West Lothian cricketers have challenging weekend with just one win from five fixtures

West Lothian’s cricket teams picked up just one win from five matches last weekend – with both Linlithgow First XI and Second XI suffering their first defeats of the season.

Linlithgow’s top team have had a brilliant start to their first East Championship campaign in eight years, but were edged out by table-topping Heriots Second XI on Saturday.

The visitors chose to bat first and put on a reasonable 174 all out in their 50 overs. Gregor Thomson’s 3-19 were the best figures for the Linlithgow bowlers.

In reply, Thomson and Rory Saunders shared a 49-run opening partnership before the latter was out LBW. The home innings meandered along until the game-defining moment as Heriots skipper Ali Farooq bagged a hat-trick in a spell of 5-17 from nine overs.

Craig Black offered some resistance but when he was dismissed for 49, the home side’s chances went with it and they were eventually all out for 144, losing by 30 runs but getting seven bonus points.

The club’s depleted Second XI were in Division Four action and were edged out by 11 runs against Edinburgh University Staff.

The hosts tallied 176 all out in their 40 overs, with youngster Zac Davies taking a brilliant 5-12. In reply, Alan Whitton tried his best to lead Linlithgow to victory as he carried his bat for 59, but the away side fell short, dismissed for 165.

On Saturday, Linlithgow First XI travel to Carlton Second XI, while the club’s Second XI host Haddington.

Livingston didn’t fare much better but they were at least able to win one of their three matches.

The First XI jumped into fourth place in the Division One table thanks to a 23-run home win over Kelso. Batting first, Livi recovered well from 46-4 as knocks from Omais Altaf (59) and Adnan Ali (44 not out) helped