County teams grab vital wins
Linlithgow and Fauldhouse secure victories
West Lothian’s top two teams scored crucial victories at the weekend as Linlithgow and Fauldhouse both grabbed maximum points.
While Division One outfit Linlithgow needed the points to help their relegation survival bid, Fauldhouse remain very much in the promotion race in Division Two as the season enters the final few weeks.
Linlithgow batted first in their match away to Edinburgh Accies and the odds seemed to be very much against them as they were only able to score 166-6 from their 50 overs.
However, a fine bowling performance saw them claim just their third league victory of the season as they were able to bowl the hosts all out for 123 in the 44th over to seal a 43 run win.
Fauldhouse, meanwhile, will be delighted that their Eastfield ground passed an early morning inspection as they eased to a six wicket win at home to RHC Second XI and climbed into fourth place in the process.
The visitors were put into bat after losing the toss and Franny Mahon’s decision instantly proved to be the right one as the home bowling attack took early wickets.
Daniel Law took the first wicket in the third over before later grabbing wickets in consecutive balls to reduce RHC to 5-3. He would finish with figures of 8-2-12-4.
RHC did recover, to a degree, but were eventually skittled out for 91 in the 40th over. James Abey recorded his best figures as he took two wickets for just 12 runs.
Hoping for a solid start in their reply, Mark Hilson was dismissed before a run was on the board after he misjudged a delivery and looped a soft catch to cover.
Ricky McDonald joined Taj Islam and they were able to steady the ship, taking the score to 49 before McDonald fell for 23.
The visitors then looked to have dragged themselves back into the contest as they clinched two more wickets to have Fauldhouse sitting nervously on 55-4 after 23 overs.
As quickly as the game seemed to be back on, the hosts took it away as Steven Connell and captain Mahon needed just 18 deliveries to add the 37 runs needed for victory.
Mahon finished unbeaten on 21 with Connell adding 16 as Fauldhouse jumped above their opponents in the table.
Elsewhere, Linlithgow’s Second XI suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Drummond Trinity in Division Three as once again their batting was less than impressive.
Holding Trinity to 166- 8 from 40 overs appeared a decent achievement by the bowlers, but in reply, the home side were all out for a measly 42 as they fell to a 124 run defeat.
Livingston saw both of their fixtures cancelled due to the weather.
The club’s First XI were scheduled to travel to Largo with the Second XI entertaining Teuchters in a Division Six fixture, but the Scottish weather proved to be the winner.