Saturday
CROMA VIGILANT DUMFRIES FIRST TEAM
Croma Vigilant Dumfries were up against Greenock Cricket Club in the opening fixture of the Western Premier division. It was however not good news as the umpires deemed the ground unplayable to meet league rules and after the long drive north the match was cancelled. Both teams however were keen for a practice match and a 25 over fixture was played. Croma Vigilant Dumfries came out on top winning off the last ball of the innings. Croma Vigilant Dumfries won the toss and elected to bowl, and it was Stuart Alexander who made immediate inroads into the Greenock batting line up with an athletic caught and bowled. Greenock fought their way back into the match after the loss of early wickets, but Croma Vigilant Dumfries continued to take wickets as bowlers were rotated to give them much needed game time. Danny Armstrong, Scott Beveridge, Cameron Telfer all picking up wickets as Greenock were all out for 122.
Dumfries Cricket Club are delighted to welcome South African pace bowler Jesse Smit as one of the clubs overseas players for the 2018 season. Jesse comes over to Dumfries from Durban where he normally plays his cricket after a successful season with both the bat and ball.
Croma Vigilant Dumfries replay got off to a flying start as Andrew Dawson and Stuart Corbett-Byers fought through difficult conditions at the start. However 3 wickets fell quickly and that bought Scott Beveridge and overseas player Jesse Smit to the middle. The pair set about stabilising the innings and they put the away team in a strong position before Smit got a ball that rose sharply. Beveridge continued with support of the remaining batsmen to score his maiden 50 of the season, but was out in the late stages, this time by a ball that barely bounced. Croma Vigilant Dumfries continued to move the scoreboard along and with one run needed of the last ball, Danny Armstrong made good connection, striking a four to win the match.
NUNHOLM – DUMFRIES SECOND TEAM
In the local derby, Nunholm hosted St Michaels first team in Division Two of the Western District League. Nunholm lost the toss and St Michaels elected to bat. Early dismissals put Nunholm on the front foot, however St Michaels Overseas player Josh Neimand played a dominant innings of 74 putting the pressure back on the Nunholm bowlers. When Nunholm finally made the breakthrough they gradually worked away dismissing the St Michaels players on a wicket that became more favourable to the spinners. St Michaels finished on 174. Nunholm came out to bat, however the spin of Chris Brockwell proved too much as he took five wickets to leave Nunholm all out for just 57.
Sunday
NATIONAL T20 FINALS – CROMA VIGILANT DUMFRIES
Croma Vigilant Dumfries were back in action on the Sunday as they took on East Section winners (Watsonians) in the National T20 semi-final which had been held over from the 2017 campaign. Croma Vigiant unfortunately lost out by 34 runs as Watsonians went on to final and become the eventual Champions of Scotland.
Croma Vigilant were in the field and restricted the Watsonians star studded batting attack, which included Scotland batsman George Munsey, to 145. Wickets from Alan Davidson, wickets from Niall Alexander, Alan Davidson, Scott Beveridge and captain Christopher McCutcheon were regular throughout the innings. Croma Vigilant in reply started off well and a 8 overs were 53 for 1, which included a big six from Jesse Smit on a switch hit, and on target to chase down the total. The loss of 3 wickets in the 9th over had an impact on the strike rate. Croma Vigilant Dumfries continued to keep the score within reach, but when eventually the run rate got to 10 runs an over, the more chances Dumfries took to make runs, it also meant the loss of further wickets, eventually finishing 111 for 9. Watsonians went on to beat Clydesdale in the final comfortably as they bowled Clydsedale out for 90 runs and knocked them off in nine overs.
SUNDAY XI
The Dumfries Sunday XI were taking part in their first fixture in the Eden Valley League, the short trip over to the Lake District National Park to play Caldbeck. The team, which included 6 players under 16, were in buoyant mood as they ran out eventual winner
Dumfries won the toss and elected to bat, with Gordon Marshal and youngster Luke McBurnie, the nerves were obvious to see, as off the first ball there was nearly a run out. It started to settle down after that, however Marshal went of one big hit too many and was caught. Even younger youngster Max Corbett Byers came to the crease and immediately look comfortable in the middle. A solid performance was underway, but Corbett-Byers eventually fell, bringing Reed to the crease, who eventually went on to score 50 and retire to allow more young players to gain valuable match experience. Dumfries finished on 168 – 6.
After a glorious tea put on by the home team it was the turn of the bowlers to show their skills. Once they found their line, the pressure was on the Caldbeck batsman. Callum Reynolds-Lewis was the pick of the bowlers picking up four wickets, possibly he would have gone on to get five, but for the captain taking him off. Wickets were shared around the team with Sean Thornley-Kyle and Andrew Kyle smashing the stumps, it was David Lightfoot who finished off the innings picking up the final 3 wickets to dismiss Caldbeck for 84.
