Dumfries win by a whisker at Stirling

Both Dumfries sides were involved in close finishes in their league matches on Saturday.

In Western Premiership 2, the Dumfries 1st team, Vigilant Dumfries, Nunholm won by one wicket at Stirling County to remain in third place. In tricky playing conditions, Dumfries had reduced Stirling to 34 for 7 at one point thanks to opening bowlers Alan Davidson, with a 5-for, and Nairn Cubbon, with two wickets. However a not out fifty by Talukder then got the home side up to a competitive total of 124 all out.

Likewise, the Dumfries batting struggled and the team were adrift at 80 for 7, despite contributions in the twenties by Munro Cubbon, Bellwood and Beveridge. The tail then successfully supported Davidson in his all-round CMCA Accounting Player of Match performance, as he added 26 not out, and hit the winning boundary for a one wicket win in a tense finish.

In Western Championship 2, Dumfries 2nd XI, Nunholm, lost by 15 runs at home against Stenhousemuir 2nds who moved up to top spot as a result, The visitors batted first and were beholden to a score of 83 by number four Dhupar. When he was finally out caught off Finley Trigg the Nunholm bowlers managed to make more inroads to restrict the visitors to 215 all out. Spinner Sultan Kamran took three late wickets after opening bowler Trigg had taken two and junior Dashiel Trigg claimed a wicket in his first over on his debut.

Nunholm opener Mark Abnett, the Happy Faces Nursery Player of the Match with his score of 68, shared a ninety-run partnership with Cory Dawson, who hit 31, to reach a high point of 150 for 2 but the required run rate was increasing. They, and the remaining batsmen, lost wickets trying to up the pace sufficiently and Nunholm finished short on exactly 200 for the loss of 7 wickets.

In the Scotland U17 Regional Series, Dumfries juniors Nairn and Munro Cubbon and Billy Morgan collectively contributed runs and wickets when selected for the West in a loss to the East in a high scoring encounter in Edinburgh.

On Saturday, in Western Premiership Two, second play third as the Dumfries first team, third placed Vigilant Dumfries, play at home against Kilmarnock who are in second spot. And in Western Championship Two, second play fourth with Dumfries 2nd XI, Nunholm, who are in fourth place, away to second placed Mearns 2nds. Those interested in being involved in some cricket over the summer are encouraged to contact the club via www.dumfriescricketclub.com.