Saturday saw Linlithgow take on Drummond Trinity at Boghall, hoping to bounce back from their narrow defeat away at Penicuik last weekend. Drummond Trinity won the toss and made the easy decision to bat first on an immaculate wicket that was perfect for batting.

The visitors did not really make the most of the conditions as the scoreboard progressed slowly throughout the innings. Wickets fell at regular intervals and the final total of 153 for 7 wickets from their 45 overs looked below par for the conditions. This said, Linlithgow bowled well and forced the visitors to play ‘big shots’ by building the pressure and stifling run scoring. The pick of Linlithgow’s bowlers for this week was skipper Grant Raven who finished with figures of 9 overs, 3 wickets for just 23 runs. Craig Black also grabbed his opportunity to bowl following injury to Clinton Dixon early in his spell. Craig finished with figures of 2 wickets for 30 runs off 9 overs.

Linlithgow were in good spirits at the break having restricted the visitors to what looked an achievable score. In reply, Gregor Thomson and Dougie Voas opened the batting and took the game by the scruff of the neck as the score rattled along to 35 after just 4 overs. Voas was then bowled for 15 but Thomson continued to bat brilliantly as the sun beat down.

Thomson was eventually dismissed for 51 when he dragged a wide delivery onto his middle stump. Nevertheless, Craig Black (22 runs) and Kevin Stump (20 runs) carried on the good work started by Thomson. Black took one risk too many in trying to take a run to an alert close fielder with Linlithgow requiring 15 runs to win. Duncan Player making his home debut, strode to the crease and saw the home side home to victory with just under 20 overs of the innings remaining.

Linlithgow won the match by 5 wickets and collected the maximum 20 points for the second time this season, Drummond Trinity gained 7 bonus points.

Next Saturday the 1st XI travel to Roseburn to take on Murrayfield DAFS in what will be a 1pm start.

Harps