Selkirk notched their first midweek 20/20 victory of the season with a comfortable win against Kelso at Philiphaugh on Thursday.
Kelso were asked to bat first and opener Josh Gibson (19) looked good, hooking the third ball to the boundary at square leg, and taking a single to keep the strike.
However, while he wasn’t overly troubled, Gibson’s partners gave chances, and catches taken by Ian Gardiner and Gregor Borthwick saw Kelso reach 28 for four.
The change of bowlers brought some temporary respite when Ryan Webb (13) joined Gibson in the middle. However, Blaine Gillie (2-10) and Gregor Borthwick (3-10) combined to take four wickets in 15 balls for the loss of just one run.
Kelso slumped from 53 for 5 to 56 all out, Shaun Wilkinson taking the final wicket with his first ball of the contest, leaving four overs unused by the visitors.
to end the Tweedsiders’ innings
In Selkirk’s reply, Greg Fenton dispatched the first ball to the boundary and never looked likely to get out, overpowering the slow outfield for seven boundaries, including the final flourish of a six.
As reward for some stubbornness with the bat this year Gregor Borthwick was elevated to open with Fenton but found Kelso’s Kenny Keddie (1-22) difficult to get away and succumbed in the fifth over.
Todd Dekker (16) hit back, sending Keddie’s first ball to him over the leg side boundary, and then he and Fenton (40*) were able to score off almost every ball.
When Dekker was dismissed, caught by Ryan Webb, the end was in sight, Fenton completing the victory within 10 overs with a midwicket boundary.
Selkirk are back to ESCA Division 3 action this Sunday with the visit of Westquarter and Redding to Philiphaugh (noon start).
Match report by Neil Gentleman, with photos by John Smail.