MUSSELBURGH Cricket Club fell to a first defeat of the new season, despite the efforts of their opening batsmen.

On a grass pitch at Myreside, Burgh won the toss and elected to bowl first.

Although home opener Cockburn made 39 before he returned to the pavilion, Burgh were still in the mix.

The first wicket brought Ramani to the crease, though, and he was the star of the show as his imperious 79 not out handed the advantage to the hosts.

After the second wicket fell, Watsonians were helped to 210 all out thanks to 30 by Sands and 20 by Pratt – both batting down the order.

In reply, Burgh made a wonderful start, as openers Verma and Solanki made 78 and 48 respectively before they fell.

But when the county side’s openers returned to the Myreside pavilion, the game was as good as over, with only one more Musselburgh batsmen registering a score in double figures.

Devraj’s defiant 25 nearly took Burgh home, but their tail was unable to stay with him as they fell to an agonising 10-run defeat.

Burgh will rue a missed opportunity, and return to Lewisvale hoping to inflict a first league loss of the campaign on RHC 2nds.

The Edinburgh side are one place above Burgh, in second in ESCA Division 1, and beat Edinburgh Accies by seven wickets in their weekend outing.