SELKIRK skipper Greg Fenton scored his first half-century of the season, and older brother Michael produced a superb bowling display for his first five-wicket haul in Division 3, as the Philiphaugh side convincingly defeated visitors Haddington on Saturday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat in the warm conditions, Greg Fenton hit two smooth cover drives to the boundary to settle any nerves. Haddington bowlers Ash Kumar (2-25) and James Shaw (2-21) combined well at either end to slow the home scoring rate, with Michael Fenton (19) their first victim.
When Daniel Heard came out to bat on the loss of the 5th home wicket, it looked as though Greg Fenton might run out of partners. However, Heard (14) helped his captain reach the 50-run mark and beyond. Fenton (eventually out for 83) played some impressive shots, not least a full-blooded six to mid-wicket. The Selkirk tail, skittled out for just 3 runs last week, managed to see out the 40 overs – adding 34 to take the home total to 154 and present a decent challenge for the visitors.
Selkirk got off to the perfect start when a short, first-ball delivery from Michael Fenton took opener Cruikshank by surprise, with Kenny Paterson taking a simple catch. Logan then succumbed to Fenton’s pace, firing a thick edge to Beveridge at point. When Blades gloved behind three balls later, again to a short delivery from Fenton, things looked grim for the East Lothian side.
Visiting captain James Shaw finally put some runs on the board, but Cardwell-Moore completed the full set of ducks for Haddington’s top four batsmen when bowled by Fenton at the end of the 9th over. A flurry of shots from Arbuthnott added 12 to the total, and number 10 Syme hit some consolation runs, but Haddington’s total of 42 all out was a disappointing return. Michael Fenton took his fifth wicket of the day by bowling Kumar, finishing with the outstanding figures of 5-5. Blaine Gillie ended the Haddington innings with two wickets in five balls.
If they are to secure back-to-back wins, Selkirk will need a top performance this Saturday away to runaway league leaders Tranent & Preston Village.
