Croma Vigilant Dumfries Cricket Club welcomed the 2018 West Champions to Nunholm for a pre season friendly which saw Ferguslie win as Dumfries failed to chase down the total set.
Ferguslie 260/5 v Croma Vigilant Dumfries 178 all out
Ferguslie elected to bat first and Dumfries got off to a great start at Jacob Taylor on debut picked up a wicket in his second over, trapping Gregor Preston Jones LBW. The initial opening spells by Taylor and Callum Reynolds-Lewis were tight, but the Ferguslie batsmen decided to increase the pressure. A change of bowling saw Declan Brooks, also on debut force Tahir Ahmed into a big shot and Thomas McBride caught well in the deep, this was quickly followed by James Cox forcing Riyaad Henry into a false shot and he edge to Stuart Crobett-Byers behind the stumps.
It was all looking good for Dumfries, but then early season rustiness struck with a few catches going down in the field which later in the season would be easy chances. This let Scotland international Haroon Tahir exploit his opportunity and knock a quickfire 78. Dumfries bowlers were rotated and in the final 10 overs as Ferguslie tried to score quickly Callum Reynolds-Lewis and Jacob Taylor picked up a couple wickets, with Andrew Dawson taking an excellent diving catch, however Ferguslie finished with 262 for Dumfries to chase.
Dumfries’ response also had a slow start as Andrew Dawson was trapped LBW with a ball that cut in sharply. Stuart Corbett-Byers and Adam Malik stuck in with the ball moving around early on and pushed the score to 60 before Corbett-Byers was caught at mid-wicket. Adam Malik fell shortly after, and Thomas McBride and Scott Beveridge were looking solid, but for calamitous calling left McBride stranded and run out for 22. Dumfries rallied but were losing wickets at regular periods giving Ferguslie the momentum in the game, and eventually picking off the tail.
The match was a good run out for Dumfries against good opposition. Batsmen got starts, bowling was controlled, but cold hands in the field mean there is plenty to work on before Croma Vigilant Dumfries start their league campaign in May aiming to bounce straight back up to the Western Premier Division.
Dumfries 2nd XI (Nunholm) take on Cambusdoon in their opening league fixture in the Wester Premier Reserves Division on Saturday. The club operate cricket for All Stars Cricket (5-8 years), Kwik Cricket (9-11 years), Under 13, Under 15 and Sunday Development Team. If anyone is interested in cricket find out more at www.dumfriescricketclub.com or email the club at [email protected]
