On Saturday Linlithgow travelled into Edinburgh to take on undefeated Murrayfield DAFS at Roseburn Park. Linlithgow won the toss and elected to bat first on a wicket that looked likely to offer something for bowlers and batsmen alike. Regular openers Dougie Voas and Gregor Thomson provided a positive start, taking 47 runs from the first 14 overs.

Thomson was then bowled by one that kept unexpectedly low for 16 runs and Voas soon joined his opening partner in the pavilion, also bowled, for 40 runs. Three further wickets fell in quick succession leaving the visitors looking rather precarious at 65 for 5 wickets after 20 overs. Alastair Napoli and Clinton Dixon then batted well and pushed the score along to 100 before Dixon was dismissed for 15. Napoli was joined at the crease by Andrew Raven and the pair continued to bat positively, moving the score along to 127 before Napoli’s fine innings was brought to an end on 30 whilst attempting another big shot over the top.

Andrew Raven (19 runs) was joined at the crease by his brother, Grant (13 runs) and together they took the visitors along to 158 before Andrew became the next to be bowled on a pitch that was becoming increasingly difficult as the bounce grew unpredictable. Linlithgow finished all out for what seemed a quite respectable total of 167 from 41 overs.

In reply, and thanks largely to some very tight bowling, the DAFS innings never really got going. Gregor Thomson took 3 wickets for 7 runs from 6 overs and Duncan Heslop was very unlucky to get only one wicket for 15 from his 7 overs. Clinton Dixon (9 overs 2 wickets for 16 runs) and Jordan Hamilton (8 overs 0 wickets for 23 runs) continued to starve the home side of scoring opportunities which left the door open for Grant Raven to come in and take 4 wickets for just 10 runs from 7 overs late on in the innings. DAFS were eventually all out for 88 after 37 overs. Linlithgow collected the maximum 20 points from the match, with DAFS gaining 5 bonus points.

Next weekend Linlithgow 1st X1 face the prospect of a double-header at Boghall. On Saturday they face high-flying Watsonians 2’s in the East League Division 1, while on Sunday they take on Dundee HSFP in the Challenge Cup. Both matches are due to start at 1pm.