Selkirk’s bid to end their seven-match losing streak in East League Division 3 almost succeeded in an extremely tight game at Philiphaugh on Saturday. However, in a nail-biting climax it was Tranent & PV 2’s tail-end batters who held their nerve to secure the winning runs, ensuring the East Lothian side collected maximum points.
Having won the toss, the visitors elected to field, a decision which appeared to have been vindicated following two quick dismissals that had Selkirk in trouble at 22-2.
However, a solid 65-run partnership between Kenny Paterson (42) and Rory Banks (39) steadied the ship, although Selkirk’s lower order batters found Tranent’s bowlers difficult to score against – David Gardiner (14) and Mikael Badenhorst (12) being the only two reaching double figures.
At the end of their 40 overs, the home team’s total stood at 140-7, Midhun Krishan (3-16) returning the visitors’ best bowling figures.
Tranent 2’s innings followed a similar pattern to that of Selkirk’s – struggling at 27-2, before getting back on track thanks to a 50-run partnership between Haran (34) and Kuzhi (40). Even so, when the visitors lost three wickets in quick session to make the score 130-8, with less than three overs to go, it looked as though the Souters might pull off a last-gasp win.
Tranent 2’s No. 8 batsman Mohammed Shareef (10*) had other ideas, however, hitting the winning runs to steer his side to a two-wicket victory in what proved to be a highly entertaining contest.
David Gardiner (3-19) was again the home side’s most successful bowler, backed up by Michael Fenton (2-25) and his brother Greg (2-26).
This Saturday, July 11, Selkirk travel to take on Boroughmuir at Meggetland.
Match report and photos by John Smail.