Selkirk Cricket Club

The season finally got going for the souters on Saturday with a trip to Edinburgh to take on Marchmont II. It ended up being a very long day for the visitors with ultimately little in the way of reward as they fell 6 runs short of victory.

Selkirk lost the toss and were asked to bowl and had a number of opportunities in the early overs but a series of edges to slip were put down and the opening batters took advantage.

The first wicket did not fall until the 13th over when B.Eagar (26) holed out to Bob Wilkinson at deep mid off and the other opener followed in the next over as B.Gillie had M.Ahmed (17) adjudged L.B.W.

The pace of scoring was modest but the home top scorer, H.Ramachandra (35), gave it some impetus with the shot of the day, a straight 6 back over the bowlers head. The 25 runs scored in the last 4 overs proved decisive in the end and this was down, in no small measure, to G.Ilsley (26) who managed a couple of boundaries in the closing overs. Selkirk were set 146 to win.

In response the visitors kept pace with their hosts but lost openers G.Fenton (19) and K.Toor(6) in succesive overs and I.Gardiner fell shortly thereafter without scoring.

It took a captains innings and solid support from lower order batters to put Selkirk in a position to score an unlikely victory. The souters captain M.Fenton (65) played patiently and was partnered ably by B.Gillie (22) to share a partnership lasting almost 23 overs and accumulating 68 runs.

With three overs remaining Selkirk needed a run a ball but the home bowlers finished strongly. Although somewhat erratic, J.Small (3-28) proved the match winner with 3 wickets in 8 balls (all bowled). Finally finding his line and length, Small removed first the captain and then father/son double of Bob and Shaun Wilkinson with the last two balls.

The first home league game of the season next Saturday sees Haddington come to Philiphaugh. We look forward to welcoming members and visitors. The game is due to start at 1pm but please keep an eye on the website for any changes.

WHEN it comes to leadership, Selkirk Cricket Club is happy to keep it in the family.

At a ceremony in the Philiphaugh clubrooms on Friday night, Michael Fenton was presented with his SCC captain’s blazer by his younger brother Greg, Selkirk’s skipper for the past five seasons.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Michael, who has been playing cricket at Philiphaugh since the age of 13.

“Greg and I have always been competitive, and used to play cricket in our bedroom at home. In fact during the summer months, half of Bannerfield would come and play cricket in my Mum and Dad’s garden.

“Years down the line many of these guys are still in the Selkirk set-up, players like Bob Wilkinson, Blaine Gillie and David Gardiner.”

A talented all-rounder like brother Greg, Michael is hoping Selkirk will have a successful campaign in East League Division 3.

“We’ve got a solid core of experienced players, so the aim is to try and go straight back up to Division 2.” Supporting Michael as Selkirk vice-captain will be Kenny Paterson.

Club president Roger Arnold thanked Greg for leading the team so ably over the past five years, and wished Michael all the very best in the months ahead.