Selkirk Cricket Club

SELKIRK put further pressure on second placed Murrayfield DAFS II at the top of East League Division 3 following a pulsating victory over the city side at Philiphaugh.

The visitors asked Selkirk to bat after winning the toss, and openers Greg Fenton and Harry Murphy found runs hard to come by. Fenton’s was the first wicket to fall in the 13th over, the home skipper being bowled by off-spinner Patrick Andrews (2-41) for a carefully compiled 33.

Andrews dismissed Michael Fenton (24) a few overs later, and at drinks Selkirk had reached 79-2. Murphy (18) and Rory Banks (14) looked set to make some progress but both succumbed to R. Mohammed, who went on to finish as the visitors’ top bowler with 4 for 23. Selkirk would add a meagre, but ultimately vital, 36 runs in the final 15 overs for a modest total of 135 for eight.

Despite losing a couple of early wickets, Murrayfield DAFS II looked the most likely winners as opener Mulholland (30) and Peters (21) proved a dangerous combination – the latter hitting a huge six to cow corner off Kenny Paterson. However, Peters was caught flat-footed by Rory Banks in the next over, out LBW.

Chinni (44) and Mulholland got things back on track for Murrayfield, until Greg Fenton brought himself on to bowl and bent back Mulholland’s stumps in his second over. Opening bowler Michael Fenton (2-32) then returned to the fray, with Chinni helping himself to 15 runs from the first two overs of his spell, including a majestic six back over the bowler’s head.

With the visitors six wickets down, the Souters continued to keep up the pressure. With his dander now up, Michael Fenton out-thought Murrayfield batsman Chinni, who mistimed a quicker delivery and sent the ball high to extra cover. The ever-reliable Blaine Gillie, running round from mid-off, took the difficult catch to change the momentum of the match.

The visitors only managed to add seven runs for the final three wickets, falling short of their target by 22 runs.

Banks (3-16) and Greg Fenton (4-9) shared seven wickets for the loss of 25 runs. Despite some earlier drops, some fine catches were taken towards the end of the match, including an excellent one-handed diving effort from Michael Fenton (now behind the stumps) and the match-winner catch by vice-captain Kenny Paterson.

Selkirk will need to show all of the fight they displayed on Saturday to Edinburgh next week, where they face a Grange III team also on the rise in Division 3.

Selkirk travelled to Fife on Saturday and came away with 20 points which keep them in contention for promotion from Division 3. It was a long day for the souters with both teams batting out their 40 overs. 

The hosts won the toss and asked Selkirk to bat. Captain Greg Fenton and Harry Murphy made a solid start, and both scored easily until Murphy (20) edged a good delivery from Millar (2-24) with the total on 70 from 15 overs.

Greg Fenton posted his half-century with a six into an adjoining property’s garden, taking him 60 deliveries. However he only needed another 24 to reach his century, smashing 21 runs off one over alone (including 3 sixes).

Michael Fenton reached his 50 in smart time and was looking set to follow the captain’s lead but fell to I. Ward (2-46), edging behind to J. Hynd. The Broomhall keeper took three catches on the day, including a spectacular effort to remove Kieran Toor, diving full-stretch to his right.

Selkirk’s second wicket partnership had added 107 runs to the total, and Broomhall players were relieved to see the back of the visiting skipper when he eventually fell to Millar having scored 113.

Blaine Gillie (14) drove his first ball through the covers for four and also hit the last two balls of the innings to the boundary, setting the Fifers 232 to win.

Broomhall began well and saw off Selkirk’s opening bowlers, looking comfortable on the artificial wicket (now it was the Souters’ turn to hunt among the nettles for balls hit into the wooded area beside the ground).

Vice-captain Kenny Paterson came on as first change, taking a wicket in his very first over. Greg Fenton then took the vital wickets of Lucas and Millar, both caught behind by Michael Fenton.

A stubborn 53-run partnership between Hynd and Gudgin frustrated the visitors, but Jamie Hughes completed his full house of one run, one catch and one wicket when he bowled Breen.

Daniel Heard added some sparkle to his figures in his second spell, taking the last three wickets for seven runs. Broomhall were all out for 155, some 77 runs short of their target. 

Selkirk host Murrayfield DAFS 2nds at Philiphaugh this Saturday in a top of the table clash, the Edinburgh side sitting above the Souters in second place of Division 3.

Magnificent bowling from Selkirk on Saturday saw them secure a seven wicket victory over Drummond Trinity II.

Selkirk lost the toss and the visitors chose to bat. From the outset the visitors were finding it difficult against the opening bowlers. While M.Fenton was beating the bat at one end, D.Heard picked up a wicket in each of his first three overs. The visiting side were hopeful that a bowling change would be in their favour but Banks and Paterson were equally effective. When I.Gardiner took his second catch of the day to remove Anwar things were not looking good for the Edinburgh side.

Now at the crease, Koti and Nasir were a dangerous pairing, the latter visiting Philiphaugh on the back of scoring 68 runs the previous week and the former with something to prove having been dropped down from the 1^st XI this week. It was to be the home bowlers day however and Banks bowled Nasir in his third over. By drinks Drummond Trinity were struggling at 45 for 6.

There was no complacency from the souters and after drinks Paterson bowled out his final four overs for just 2 runs and took two further wickets, finishing with 4 for 17. The innings was over in the 29^th over when D.Heard took his fourth wicket of the day to finish with top figures for the day, 4 for 11, cementing his position as the top bowler in Division 3.

In reply, G.Fenton was full of intent from the outset, looking to score quickly. Murphy played at a wide ball and was caught behind bringing M.Fenton to the crease. Both looked determined to finish the game quickly and did give the visiting side some chances in the field. By the time G.Fenton (34) was out LBW to Veeramachaneni the score was at 58 and the job was almost done so even when M.Fenton (21) gave an easy catch to Arepelly at mid on the game was done and Banks knocked off the last 6 runs with some ease.

Selkirk travel to Fife next week for a tough fixture against the unpredictable Broomhall, who have only lost a couple of games at home this season.

The club has been in touch with Ipswich firm Club Colours Ltd with a view to the company producing some traditional Selkirk CC blazers – using the same design and material as those being worn in the photos below by Neil & Roy, and by Selkirk’s 1905 Border League-winning side. The firm would produce a new bolt of material, then make up the jackets to each individual buyer’s measurements. Depending on the number of orders, the cost would be £228 per blazer. Would anyone who’d like to order a Selkirk club blazer please get in touch with John Smail (01750 21616), so he can get an idea whether this is going to be a viable proposition. Many thanks.

SELKIRK skipper Greg Fenton scored his first half-century of the season, and older brother Michael produced a superb bowling display for his first five-wicket haul in Division 3, as the Philiphaugh side convincingly defeated visitors Haddington on Saturday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat in the warm conditions, Greg Fenton hit two smooth cover drives to the boundary to settle any nerves. Haddington bowlers Ash Kumar (2-25) and James Shaw (2-21) combined well at either end to slow the home scoring rate, with Michael Fenton (19) their first victim.

When Daniel Heard came out to bat on the loss of the 5th home wicket, it looked as though Greg Fenton might run out of partners. However, Heard (14) helped his captain reach the 50-run mark and beyond. Fenton (eventually out for 83) played some impressive shots, not least a full-blooded six to mid-wicket. The Selkirk tail, skittled out for just 3 runs last week, managed to see out the 40 overs – adding 34 to take the home total to 154 and present a decent challenge for the visitors.

Selkirk got off to the perfect start when a short, first-ball delivery from Michael Fenton took opener Cruikshank by surprise, with Kenny Paterson taking a simple catch. Logan then succumbed to Fenton’s pace, firing a thick edge to Beveridge at point. When Blades gloved behind three balls later, again to a short delivery from Fenton, things looked grim for the East Lothian side.

Visiting captain James Shaw finally put some runs on the board, but Cardwell-Moore completed the full set of ducks for Haddington’s top four batsmen when bowled by Fenton at the end of the 9th over. A flurry of shots from Arbuthnott added 12 to the total, and number 10 Syme hit some consolation runs, but Haddington’s total of 42 all out was a disappointing return. Michael Fenton took his fifth wicket of the day by bowling Kumar, finishing with the outstanding figures of 5-5. Blaine Gillie ended the Haddington innings with two wickets in five balls.

If they are to secure back-to-back wins, Selkirk will need a top performance this Saturday away to runaway league leaders Tranent & Preston Village.