In their first Saturday league outings of 2024 the two Dumfries Cricket Club sides registered wins against their counterparts from Glasgow Accies.
At Glasgow Accies, in Western Premiership 2, the Dumfries first team had a resounding 219 run win after scoring 290 for 5, and after being put in to bat. Batting at number three, South African Under-19 international Johnathan Van Zyl was instrumental in that by hitting 140 off 112 balls. He found willing partners in Chris Bellwood with 27 and Drew Dawson with 39. The scoring accelerated in the later stages with Jordan Maritz adding a run-a-ball 52 not out. Century maker Van Zyl hit 6 sixes and 8 fours before he was run out in the last over going for a second run.
Then James Hobman bowled one opener in his first over before his four wickets and three to Alan Davidson meant the opening bowlers reduced the home side to 29 for 7. Glasgow Accies were finally all out for 71 with Tommy McGrath claiming the final three wickets.
At Nunholm, in Western Championship 2, the Dumfries 2nd team beat Anniesland by 5 wickets. Ross Lamb surpassed Hobman’s four wickets on the day by taking 5 for 10 after Anniesland were well positioned at 82 for 2. Opening bowler Stuart Alexander brought back his glory years with a wicket in the first over, caught by a diving Scott Beveridge at slip. The visitors went on to score 133 all out.
The opening batters set up the win with Fergus Bainbridge scoring 25 but there was a slight wobble after Wahid Jabarkhil was bowled for a flamboyant 55. Youngster Munro Cubbon settled that with 26 not, and partnered by brother Nairn, took the Nunholm side to the 5 wicket win with both also making an all-round contribution with a wicket each earlier.
In the Eden Valley Sunday League, visitors Lanercost set a formidable total of 218 for 9 driven by a score of 102 not out by Owen Alban. That was despite youngster Cory Dawson taking 4 wickets. Liam Renou and James Cox each chipped in with two wickets as well.
Max Corbett-Byers led the response before retiring on 52. Fellow opener Wahid Jabarkhil contributed 21 and Renou, with 23, and Cox, with 36, kept hopes alive until the Dumfries side finished short on a still creditable score of 185 for 7. Player of the Match from Andrew Dawson Horticultural was Max Corbett-Byers for his not out fifty with a special mention for Liam Renou, on debut, for an enthusiastic all-round contribution.
