On Saturday past, RWS Forestry St. Michael’s Cricket Club 1st Xl entertained third placed West of Scotland at Kingholm Park in the last Western Union Division One league match of the season.
Saints produced probably their poorest display of the league campaign in this match losing comprehensively by 167 runs. Their preparations for the match were disrupted with the loss of influential Australian all rounder Kyle Jordan who sustained a double fracture of the thumb during one of the midweek practices, and this affected the balance of the bowling attack and one less run scoring batsman.
West of Scotland batted first on a slow pitch, and showed Saints how to accumulate a total with all the batsmen making contributions playing around overseas opener McLachlan who scored 77.
The away side scored 227 for 8 in 50 overs, the largest total conceded by RWS Forestry St. Michael’s all season. Once again Chris Brockwell was the best home bowler on display taking three wickets for 38 runs. The other wicket takers were Ross Lamb with three and Tom Holmes with one. The other wicket to fall was a sharp run out by Chris Lumb, who also took a brilliant diving catch. Unfortunately, he injured his wrist making another fine stop, was whisked off to Outpatients and took no further part in the match.
In reply Saints started positively with 40 on the board for 0 wickets after ten overs. However, this quickly became 60 all out in 22 overs, with only opener Ethan Lulham with a positive 33 reaching double figures.
This season the bowling and fielding has been of a really high standard, but the batting has been the team’s achilles heel at crucial times, with only the same few players scoring consistently, and if the side hope to aspire to a top three or four place next season this aspect of the game has to be worked upon and improved.
However under the positive captaincy of Tom Holmes – whose own game has thrived with this responsibility – the team has improved leaps and bounds from last season where only one win was achieved compared to this season’s seven and a 6th place position, which would have been grabbed with both hands before the season commenced.
The match ball was kindly provided by Ian Dalling Wealth Management.
West of Scotland CC: 227 for 8. B. McLachlan 77. J. Woodhouse 4-0-17-1, T. Holmes 14-2-61-1, A. Hulatt 11-1-50-0, C. Brockwell 10-0-38-3, R. Lamb 11-1-61-3.
RWS Forestry St. Michael’s CC: 60. E. Lulham 33.
In the reserve fixture, A C Guitars Kingholms’ last match of the season was a tough one away to Western Union Reserve league One leaders Partick, who they had defeated at Kingholm Park earlier in the season.
A combination of a team thirsting for revenge and aiming to win the league, and a completely before par performance by the away team meant there was only one winner; Partick in a stroll by 9 wickets.
A C Guitars Kingholm were hustled out for 61 in 28 overs. If it hadn’t been for an eighth wicket partnership of 23 between Raj Shyam and Levi White who top scored with 13, it would have been even more embarrassing.
Partick rattled up the runs in 10 overs with Tanzeel Ur Rehman picking up the solitary wicket to fall.
It was unfortunate Saints 2nd string left their poorest display of the season to the last match, because over the course of the league campaign they competed well – not losing a home match – and finishing in a comfortable middle of the league position.
Considering the number of youngsters that were blooded into the side and who became regular team members, season 2016 can be regarded as successful with the future of the club looking particularly bright.
The match ball which will be able to be used for the first match of next season was generously provided by Ian Dalling Wealth Management.
A C Guitars Kingholm: 61 all out. L. White 13, D. Fallas 10.
Partick: 67 for 1. T. Ur Rehman 5-2-12-1.
If anyone fancies a game next season, St. Michael’s Cricket Club are always on the lookout for new players.
To suit all abilities they run two Saturday sides, one Sunday side which plays friendlies, and one mid-week side which plays in the local T20 league.
Senior cricket sessions take place on Tuesday and Friday evenings at Kingholm Park, Kingholm Road, Dumfries 6-8pm, while the junior practice evening is Monday 6-8pm at the same venue under the auspices of Saints local and Australian coaches.
