Selkirk Cricket Club

Walking alone from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, carrying a heavy rucksack and voluntarily adding 200 miles to the journey in order to visit cricket clubs along the way, ex-county cricketer Olivia Robinson doesn’t believe in doing things by half.

The aim of her 1200-mile trek is to raise awareness of the incredible impact sport, especially cricket, can have on mental health, while at the same time raising £20,000 for ‘Chance to Shine’ – a charity helping to inspire young people through cricket.

Following overnight stops at the Langholm and Hawick & Wilton Cricket Clubs, Olivia arrived at Selkirk’s Philiphaugh ground on Saturday, where she took a coaching session for a group of the club’s young players.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by how welcome all the cricket clubs along my route have made me feel,” said the 36-year-old.

“Selkirk is the 54th cricket club I have visited, and my next stop is Peebles. Cricket’s impact on my own life has been amazing, which is why I’m determined to share my story and try to inspire others to take up the game or to continue playing it.”

Anyone wishing to support Olivia’s incredible challenge can do so by clicking on this link to her Just Giving – A Chance to Shine page.

Story and photo by John Smail.

Even before a ball had been bowled, the omens were hardly promising for Selkirk in their East League Division 3 match against RHC 3 at the Gyle on Saturday.

Having won the toss and put the home side in to bat, Selkirk skipper Daniel Heard dislocated a thumb during pre-game catching practice. He spent the next three hours at the nearby Western General Hospital, having the damaged metacarpal bone reset and the torn skin stitched.

To their credit, RHC agreed one of their players could deputise in the field for the visitors’ injured captain – a gesture much appreciated by the Souters.

Brothers Greg and Michael Fenton spearheaded Selkirk’s bowling attack, but found openers Yassar Ali (52) and Kakail Nuristani (55) in top form, repeatedly exploiting the ground’s short boundaries.

The home club’s lower order batters were no less effective, with the third half-century of the match being scored by N. Shaik. Other useful contributions came from Aziz (28) and Follows (33) taking RHC’s total to 251/9 at the close.

Greg Fenton (3/45), Bob Wilkinson (3/55), Rory Banks (1/41), Michael Fenton (1/46) and Blaine Gillie (1/62) were the visitors’ wicket-takers.

Chasing such a big total, Selkirk got off to a solid enough start through Greg Fenton (16), Kenny Paterson (12) and Todd Dekker (17).

However, when they departed Selkirk wickets began to fall at regular intervals. Only spirited knocks by Michael Fenton (41) and his brother Darren Fenton (32*) kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Even so the Souters were still 53 runs short of the RHC total when the team’s final wicket fell in the 36th over. H. Sultani (3/34) and S. Faizi (2/46) were the pick of the home bowlers, Selkirk ending their innings on 198/9.

Showing no ill-effects from his earlier hospital visit, Daniel Heard insisted on assuming umpiring duties within five minutes of returning to the Gyle – a captain unwilling to let responsibilities slip through his fingers, however painful.

Match report and photos by John Smail.

Selkirk finished their 2025 Border T20 Cup campaign with a win, a nine-wicket victory over Peebles County at The Gytes on Wednesday night.

At the heart of the team’s five-star display was a brilliant innings of 62 not out by opener Todd Dekker. The talented Aussie hit two sixes and eight fours in a quickfire 37-ball knock, notching his second half-century of the season.

He received solid support from Rory Banks (28*), with the pair putting together a match-winning 60-run partnership.

Batting first, Peebles County got off to a flying start thanks to some aggressive batting from S. Parakattu (33) and M. Prajapatta (32), and had reached 91-8 by the end of their 20 overs.

Selkirk’s wicket-takers were Rory Banks (2/14), Liam Skeldon (1/15), Daniel Heard (1/17) and Blaine Gillie (1/22).

Selkirk reached their winning total of 94-1 inside 11 overs.

Match report and photos by John Smail.