All last weekends news from Dumfries Cricket Club
Saturday
SUNNY DELIGHT FOR DUMFRIES
Greenock 192 all out v Croma Vigilant Dumfries 194-6
The second half of the season got off to the best possible start as Croma Vigilant Dumfries took all the points from the match against Greenock to move themselves off the bottom of the table in the Western Premier League.
Dumfries won the toss and elected to bowl which surprised the visiting team. The decision was justified as paceman Jesse Smit bowled excellent lines and picked up two early wickets. The opening bowling partnership with Niall Alexander was putting real pressure on the Greenock batsmen. It was a bowling change that made the next breakthrough as Alan Davidson forced the Greenock overseas amateur to edge behind to the safe hands of Stuart Corbett-Byers. Skipper Christopher McCutcheon bought himself into the attack to pick up 3 wickets. Greenock CCs overseas pro was beginning to score freely and was proving to be the resistance to the Dumfries bowling attack. However it was the return of Alan Davidson to the attack which forced him to play aerial and into the safe hands of Andrew Mascall. Spininer Jeremy got into the action and picked up a wicket before Christopher Bellwood was sharp in the field to run out the final batsman to leave Greenock on 192.
Dumfries started to believe victory was there for the taking, but the usual solid opening pair of Dawson and Bellwood failed to establish themselves in the match. South African Smit can to the crease in conditions which are rapidly getting closer to his homeland in Durban, and he was confident with the bat and stroked the ball around Nunholm park. Mascall was an able partner and when he was dismissed for 40 runs, a mini collapse occurred, but Davidson joined Smit. Smit passed his 50 and was the leading light for the Dumfries batting lineup. When Davidson was bowled for 28, keeper Corbett-byers (fresh from 4 catches and 1 stumping) was able to support Smit and secure 25 point for Croma Vigilant Dumfries. Smit finished on 73 not out.
Jesse Smit was the Nith Valley Cleaning Services Man of the Match
RUNS A PLENTY IN NUNHOLM DERBY
St Michaels 1st XI 240 all out v Nunholm (Dumfries 2nd XI) 201 all out
Nunholm took the short journey across Dumfries to take on St Michaels and it was the home team that took the spoils.
Nunholm, Dumfries Cricket Club second team, were up against a strong St Michaels team featuring two overseas players. It was a nasty toss to lose as Nunholm were placed straight into the field and the heat meant lots of sun cream was applied to the Nunholm players. Danny Armstrong and Callum Reynolds-Lewis opened the bowling and the tight spell saw the St Michaels player having to defend well. It was the bowling change just before drinks that saw Brockwell chip a Huxtable delivery to square leg. Cameron Telfer came on at drinks and bowled a tight spell and picked up Lamb and then dismissed overseas big hitter Niemand. Juan Martins was batting well for St Michaels and he guided the Saints team through the innings. Nunholm were able to pick up wickets regularly in the final third of the match, however when Martins was eventually dismissed for a well player 64 by Sam Thornely getting him to edge to the ageless David Davidson the score was over 200. Danny Armstrong and James Cox dealt with the tail quickly and Saints finished on 240.
Nunholms reply was off to a solid start, but when Adam Malik was dismissed, Reed was then dismissed with a brilliant catch from Niemands and Cox fell shortly after and Nunholm were in a spot of bother 35 for 3. David Davidson and Danny Armstrong rebuilt the innings and St Michaels eventually turned to spin to make a break through. Niemand got through Armstrongs defence and bought Telfer to the wicket. He and Davidson were able to score freely and the chance of victory was still very much possible. It was when Telfer was dismissed by Tom Holmes with a beauty of a deliver that the run rate began to slow and Nunholm chances of victory dissaperer, and the focus change to bonus points. Adam Elliott came in late and with a mixture of textbook and creative shots took the Nunholm score above 200 to gain the 5 bonus points. A good performance by Nunholm who once again batted the 50 overs and each week are showing improvements.
Sunday
Summer Stroll for Sunday XI
Penrith 161 all out v Croma Vigilant Dumfries Sunday XI 164 – 1
Dumfries were in action in the Eden Valley Cricket League and were comfortable winners against Penrith.
Dumfries lost the toss and were put into the field on another scorching day. Callum Reynolds-Lewis opened the bowling and made an immediate breakthrough forcing the batsman to sky the ball to mid on and although two players called for the ball, both went for it, a heap on the ground ensued, with Tony Reid holding the ball aloft to take a good catch. Hyder Hussain opening from the other end dismissed the left handed Parker knocking over his stumps and Dumfries were immediately on top in the match. The first change bought Rory Thornley to the action and whilst he had an edge dropped by keeper, tight lines meant another edge fell into slips hands moments later . Dalton and Burger were a solid pair and worked the Dumfries bowlers around, along with an expensive over from Reed. It was Max Corbett-byers who then made some quick breakthroughs with 3 wickets in 3 overs to leave Penrith 6 wickets down and the score still under 100. Some hard hitting did push the Penrith score up and wickets from Reed, Hussain and Armstrong saw Penriths innings come to a close for 161. A mention should go for Luke McBurnie, whose spell was very good and with a little extra luck would have picked up a couple in his very economical spell.
Adam Malik and Tony Reid were sent in to start the Dumfries reply, unfortunately Tony Reid was caught trying to clear the infield and Sean Thornley was into the action a little earlier than expected. Adam Malik after a steady start began to take a liking to the bowling and showed an array of shots making it hard for Penrith to plug the gaps. Adam Malik was called in by the skipper after making his well deserved 50. Danny Armstrong and Sean Thornley continued to torment the Penrith bowling attack with shots all around the ground. Penrith could not find and answer and as the Dumfries progressed beyond the target, neither batsman was out. Danny Armstrong finishing on 49 not out and Sean Thornley 45 not out. A good game, played in the right spirit and Dumfries look forward to continuing their performances in the second half of the season.
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