In a match unlikely to be surpassed for high drama anywhere in the country this season, Selkirk pulled off a remarkable ‘come-from-behind’ victory against Marchmont 2 at Cavalry Park in an East League Division 3 fixture on Saturday.
Chasing the home side’s sizeable total of 182 for six, during their own innings Selkirk were indebted to Todd Dekker’s fine knock of 56 to keep them in the game.
However, when he departed at the end of the 39th over, the score at 179 for seven and Selkirk four runs behind, the balance had tipped in the home side’s favour.
This brought 15-year-old Shaun Wilkinson to the wicket, who managed to snatch a single off the over’s penultimate ball, leaving Blaine Gillie to face the final delivery, knowing three runs were still required for victory.
Showing nerves of steel, Blaine heaved a powerful sweep over the leg-side boundary for four runs – sparking wild scenes of celebration amongst his team-mates.
Selkirk won the toss and elected to field and quickly had the home side in difficulty at 22/2, the wickets falling to Michael Fenton (1/19) and brother Greg Fenton (1/27).
Some spilled catches allowed the Marchmont batters to regroup, and Oliver Dyson (36) and Mudassir Ahmed (42) took the score to 108/4.
Free-hitting Milind Bangar (48*) helped the home team reach 182/6 at the end of 40 overs, with Blaine Gillie (3/35) and Bob Wilkinson (1/30) taking the remaining Marchmont wickets, Bob’s coming via wicketkeeper Todd Decker’s catch.
In reply, Selkirk openers Greg Fenton (35) and Kenny Paterson (24) got Selkirk off to a solid start, the score 79/1 when rain interrupted play in the 20th over.
On the game’s resumption, a finely judged partnership between Michael Fenton (35) and Todd Dekker (56) put victory within touching distance for Selkirk.
Dekker’s dismissal at the end of the 39th over left the Souters still needing four runs for victory, but Blaine Gillie kept a cool head to hit a majestic four off the final ball of the match, bringing the curtain down a truly remarkable contest.
Five of the six Marchmont bowlers used took a wicket apiece, but above all it was a great contest of intense fluctuations played in an excellent spirit throughout.
Match report and photos by John Smail.