Although still propping up the table in East League Division 3, Saturday’s victory over third-placed Holy Cross at Philiphaugh gave Selkirk and their supporters a timely morale boost. If the Souters can repeat the feat in their remaining three games against Livingston 2 (away), Westquarter and Marchmont 2 (both home), then it looks odds-on they will be able to avoid the drop.
Bowling has been Selkirk’s strongest suit throughout the season, and so it proved again on Saturday, with the visitors being dismissed for just 47 runs in 26 overs.
Selkirk’s destroyer-in-chief was once again first change bowler David Gardiner, who finished with the remarkable figures of 6-9, in the process taking his wickets tally for the season to 32.
Selkirk’s other wicket-takers were Daniel Heard (2-14), Liam Skeldon (1-13) and Greg Fenton (1-8). C. Patel (11) was the only Holy Cross batsman to reach double figures.
In reply, Selkirk reached 48-2 in just 13 overs, the bulk of their runs coming from Greg Fenton (24) and Ewan Torrance (10*).
Selkirk’s next match is against Livingston 2 at Murieston Valley on Saturday, August 8th, while on the Sunday the long-established Authors XI team pay a visit to Philiphaugh as part of Selkirk’s 175th anniversary celebrations.
Match report and photos by John Smail.