Graeme Batty laid the platform for the victory on Saturday with a brilliant century that lifted the Magpies from 6-96 to a competitive 9-235.

The total proved too much for Helensburgh, the Tigers only managing 198 in response.

Balgownie captain Jamie Fleming was pleased with the way his bowlers remained patient against some determined batting. 

“Helensburgh put in a courageous performance,” Fleming said. “I think they’re the only team in the competition that could have gutsed it out through those conditions against our bowling lineup and they really showed a lot of ticker, but we just had a bit too much for them in the end.

“I wasn’t too concerned when they fought back. Another 136 runs is still a lot of runs to chase, especially if you’re under pressure in the heat. We were bowling good lines, we just had to be persistent, that's what I said at the start and that's what we did.”

Balgownie started Sunday on the front foot, Jason Bunyan claiming the vital wicket of Tigers captain Mitch McCrae before he could trouble the scorer. The Helensburgh pain was then compounded with the removal of Lyndon James for just eight.

Two more wickets fell in quick succession and Helensburgh were right where Balgownie wanted them, 4-32 at the first drinks break.

However, the second hour of play saw the ball soften and the grind begin. 

The Tigers fought back, with Matt Ward and Ryan Morris adding 77 for the fifth-wicket. However, Fleming was able to break the crucial partnership when he had Ward stumped for 52 and from there, the Magpies slowly chiseled away at the Tigers lower order.

Fleming finished off the job when he bowled Tim Lloyd, his fifth wicket of the innings. 

McCrae lamented the slow start on Sunday, with those four early wickets ultimately crippling his team’s chances.

“We got off to a really ordinary start, which set us back,” McCrae said. “But our middle order, Matt Ward and Ryan Morris, really fought back, so we made a game of it, but Bally were too good on the day. 

“We both sort of batted in the same way early on, they lost wickets early as well. But Graeme Batty on Saturday, he just showed his class and experience and in the end he was the difference.”

The Magpies entered day two in control of the match, but it was not looking so promising for the minor premiers early on Saturday. 

Helensburgh struck early with the new ball, Tim Lloyd picking up three wickets. Spin bowler Chris Macnamara also claimed the crucial wicket of last week’s match-winner Adam Berwick and suddenly the Magpies were reeling at 5-63. 

The wicket of Jason Bunyan brought Luke McGregor to the crease to combine with Batty. With the ball ageing and the wicket flattening out, the pair combined to add 108 runs , lifting the side from 6-96 to 7-204. Ultimately Steve Blissenden broke the partnership, but not before McGregor had reached a half-century. McGregor departed for 52. 

Batty was eventually dismissed for 116, a man-of-the-match performance that won his side the match.