 to help Greenock see off Carlton in the Scottish Cup final when he delivers his final team-talk to his side.
"Let's be clear, Carlton are big favourites to win this match given the way they have played in this form of cricket over the last few years and the calibre of players they have in their side.
"However, they are not unbeatable and if we go there and perform to the best of our abilities then we have a chance as Twenty20 cricket throws up all sorts of things. There is no doubt that promotion in the league is our aim this summer, but if we can win a trophy along the way then that can only be good for the club as a whole," the former Penicuik and Heriot's all-rounder said.
One man who all eyes will certainly be on tonight is RH Corstorphine opening batsman Preston Mommsen. The hard-hitting South African, who qualifies as a local player, was named the SNCL Second Division batsman of the year last term and looked all set to move to Carlton in the winter.
It never happened due to various reasons and the Carlton faithful will be hoping not to see too much of what they missed out on. His form this season has also been good, 352 runs coming in the league so far, while his bowling has also been good with 19 league scalps having culminated in a Scotland Lions place at the start of this month.
Other RH Corstorphine batsmen to keep an eye on are Tim Hancock, who can hit the ball a fair distance given the opportunity, and McLaren himself.
On the bowling front, RH Corstorphine will be without Gordon Allan who has been in fine form since his winter move from Grange, but teenage starlet Paddy Sadler is back from his trip to Jersey with Scotland under-19s and he will open the bowling.
"We are looking forward to the game and if we win the toss we will look to bat first and get a total of near 200 on the board. From there who knows what can happen," McLaren concluded.
Meanwhile, Carlton, looking for their fourth tournament win in a row and their 11th since the event began back in 1964, seem to have the Midas touch when it comes to the shortened form of the game.
Back in April they saw off Dunfermline with ease to clinch the national title for 2008, the final having been held back since last year, and so far in this year's East event they have beaten West Lothian, SMRH and Watsonians.
And they look set to be at full strength for tonight's encounter with Cedric English fit and Peter Deakin available.
Carlton midweek captain Jamie Kerr said: "We do enjoy this competition and hopefully we can lift the silverware again. A good win would set us up well for a big weekend," (they face Grange in the league on Saturday and then travel to Greenock on Sunday in the Scottish Cup]
In the semi-final at home to Watsonians, Gordon Drummond was the star – hitting 78 not out – and the Scotland man will be one to watch out for again tonight with bat and ball.
And the Carlton batting line-up generally looks strong with Ross Lyons likely to be way down at eight although he is a capable striker of the ball and may be needed in the latter overs.
The match is due to start at 5.30pm or as soon as possible after that time when all 22 players are at the ground.
Carlton: Fraser Watts, Cedric English, Peter Deakin, Bryn Lockie, Steve Gilmour, Gordon Drummond, Jamie Kerr, Ross Lyons, Omar Ahmad, Charles Legget, Ally Evans.
RH Corstorphine: To be confirmed.