Selkirk Cricket Club

SELKIRK managed to complete a quick victory over Grange III in Saturday’s East League Division 3 match in the wind and rain at Philiphaugh.

The captains agreed to reduce the game to 30 overs, in the expectation players would be spending some time taking cover in the pavilion. However, both teams played through the lighter showers and the pitch stood up well to a couple of heavy downpours. 

Selkirk won the toss and elected to bowl, but found wickets hard to come by. Daniel Heard opened with four excellent maidens, but ultimately went wicket-less for the first time this season.

There were few chances early on, and it took a rash decision by Docherty (8) to bring the first wicket. The opener called for a run to a ball he hit straight to Kieran Toor at point, and was stranded half-way down the wicket when Greg Fenton removed the bails.

Progress was slow but Chatt (14) looked in touch, especially cutting off the back foot, and he and Pretty (22) gave few chances.

Adam Murphy eventually removed Chatt with the score on 35. Pretty was then joined at the crease by visiting skipper Olly Davies, and both played solid shots for little reward in the wet outfield.

Greg Fenton (2-7) replaced Paterson coming down the hill and took two wickets in consecutive overs.

At 53-4 and with 11 overs to come, Grange III were hopeful of passing the 100-mark. However, when Davies (21) fell to Michael Fenton the visitors couldn’t keep the scoreboard ticking over and finished on a total of 86. 

There have been lower unsuccessful run chases at Philiphaugh but, outside a first ball duck for vice-captain Kenny Paterson, Selkirk took control from this point onwards.

When Michael Fenton drove his second ball to the long-off boundary it was clear he was in the mood. This attacking mind-set was mirrored by younger brother Greg, who played the shot of the day with a straight drive to the boundary wall.

Other than a bungled run-out opportunity, the pair gave no clear chances, and when play was halted by a heavy downpour, the home team were 64 for one after 11 overs.

The match resumed 10 minutes later, and soon afterwards Michael Fenton (40no) steered the ball down to the rugby club fence for a pushed 3 to win the game, leaving brother Greg at the other end on 44 not out. 

This was the third league victory in a row for Selkirk, and with the Common Riding sports being staged on the field next week, Selkirk travel to face Heriots III at Goldenacre this Sunday hoping to make it four.

Following a frustrating loss at local rivals Gala on Thursday evening, Selkirk made four changes for a well earned victory away at Murrayfield DAFS II.

The hosts won the toss, elected to bowl and would be excused if they had made mid-afternoon plans away from cricket considering the visit of the borderers last year when they were all out for 84 at a similarly sunny Roseburn Park. The early dismissal of opener Paterson (3) buoyed the Edinburgh bowlers and G.Fenton (32) and I.Gardiner (5) had to work hard for a partnership of 39 from 12 overs. Both had succumbed by drinks with the score at 62 for 3 and were replaced by respective siblings.

M.Fenton (28) and D.Gardiner (18) pushed the score along but were both tempted by the slower bowling of Rafferty, Fenton lobbing a catch to mid wicket and Gardiner playing on to his stumps. Ever capable of a cameo with the bat, H.Murphy (34*) stepped in to a starring role for the innings, and ultimately the match. He scored off every one of his first eight balls and hustled and harried the now much quieter fielding side, ably assisted by both A.Murphy (9) and Toor (10). The hosts were left bemoaning a dip in performance after drinks as Selkirk finished strongly with 34 runs from the last three overs to reach 162 with the loss of 7 wickets.

The league leaders were confident of chasing down the total but they lost a clutch of early wickets. Heard (4-20) was almost unplayable for his first four overs, pinning three of his victims LBW and catching the fourth himself. Rangaswamy and Mohammed steadied the ship and kept their wickets until drinks where Murrayfield DAFS IIs were similarly placed to their visitors at 64-4.

The stylish Mohammed was putting away every bad ball and the partnership moved beyond 50 before M.Fenton, on as 5th bowler, bowled Mohammed for 25 runs. Murrayfield DAFS IIs continued to build their score and the game was well poised with batters throwing the bat at ball at both ends. D.Gardiner got little reward for bamboozling the batters, with a multitude of fresh air swipes from the lower order batsmen. However, at last a catch was taken in his last over, the oldest player on the pitch taking a good high catch at deep cover.

At 125 for 8 the hosts still had a chance but G.Fenton had come back on to bowl and runs had dried up. Rangaswamy was taking bigger risks now, trying to maintain the right run rate, and scooped the ball to D.Heard. This spelled the end of the fight and at the other end M.Fenton cleaned up the tail to finish with 3-44. A.Murphy bowled Wilson-Barlow with the last ball of the innings, ensuring all Selkirk bowlers had taken a wicket.

This week marks 150 years of cricket at Philiphaugh and this will be marked by a double header against Grange, who were the first team to play Selkirk at their ‘new’ home in 1872. On Saturday is a Division 3 fixture against Grange III followed by a more sedate match on the Sunday between older players from both clubs. An invitation is extended to all ex players, officials and others to join us for this big weekend.

IT was sunshine all the way for local primary schoolchildren lucky enough to find themselves at Selkirk Cricket Club’s picturesque Philiphaugh ground last Friday, where they took part in a special Cricket Festival being staged as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

“Things really couldn’t have gone any better,” said event organiser Neil Gentleman, chair of Selkirk Cricket Club. “For many children this was their first taste of the sport, and I think they all really enjoyed the experience.”

“The club is extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of Selkirk for generously sponsoring the players’ t-shirts, while our thanks also go to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Fund for assisting with the cost of providing everyone with a packed lunch.”

On hand to help with the smooth running of the day was Cricket Scotland’s regional development officer for the east, Katie McGill (and current Scottish international player) . “This kind of event is a great way to introduce youngsters to the sport, and the players clearly had a fun time.”

Another key figure at the event was Live Borders’ active schools co-ordinator, Karen Cornwall, who had been responsible for ensuring all the local schools had the chance to enter teams. “Things have gone really well,” said Karen, “and hopefully this will be the forerunner for similar events in the future.”

Other volunteers for the day included club vice captain Kenny Paterson and first team players Adam Murphy, Harry Murphy and Ellie Wilkie. Thanks also to junior coach Cara Paterson and Matilda Gentleman for their help on the day, not least of all with distributing lunches to the hungry participants!

SELKIRK returned to winning ways on Saturday with a satisfying 65-run victory over Broomhall in the teams’ East League Division 3 fixture.

Vice-captain Kenny Paterson returned to the home side after injury and, alongside fellow opener Greg Fenton, helped get the hosts off to a flying start with an opening partnership of 53.

Fenton was bowled by Neil Millar (2-21) but Paterson was immovable and reached his 50 with a flick to midwicket and rapturous acclaim from spectators sitting in the sunshine.

Michael Fenton (29) and Rory Banks (21) kept the scoreboard ticking over and the hosts eventually posted a decent target of 166 for the visitors to chase.

Ieuan Ward was the pick of the Broomhall bowlers with 2-21, removing Paterson and Banks in consecutive overs.

Prior to Saturday’s game, Broomhall were top points scorers in the league and even though they lost an early wicket, the visitors’ batsmen looked in the mood to chase down the 166 target set by Selkirk.

The hosts proved up for the challenge and Broomhall found runs difficult to come by. Opener Ieuan Ward looked capable of single-handedly winning the game, and may have had more runs but for the fine efforts of fielders in the deep.

When Paterson took the key wicket of Scott Lucas, caught behind by Greg Fenton, the pressure on Ward to stay there increased. The opener moved past 50 but was taking risks to maintain the run rate and was pinned LBW by Greg Fenton (2-8), attempting a reverse sweep.

The visitors’ run rate plummeted as David Gardiner (2-5) made an immediate impression in his league comeback, while it was a red letter day for Alex Beveridge, taking his first wicket for the club with his very first ball to dismiss Broomhall on 100 runs.

Selkirk hit the road this weekend for a game against Division 3 frontrunners Murrayfield DAFS, while on Monday evening make the short trip across to Meigle Park for a Border 20/20 Cup fixture against old rivals Gala.

Spectators Welcome! All local primary schools will be represented and have the opportunity to win the ‘Inter Schools Trophy’.