Selkirk suffered a 55-run defeat in their opening East League Division 3 fixture against Kirk Brae at Double Hedges Road on Saturday.
Visiting skipper Daniel Heard won the toss and elected to put the home side in on a green wicket of variable bounce, with the outfield’s longish grass making boundaries hard to come by.
Zahid (22) was the first wicket to fall, clean-bowled by Heard, but opening partner Afaque Hussain (32) was in commanding form until brilliantly caught at long-on by Michael Fenton, who sprinted hard to his right before diving full-length to take a stunning one-handed catch.
The introduction of David Gardiner into the Selkirk bowling attack put further pressure on the home team, his deceptive slow-medium deliveries earning him the excellent figures of 4-17. However, Kirk Brae’s big-hitting lower order batters Muhammad Asif (21) and Mahammad Hussain (16) caused the visitors problems, helping the home side reach 141 all out in the 34th over.
Selkirk’s other wicket-takers were Heard (3-40), Greg Fenton (2-29) and Bob Wilkinson (1-12). Michael Fenton deserves a special mention for only conceding 12 runs in an impressive eight-over spell.
In reply, Selkirk got off to a solid start thanks to a fine 57-run opening partnership between Greg Fenton (32) and David Gardiner (10). Both had to be at their defensive best to handle the pinpoint accuracy of the home attack, each keeping their focus to give Selkirk a fighting chance of reaching the Kirk Brae total.
Sadly the pair’s team-mates were unable to follow their lead. Michael Fenton (11) was the only other visiting batter to reach double figures. From a position of 58-2, the Souters plunged to 86 all out in the 36th over.
The home side’s best bowlers were Umer Tahir (4-13) and Mohammad Hussain (3-20), but the unerring precision of all eight Kirk Brae bowlers held the key to the city side’s victory.
The match was played in an excellent spirit, and the umpires’ decisions were accepted without dissent by both teams.
Selkirk’s next Division 3 fixture is on Saturday, May 2, against Tranent & Preston Village in Prestonpans.
Match report and photos by John Smail.