Peebles County Cricket Club

ESCA Division 8, Match 5: Watsonians 4 Vs Peebles CCC, Saturday 24th May 2025

Last Saturday Peebles County Cricket Club travelled to Craiglockhart to take on Watsonians 4 in ESCA div 8.

The weather was set to change as Pete Caddick lost the toss and County took to the field, not too disappointed with a stiff breeze and plenty of cloud cover. Mehul Prajapati (1-26) and Sravan Parakkattu (2-17) reduced Watsonians to 38-3 as County fielded well on a fast outfield. Niall Burns (3-20) and Aarad Ajmal (4-14) then worked their way through the batters, supported by catches from Parakkattu (3) and Ian Revell. Another tidy wicket keeping performance from Gary Walsh and a couple of close run outs saw Watsonians dismissed for 78 runs inside 28 overs before tea was taken on the pavilion steps on one of the most picturesque Edinburgh grounds.

A small total would still require some application as Kevin Bunten (3) and Caddick (24*) opened the innings followed by Parakkattu ( 8) striking a couple of delightful square boundaries. James Boyle (11) took the score to 73 before Rev (2*) hit the winning run and a victory for Peebles by 7 wickets maintaining progress near the top of the table. Boyle provided a new level of entertainment spending more time on his ‘behind’ and bringing out the ‘reverse’ for a champagne moment.

Burns continues to learn from the ESCA leading wicket taker Ajmal, both leading the bowling unit. Pete Walker and Lawrence Dritsas kept the fielding tight and a satisfying win for County.

Player of the match to Ajmal for 8 overs, 1 maiden, four for fourteen. Peebles are sponsored by Sully’s Fish, Chips and Pizzeria with junior, senior and ladies training advertised on club social media. Having survived threatening clouds County hit the road over the hills tae Peebles preparing for Saturday’s visit of RH Corstorphine.