SELKIRK slumped to a 72-run East League Division 3 defeat at the hands of Drummond Trinity II in Edinburgh on Saturday.
An East of Scotland Premier League fixture was being played simultaneously in front of the impressive pavilion at Goldenacre, and one difference which stood out was the different sounds emanating from each of the pitches. In the premier league contest, cries of ‘catch it’ were inevitably followed by raucous shouts of acclaim. In the Division 3 match, however, increasingly despondent groans could be heard as fielders spilled the ball. The hosts missed a few chances, but the visitors were profligate.
Selkirk can probably reflect that, despite dropped catches, they probably edged the first 20 overs of this match. R. Banks (3-21) had taken three wickets in his first four overs and A.Murphy (2-31) was also getting some reward for his efforts having taken 2 wickets in his first three overs. Ironically there were three good catches taken, two by G.Fenton and a sharp catch taken at first slip by J.Hughes. The souters had some regrets but with Drummond Trinity at 56 for 6 they were in a strong position. The hosts rallied after drinks and consecutive partnerships of 37 and 34 for the 7th and 8th wickets enabled them to get to 142 from 36.5 overs. R.Banks took an excellent catch running round the boundary to remove the final wicket. Batting down at No.8, Dawood Khan top scored with 28.
The hosts made a similarly positive start to their turn with the ball with the erratic Khan (2-21) taking both G.Fenton and M.Fenton with two of his better balls which nipped away, both batters edging to the wicketkeeper for 9 runs. R.Banks was the only Selkirk player to get to double figures on the day and probably regretted the choice of shot at an unremarkable delivery from Pamarthi (2-13). At drinks Selkirk were at an almost identical position to their hosts, struggling at 57 runs for 6 wickets.
However, whereas four lower order batsmen had all reached double figures for Drummond Trinity, the Selkirk tail added just 8 runs. Having scored 25 with the bat, and taken three catches behind the stumps, A.Fraz took off his wicketkeeping pads and bowled what was to be the last over, consisting of: two wides, two dot balls, two runs off the bat and two wickets. Fittingly the last play of the game included a large shout from the Drummond Trinity players to ‘catch it’. S.Babul positioned himself under the high ball and took the catch with ease. Catches win matches.
Selkirk Travel to Melrose on Wednesday evening for a Border 20/20 fixture and return to Philiphaugh on Saturday for the visit of Division 3 top points scorers Broomhall.