The combined women’s side from Dumfries CC and Galloway CC overcame the league leaders RH Corstorphine in their first Women’s Premier League match of the season on Sunday.
Skipper Orla Montgomery opted to put the visitors from Edinburgh in to bat first at Nunholm with their top order batting capable of deciding the encounter. Despite good bowling from Katy Anderson and Emma Fordyce the opening pair were taking the available runs and were quickly nearing fifty.
Then followed the two key wickets of the match. Niamh Muir trapped Levenson lbw for 20 and in her following over did the same to Patel, dismissed for 29. That brought Scotland squad player Ikra Farooq to the wicket but the local side were to have their success at the other end.
Jo Williams took a wicket stumped, with the aid of experienced Scotland player Lorna Jack behind the stumps. She was an attacking asset as she did the same off the bowling of Fiona Ramsay. RHC passed the hundred thanks to good batting from Farooq but Ramsay was on a roll and took a further two wickets and delighted in then taking a catch off Williams.
Farooq sought to control the strike to some success and kept the score moving. However Rosy Ryan came back to take two wickets and the Ramsay roll continued with another wicket stumped for a final RHC total of 132 all out and Farooq marooned on 49 not out.
Some early wickets was the objective for RHC but they were thwarted by openers Jack and Muir. The international experience of Lorna Jack was apparent as she ran hard and often to keep the score moving. The score rapdly passed fifty in the sixth over helped by the one six of the day over square leg by Jack.
The accomplished off-spin threat of Farooq was quickly brought into the attack but Muir was contributing boundaries as well. It took the introduction of Oliver offering some variety to upset the batting response. Muir was out caught and bowled off a full toss for a good innings of 33, with the score on 95, and another wicket followed. Then Jack gloved a sweep to go for 52.
However Ryan and Nicola Brown got the finish line in sight and Sue Strachan got to hit the winning runs for a six wicket win after a good team performance in the field, including from youngsters Kylie Watson and Kirstie Benson, and with valuable contributions thoughout the side in what was an enjoyable game.
For two key wickets and then a near century opening stand the Ashleigh Building Player of the Match went to Niamh Muir. The side next play Carlton in the Premier League at Gatehouse on Sunday.
RHC Women 132 all out (28.2 overs)
I Farooq 49no, R Patel 29, K Levenson 20;
F Ramsay 4/10, N Muir 2/16, J Williams 2/23, R Ryan 2/28
DumfriesCC/GallowayCC Women 134/4. (18.1 overs)
L Jack 53, N Muir 33; E Oliver 4/15
Ashleigh Building Player of the Match: Niamh Muir.
