The 2021 cricket season commenced on Saturday at Boghall with Linlithgow taking on old rivals Stenhousemuir, looking to avenge last summer’s final day narrow defeat. Some new faces have been added to the club over the winter to help bolster the squad in their bid for trophies and promotion to the East of Scotland Championship and some of them made a telling impact on debut.

Batting first in this 40 over a side friendly Linlithgow set about building a winning total on a wicket which was a credit to the Boghall ground-staff given the recent weather. They gradually went through the gears with contributions from all batsmen, but the standout performer was new recruit Callum Martin who compiled a very stylish 83 on debut. He batted beautifully and paced the Linlithgow innings to perfection taking them to 218 runs from their allotted overs. His younger brother Rory joined him in the middle to add a quick-fire 32 with the hard hitting Dougie Voas also chipping in with 22.

The Stenhousemuir reply was never given the chance to gather any momentum as Linlithgow’s strong bowling attack squeezed them into submission with wickets falling at regular intervals. Andy Wallace, another of the club’s new signings, produced a wonderful spell of seam bowling taking 6 wickets for only 18 runs. He was ably supported by Gregor and Rory Thompson along with Andy Raven who shared the other 4 wickets between them as the visitors were all out for 101.

The 117 run victory sets Linlithgow up perfectly for the start of their league campaign which begins this Saturday at home to Edinburgh CC 2’s. The match will commence at 1pm with the clubhouse open throughout for refreshments while complying to all Covid19 guidelines.