Last Saturday A C Guitars Kingholm (St. Michael’s 2nd Xl) travelled to Larbert to play Tryst (Stenhousemuir 2nds).
On viewing the green surface with an inch of grass on it where the stumps were placed, the away team were pondering whether the home team’s lawnmower had also been misappropriated during the week. Skipper for the day Derek Heron on winning the toss immediately put the home team into bat hoping that the pitch played how it looked.
During the team huddle before the start of the game, congratulations and a round of applause was given to 14 year old Ronan Wilson for deservedly making his first senior appearance for the club.
The Tryst started positively putting bat to ball and thirty was on the scoreboard quickly before the first wicket fell to opening bowler Heron having C. Halcrow caught at cover point by the sure hands of Mike Lumb. Tryst’s second wicket fell the very next ball when Heron deceived fellow opener K. Simpson in the flight and was bowled.
Tanzeel Ur Rehman operating in tandem with Heron, bowled his usual economical spell and took the third wicket to fall. Heron finished a good spell of bowling taking his third wicket and the team’s fourth, Raj Shyam pocketing the catch on offer at mid on.
With the pitch starting to show a few of the expected demons of variable bounce, change bowlers Daniel Veitch and Shyam licked their lips and put the ball in the right places taking the last 6 wickets to fall. Veitch claimed four wickets, his most consistent and best bowling spell of the season, and arguably his best spell for the club so far. Shyam using the wind to aid his inswing bowling claimed the other two Tryst wickets.
The Tryst finished 92 all out in 38overs; A C Guitars definitely accomplishing their best fielding and bowling display so far in this league campaign. Mention must be made of wicket-keeper Matty Moss who produced a polished display miraculously only conceding one bye, on a pitch where the ball either kept at ankle or head height. Ronan Wilson fielded both competently and enthusiastically throughout the innings also.
In reply, the away side knew there was serious concentration and batting technique required to achieve their first away win of the season.
Openers Heron and Lumb got the away team off to a good start, taking some quick singles with good running between the wickets and Lumb playing some exquisite late cuts. The opening partnership had accumulated 38 runs before the first wicket of Heron fell for 15, deceived by a sharp inswinging yorker.
Lumb was batting confidently, but 38 for 1 quickly became 69 for 4, with Rehman (12), Moss (1), and Sharma (1) all back in the pavilion.
Lumb was joined by 15 year old Reece McNay and the pair scored the 24 runs needed for victory, with McNay coping with the pressure admirably and producing a couple of classy cover drives in his 15 not out, supporting the reliable Lumb who walked off the field having scored a gutsy and invaluable 32 not out.
Man of the match award which was sponsored by True Wealth Potential was a close run contest with several players in the frame. Mike Lumb was a definite candidate for his opening batting effort, however, it was agreed that it would be jointly awarded to Daniel Veitch for his best bowling spell for the club, and to Ronan Wilson for an enthusiastic and mature debut in 50 over cricket.
This coming Saturday A C Guitars Kingholm are at home to Dean Park (Renfrew 2nds) at Kingholm Park, 12pm start.
The club are always on the lookout for new players regardless of age or ability. Training nights are Mondays for youngsters (6-16) 6pm to 8pm, and seniors on Tuesdays and Fridays same hours at Kingholm Park, Kingholm Road, Dumfries DG1 4SA. As well as local ECB qualified coaches facilitating these sessions, Juan Henri Martins from South Africa is the overseas coach this summer and can arrange private cricket coaching sessions at the ground throughout the school holidays.
Further information about the club can be obtained from club chairman Sandy McNay at 01387 710713.
The Tryst: 92 all out. C. Moses 29. T. Ur Rehman 10-2-28-1, D. Heron 10-2-36-3, D. Veitch 10-2-11-4, R. Shyam 8-3-11-2.
A C Guitars Kingholm: 93 for 4. M. Lumb 32 n.o, D. Heron 15, R. McNay 15 n.o, T. Ur Rehman 12.
