Linlithgow playing leapfrog at Boghall

On Saturday Linlithgow faced unbeaten table-toppers Penicuik at Boghall in a crunch league encounter. The visitors won the toss and asked Linlithgow to bat first on what looked a fine wicket bathed in warm sunshine.

The Linlithgow openers, Dougie Voas and Gregor Thomson, made a great start to the innings with a 71-run opening stand before Thomson was dismissed to a soft catch for 32 by S. Charleson. Callum Martin joined Voas and the new pair continued to play in the same positive manner until Martin was unlucky to be caught for 14 chasing a wide delivery.

At this point, Craig Black came to the crease and supported Voas as he stroked the surprisingly erratic Penicuik bowling to all parts of the ground. He made 65 before being adjudged LBW to F. Tait. This spurred Black to take over over the mantle of marshalling proceedings. In so doing he carried his bat to the end of the innings finishing with a superb 76 not out. Rory Saunders, 19 runs, Duncan Heslop, 18 and Rory Martin, 13 all provided good supporting cameo innings as Linlithgow finished with an impressive 291 for 6 wickets from their 45 overs.

In reply the Penicuik innings never really got going. Only the free-scoring Davidson offered real resistance as he struck a well made 64 before being caught by Andrew Wallace off the bowling of Paul Brookes. The impressive Brookes finished as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 9 overs, 4 wickets for 20 runs. Mention should also be made of the Linlithgow fielding which was quite exceptional. On a fast outfield many boundaries were prevented and all ten wickets fell to catches. Penicuik were bowled out for just 111 runs after 28 overs.

Linlithgow collected the maximum 20 points and replaced Penicuik at the top of the East League Division 1. Penicuik collected 5 bonus points from the match.