Weather conditions at Philiphaugh for Selkirk’s East League Division 3 match against Boroughmuir were bitterly cold, but the action on the field proved red-hot.
In a match reduced to 35 overs, the home side pulled off a remarkable 11-run victory against the previously unbeaten league leaders – man of the match Greg Fenton delivering the ‘coup de grace’ by throwing down the stumps with a direct hit from mid-on to end the visitors’ innings.
Boroughmuir won the toss and elected to bowl, with the slow outfield ensuring both sides’ batters would have to work hard in order to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Greg Fenton (41) was once again Selkirk’s top scorer, steadying the ship after the loss of two early wickets. The all-rounder had looked on course for his half-century, until being caught in the covers by Gajander Singh off the bowling of B. Risi.
Michael Fenton arriving at the crease gave fresh impetus to the home innings, but his departure when he had scored 23 runs led to a mini-batting collapse – Selkirk losing their next four wickets for 15 runs, eventually finishing on 99-9 after 35 overs.
R. D. Souza (4-22) was the visitors’ top bowler, their other wicket-takers being K. S. Dhwgra (2-17), B. Risi (2-19) and G. Singh (1-10).
In reply, Boroughmuir got their innings off to a flying start thanks to solid knocks from A. Ghaffar (44) and L. Dignre (20). The match’s turning point came when Selkirk skipper Daniel Heard tossed the ball to his third-change bowler, Rory Banks. After clean-bowling the hard-hitting Ghaffar in his second over, Banks then produced a double wicket maiden in his next, eventually finishing with the superb figures of 3-7 from five overs. From being 65-3 after 21 overs, Boroughmuir suffered a similar batting collapse as their hosts, losing their last seven wickets for the addition of just 23 runs. The visitors eventually finished on 88 in the 31st over, 11 runs short of the home total. Apart from Banks, Selkirk’s other wicket-takers were Daniel Heard (3-28), David Gardiner (1-13), Michael Fenton (1-19) and Greg Fenton (1-21). The match was played in an excellent spirit throughout, and an appreciative crowd applauded both teams as they left the pitch. Selkirk’s next game is away v. MDAFS 2 at Roseburn Park on Saturday, May 16th. Match report and photos by John Smail.
