A youthful Gala/Hawick Development side put in an excellent performance at Penicuik 2nds only to fall to a two wicket loss.

The team contained nine players under 20 years of age but pushed their hosts all the way at Kirkhill.

Batting first, Alex Hastings made an excellent half century to get Gala/Hawick up to a total of 120 all out, with Stuart Skeldon adding 20 and John Purves – on his first game of cricket for over 20 years – scored 18. Walter took 3 for 11 for Penicuik.

Penicuik looked set for a comfortable win as first team player Murray got them off to a flyer but Gala/Hawick claimed regular wickets to set up a tight finale before Airey (30 not out) got the hosts over the line.

Liam Skeldon claimed two wickets, while Robbie Paterson, Maisie Maciera, Fergus Hastings and Finlay Skeldon took a wicket each.

Special mention to 12th ‘man’ Murray Purves who turned out for the first time for the development team alongside his dad.

Gala/Hawick

J. Boyle ct F. Ingram b R. Airey 3

A. Hastings b P. Kingsbury 54

J. Bell b F. Ingram 0

R. Paterson b R. Airey 6

J. Purves lbw b G. Ingram 18

L. Skeldon run out (R. Docherty) 1

C. Fernandes b G. Ingram 0

S. Skeldon not out 20

F. Hastings b S. Walter 0

M. Maciera b S. Walter 3

F. Skeldon b S. Walter 0

Extras – 15

Total – 120 for ten wickets

F. Ingram 5-1-17-1; R. Airey 8-1-12-2; B. Gray 1-0-1-0; P. Kingsbury 8-1-28-1; H. Murray 5-0-16-0; G. Ingram 2-0-6-2; R. Docherty 2-0-11-0; S. Walter 3-0-11-3.

Penicuik 2nds

D. Ainslie lbw L. Skeldon 18

H. Murray b R. Paterson 44

J. Leslie ct J. Bell b L. Skeldon 13

P. Kingsbury lbw M. Maceira 8

R. Airey not out 30

S. Walter b R. Paterson 3

G. Ingram b S. Skeldon 1

F. Ingram run out (A. Hastings) 0

H. Fisken ct J. Bell b F. Skeldon 0

B. Gray not out 0

Extras – 11

A. Hastings 3.1-0-33-0; L. Skeldon 8-0-41-2; R. Paterson 4-0-16-1; F. Hastings 4-0-8-1; M. Maceira 4-2-5-1; J. Boyle 2-0-13-0; F. Skeldon 3-0-4-1.