Hawick & Wilton make winning cricketing start

After last week’s rain, only the use of the pitch covers allowed the game to go ahead, reports Bruce Mactaggart.

With Hawick batting first, Murrayfield DAFS opening bowlers kept it tight and finally got their breakthrough in the 8th over, with Gary Alexander being bowled with the score only on five.

Youngster Justin Tait suffered the same fate in the next over, quickly followed by Phil Mactaggart, nicking one to the slips in the same over.

Cobus Huisamen and Evan Alexander steadied the innings getting to 44 in the 17th over. The visitors continued to pick off batsmen without any real problem, although Huisamen was punishing most bad balls, finishing on a commendable 83, including four sixes and seven fours.

Gareth Welsh came in at 10 and was the only other batsman to reach double figures, with 17 not out at the end of the 40 overs, leaving the visitors requiring 139 to secure victory.

Hawick opening bowlers Ryan Johnston and Stuart Hair took care of the visitors’ first four batsmen for 17 runs. This included a fine diving catch at mid-off for Justin Tait.

Gary Alexander came into the attack and piled pressure on the visiting batsmen, finishing with three wickets for only five runs.

L. Towns kept the home team interested and batted for over an hour for 11 runs and a long, 10-over, last wicket stand. Spinner Phil Mactaggart broke the deadlock in his first over and this ended the innings in the 33rd over for a total of 42.

It was a fine home win by 96 runs for a youthful-looking team. This weekend sees Marchmont coming to Buccleuch Park and will also feature the new flood wall finally being erected on the hosts’ ground.