In a crucial match for Musselburgh CC, fighting to avoid relegation, they faced off against Boroughmuir CC at the picturesque Meggetland Sports Complex. Boroughmuir won the toss and chose to bowl first, setting the stage for a gripping encounter.

**First Innings: Musselburgh's Determined Batting**

Musselburgh's captain, Matt Boyd, opened the batting alongside Bhargav, aiming to lay a solid foundation. They faced a challenging start against the swinging deliveries of Boroughmuir's Hassan Durrani (left-arm) and Infant Wilfred (right-arm). Despite the initial pressure, Matt Boyd capitalized on some loose balls, dispatching them to the boundary with well-timed strokes.

Bhargav soon found his rhythm, and the opening partnership started to flourish. By the time Matt fell for a well-played 27, Musselburgh were 53 off 12 overs, and in a strong position. Bhargav (21) followed shortly after, with the score at 70. Then came the fireworks as Sri Ramachandrappa and Masood Alam took the stage.

Sri played a majestic innings, scoring 80 runs with a blend of aggression and finesse, pushing the total to 165. Masood Alam then continued the onslaught, reaching a quick 50 before adding a few more runs to his tally. Musselburgh's innings concluded at 40 overs without losing another wicket, with Dave Peel contributing 13 runs. Boroughmuir's Colin Siller was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 40 runs, while Shahmir Khan chipped in with 1 wicket for 22.

**Second Innings: Boroughmuir's Chase Falls Short**

After the break, Musselburgh’s fielding efforts were delayed as Sri and Bhargav were discovered enjoying a snack in the car park, a light-hearted moment that briefly interrupted proceedings. Once they returned, the game resumed, and Musselburgh’s opening bowlers, Matt Boyd and Dale Mlangeni, applied immediate pressure. After 10 overs, Boroughmuir was struggling at 36 for 1.

The introduction of Masood Alam and Sri Ramachandrappa proved decisive. Sri, continuing his stellar all-round performance, claimed 3 quick wickets for 25 runs off his 6 overs, leaving Boroughmuir reeling. With the tail exposed, Dave Peel and Prakash came in to finish the job, both swinging the ball effectively. Dave Peel ended with 3 wickets for 10 runs, while Prakash matched him with 3 wickets for 7 runs.

Boroughmuir's batting lineup couldn't withstand the disciplined bowling attack and were bowled out, handing Musselburgh a comprehensive victory by 102 runs. This crucial win not only boosted their morale but also kept their Division 6 survival hopes alive.

**Summary**

Musselburgh's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, led by standout performances from Sri Ramachandrappa and Masood Alam. Their all-round contributions, combined with a solid team effort, ensured a much-needed win, highlighting the spirit and fight within the team as they continue their battle
against relegation.

Man of the Match: Sri Ramachandrappa