Ahmed Ali continued his incredible form to help guide Livingston First XI to victory in their East of Scotland Cricket Association Division One clash at Kelso.
Having hit back-to-back unbeaten centuries, the skipper knocked 85 as Livi scored 210-6. Opener Farooq Muhammad bagged himself 62 runs as the pair scored the majority of the away side’s runs.
In reply, Livingston got off to a brilliant start in picking up three early wickets before Kelso hit back. Tendai Chisoro being run out on 99 was the turning point with the lower order then collapsing as Livingston secured a nervy two-run victory which sees them jump into fifth place in the table.
The club’s Second XI also put in a decent bowling display to limit Penicuik to just 144-8 in 40 overs but were unable to chase down the target as they were bowled all out for 119.
Umair Khan was the pick of the Livi bowlers with 2-13 from eight overs but they let Penicuik off the hook after reducing them to 56-5.
A solid start saw them make inroads into the target but they would fall from 77-1 to 119 all out to end up 25 runs short. Openers Anil Kumar Kurra (26) and Jim Wilson (22) had Livi on their way but it all fell apart once both were dismissed.
In Division Seven, the club’s new Third XI have made steady progression all season and they won a nail-biter against Bass Rock Second XI by a single run.
Srikar Boggla (67) and Cam McDill (40) led the way as Livi batted first, scoring 175-9 from their 40 overs.
In reply, Bass Rock looked well set thanks to scores of 66 from Matthew Fraser and 44 from the bat of Chris Long but a blistering bowling display of 4-13 from Abinav Singla proved the turning point as Livi held on for victory by the narrowest of margins.
While Livingston can be pleased with their efforts thanks to a pair of wins from three matches, the same can’t be said for Linlithgow as both the club’s sides suffered defeats.
The First XI went down by 17 runs against Heriots Second XI in an East Championship clash.
Normally solid with the ball and stuttering with the bat, it was roles reversed for Linlithgow last weekend as Heriots scored 252-9 from their 50 overs.
Gregor Thomson with 3-34 from his 10 overs was the pick of the bowlers for the away side.
In response, Linlithgow batted admirably but fell short as they were bowled all out for 235 with seven balls remaining.
Craig Black knocked a brilliant 75 with solid additions to the scorecard by Joe Robinson (47) and Thomson (35).
The Second XI were comfortably beaten, going down by 45 runs at home to Edinburgh University Staff in a Division Four clash.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 225 runs from 40 overs. The pick of the bowlers was youngster David Burns with two wickets for 41 runs in his eight overs.
In response, Linlithgow were bowled all out for a disappointing 180 in 39.5 overs. Top scorers were Adam Blumski and Jamie Szkudlarek who both scored 36 runs.
This weekend, Linlithgow’s First XI host Carlton Second XI while the club’s second stringers are away to Royal High Corstorphine Third XI.
Livingston’s top team host Drummond Trinity with the Second XI taking on Morton Second XI away from home. Livi’s Third XI play at home to Murrayfield Fourth XI on Sunday.
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