The 2026 cricket season started at Dumfries Cricket Club on Saturday with a friendly fixture against visitors Renfrew before the start of the official league season next weekend.
Renfrew batted first and century opening partnership, of 138 runs, set up the eventual course of the match. Opener Ali Hamza hit a rapid 76 which was by a distance the highest score of the match. The Vigilant Player of the Match, spinner Callum Reynolds-Lewis, succeeded in dismissing both openers within a couple of runs. He then immediately took another, bowled by a beauty, to get the Dumfries bowlers back into the game, so much so that Renfrew went from 138 for no wicket to six down for 166. The eventual total reached by the visitors was 200 all-out with Tommy McGrath claiming three wickets and the opening bowlers, Nairn and Munro Cubbon, returning to take two wickets apiece.
However, the Dumfries batting never got going in reply, and with four wickets taken by Kumkar, the home side could only reach 73 all out with the winter rust showing.
On Sunday, a Dumfries side were able to edge a close topsy-turvy game at Galloway to be awarded the Jerry Teale Memorial Trophy for this annual fixture between the two clubs. Dumfries set a total of 158 all out to chase, with Drew Dawson, with 51 retired, and Sultan Kamran, with 44, rescuing the innings from seven wickets down and the score only in the fifties.
After losing both openers to the bowling of Lachlan Osmond, Galloway seemed to be on target having passed the hundred mark for the loss of three wickets. However, Mark Abnett, followed his earlier score of 24, with a spell of 4 wickets for just 6 runs. That set the home side back and they fell short in the end on 143 all out to conclude an entertaining encounter.
Next Saturday, Vigilant Dumfries play Helensburgh at home in Western Premiership 2 and the second team, Nunholm, are at Anniesland in Western Championship 2. Those interested in being involved in some cricket over the summer are encouraged to contact the club via www.dumfriescricketclub.com .
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Photo: The new cricket season blossomed at Dumfries Cricket Club on Saturday CreditTaral Khasiya
Photo: Galloway Chairman John Dougan hands over the Jerry Teale Memorial Trophy to Dumfries Captain, Drew Dawson. Credit: Galloway CC
Photo: Galloway and Dumfries cricket sides contested the Jerry Teale Memorial Match on Sunday Credit: Galloway CC
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