ESCA Week 8 match reports

As the famous Yankees’ catcher Yogi Berra put it, “it's déjà vu all over again”, as the Firsts and Thirds pick up good wins, and the Seconds are on the wrong end of the scoreline.

The Firsts made the trip to Hawick, won the toss and elected to bowl. That looked like an excellent decision as they skittled the hosts out for 89 in 30.4 overs. Excellent bowling from everyone, but the pick was Ashok Rajappan with a stunning 5 for 14 from 8 overs. In response the Firsts knocked it off for the loss of only 3 wickets, being led home by an unbeaten 54 from Gajander Singh.

Tougher going for the Seconds at Meggetland, where Dunnikier made a challenging 286 in the first inning, for the loss of 8 wickets. Chasing that down was always going to be a reach, and it wasn’t helped by losing early wickets. That they recovered from 18/5 to get to an eventual 94 was due to a solid 36 from Jamie Good. The Seconds will hope for better at Holy Cross next week.

The Thirds had the joy of a trip to The Meadows where they took on Marchmont 5. In a first inning that ebbed and flowed, the visitors recovered from the loss of early wickets to a respectable 61 for 2 just before drinks before something of a collapse. That collapse was started by a lovely piece of bowling from Ed Hutchinson, before a superb caught and bowled by Hassan Rizwan. From there on it was really the Rizwan Show, as he became the first Thirds player to make the honours board, eventually finishing off his five-for with the second last ball of his 8 overs. Marchmont losing their last 7 wickets for 9 runs.

In response the Thirds built steadily to 50 for 2, backstopped by a fine innings from Ed Hutchinson, before the inevitable Meadows collapse kicked in and they squeaked over the line for a two-wicket victory.