The cricket season continued in earnest at the weekend as sides across the county faced mixed fortunes on the field.

Haddington’s exemplary start to the season was dealt a tough blow after a falling to a seven-wicket defeat to a solid Marchmont 2s side. The Goats batted first but were swiftly put under pressure by the strong bowling of the Marchmont side. Hoddinott and Cruickshank put up 11 and 10 respectively but faced mighty pressure, while Sale notched 26 for the visitors but they were struggling to break down an excellent fielding display. The side would eventually be all out for 90, a low total following the successes of previous weeks.

In response Marchmont started strong, their openers notching up 62 alone and putting significant pressure on Haddington with some excellent strokes. Macdonald was unfortunate, bowling well with decisions not going his way as Marchmont added more runs to the tally. Kumar put in another solid display taking two LBW’s in an admirable performance, but he was only holding off the inevitable. In 24 overs Marchmont would reach their target of 91 ending The Goats 100 per cent start.

Haddington now lie 6th in the ESCA Division Three and will welcome bottom of the table Melrose to Neilson Park this weekend.

In the other county fixture in the division Tranent and Preston Village won by 23 runs against Selkirk as they put in an excellent performance down in the Borders. Amar Ganti’s 54 not-out and Chirag Patel’s four wickets standing out as they got back to winning ways. They welcome Marchmont 2’s to Meadowmill this weekend.

In ESCA Division Four, Dunbar slipped to a second loss of the season, losing by 66 runs to Linlithgow.

Dunbar won the toss and elected to field starting off strong with Gokul Mariappan taking three wickets in the opening eight overs. Rob Miller and Vir Sharma chipped in with three more between them as Linlithgow were reeling on 43/6.

But the West Lothian side battled back and with Thomson and Duvvuri wrestling back control with a 101-run partnership. Linlithgow went into lunch on 162 runs giving the Dunbar lads a tough target to chase.

Dunbar started off steadily but faced a tough time getting runs on the board thanks to tight bowling by Duvvuri, Blumski and Thomson. Scoring 28 runs before the first wicket fell, Dunbar were in good position to challenge the Linlithgow total until two quick wickets left the side struggling on 30-3 with 14 overs played.

Mariappan came out to try steady the ship, hitting three boundaries in quick succession but he was soon caught by an excellent catch by the Linlithgow wicket keeper. Dunbar would reach a spirited 96 but it would not be enough to topple Linlithgow.

This weekend Dunbar head to Edinburgh to face Royal High Corstorphine thirds hoping to get back to winning ways against a side in similar form.

In ESCA Division Five, Bass Rock maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a great win over Dunnikier seconds as they once again notched up a large total.

The North Berwick side batted first, with George Salmond leading off with an incredible 130 run display that helped put the team in commanding position.

Dudley Milne and youngster Aaron Weatherhead also put in some solid displays as they topped up the tally to reach 289 in 40 overs with only four wickets falling.

Dunnikier responded well with Khan, Naeem and Abbas notching solid totals, but Bass Rock’s bowling and fielding withheld the home-side's pressure. Their spirited 144 not enough to challenge the North Berwick side’s excellent display.

Bass Rock will now welcome second-bottom Stewart Melville’s thirds to North Berwick at the weekend.

In ESCA Division one Musselburgh headed into second in the table, defeating Murrayfield DAFS by 28 runs.

They head to Clackmannan County in Alloa hoping to extend their winning form this weekend.