HERIOT'S last night won the Scottish Cup for the third time in their history and brought the trophy back to Edinburgh for the first time in 12 years, the year of their last success in the tournament.
That statistic was always going to be amended given their opponents were city rivals Watsonians, a club that had been chasing a league and cup double.
Both served up an entertaining, if ultimately one-sided, match which the Goldenacre side won by seven wickets. Chasing 172 runs for victory, Heriot's came flying out the blocks to reach 25-0 from just four overs.
However, after two further runs captain Steve Knox was yorked by Dewald Nel and Watsonians gradually applied further pressure. The introduction of Craig Wright brought a double success with David Ross just failing to clear the fielder at long-on before Kevin McLaren holed out on the deep mid-wicket boundary.
Both Wright and Stuart Chalmers continued to keep it tight while Brad Kneebone and Cammy Farrell were forced to rebuild the innings. The pair managed to do just that in an unbroken stand of 114 which carried Heriot's to cup glory.
Kneebone provided the anchor and Farrell, defeated when part of the Dunfermline side that reached last season's final, played the more aggressive role, hoisting a six over long-on.
However, boundaries were at something of a premium on a slow Titwood outfield and the pair seized on every opportunity to increase the total with quick running between the wickets.
Farrell became more belligerent as victory neared, moving to his half-century with another maximum off Stuart Chalmers. He added a third – his biggest yet which would land in the adjoining school playground – as his side hastened towards their winning target. They reached it with seven overs to spare, Farrell striking the winning boundary to finish on 75 while Kneebone made a classy 51 not out.
Earlier Watsonians captain Chalmers held his side's innings together after Heriot's had seized early control in helpful bowling conditions.
Sean Weeraratna claimed two wickets: James Easton and Andy Hislop's both falling. Ali Farooq also got in on the act when he bowled Chalmers, putting Watsonians in trouble at 25-3.
Chalmers and elder brother Andrew effected partial repairs to take the tally to 60 before the latter bowed out on 23. Wright then departed for just 8.
More bails fell as the afternoon wore on and Watsonians were left with the consolation of reflecting on their first top-flight league title, Grange's defeat securing the trophy.
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