Rain Dampens Dumfries Progress
Croma Vigilant Dumfries 218 – 8 v Ferguslie 73 – 1
Croma Vigilant Dumfries were denied the opportunity to gain their first victory of the season as the rain clouds opened up and left the match abandoned.
Croma Vigilant Dumfries lost the toss and league leaders put Dumfries into bat on what started out a sunny day. It was Dumfries’ South African, Jesse Smit, who took centre stage as he went on to score 109 before being dismissed in the closing overs. Smit dominated the Ferguslie bowling attack with an array of shot around the ground, including an enormous switch for 6. He was supported by Andrew Dawson in the early part of the innings and then later by Andrew Mascall and Robert McBride, as Dumfries put behind them the horrors of batting collapse last week at Uddingston. Dumfries lost wickets in the final stages of the innings as they went for their shots to up the run rate, but were satisfied with the 218 posted.
Ferguslie got off to a slow reply as they lost opening bat Gregor Preston-Jones for 6. English and Moses set about rebuilding and with the drizzle starting concerns over whether the dreaded Duckworth-Lewis scoring system will be required to determine a winner. The ball was getting wetter and eventually the umpires were unable to keep hold of the slippery ball for inspection and the match was abandoned in the 16th over of Ferguslie reply. No result this week, but an improved performance by the doonhamers. Croma Vigilant Dumfries travel to Stirling for this weeks Western Premier fixture.
Nith Valley Cleaning Man of the Match: Jesse Smit
League Leaders made to wait
Nunholm 159 all out v Hillhead 159 – 3
Nunholm travelled to league leaders Hillhead and whilst put in a good performance were unable to make the key break throughs for victory.
Hillhead won the toss and elected to field, probably knowing about Nunholm’s recent batting collapses. However there was a more determined attitude from the Dumfries 2nd team as they worked the Hillhead bowlers around and sticking to the game plan. Andrew Reed was having fun in the middle, exchanging banter with a few of the Hillhead players as they chased the ball around in the early overs. However confusion over a quick single saw Reed depart for 25. Partnerships were the key as Sam Thornley and Gurupal Singh batted in controlled fashion, until Thornely was bowled. Singh continued his fine form with the bat and supported each of the Nunholm batsman to build the score up to 150, but Singh eventually tried 1 creative shot too many and was out, bowled. Nunholm finished on 158.
Hillhead struggled with the bowling, but they were more confident with the bat. Callum Reynolds-Lewis made a break through early on, but Mehmood and Azhar played firm at the ball, with some making the boundary easy, and other just falling out of the reach of fielders. Nunholm bowlers toiled in the humid conditions, and while Cox picked up a wicket and Rory Thornley picked up his first Saturday league wicket, eventually Hillhead went on to secure victory. Nunholm Welcome Williamfield to Dumfries on Saturday in the western Division 2 fixture.
Man of the Match Gurupal Singh
Dumfries secure successive Sunday wins
Croma Vigilant Dumfries 166-9 v Nunwick 69 all out
Croma Vigilant Dumfries Sunday XI travelled to Nunwick on Sunday in the Eden Valley Cricket League, and once again came back with all the points.
Captain Andrew Reed once again chose to bat and Mark Abnett and James Little provided a solid opening partnership as of 45 before Abnett was dismissed for 25, James Little soon followed with the score at 62. A quick succession of wickets fell with Luke McBUrnie Bowled, Orla Montgomery Stumped and Reed being caught in the covers. It was left to Daniel Armstrong to rebuild on a slow and low wicket, and once again he delivered. Sensible mixed with aggression as he scored his 50 and is now a common occurrence. Dumfries finished with 166 for 9 of the 36 overs.
It was however opening bowler Callum Reynolds-Lewis who was the game changer in the Sunday XI this week as he ripped through the top 3 batsmen. The first over he drew Mein into a drive only for the ball to clip the inside of the bat and smash over the stumps. He then dismissed Bogman as he played back to the ball and again the stumps were sent stumbling. In his third over Reynolds-Lewis was at it again as he dismissed Allen. Nunwick struggled to recover from that early spell and whilst Buttler put up resistance scoring 42, the remain batsmen were unable to support him. The remaining wickets were distributed across the bowling attack or Orla and Glen Montgomery, Rory Thornley and Reed. Nunwick were dismissed for 69. The Croma Vigilant Dumfries Sunday XI are in friendly action next week against Kirkwood.
Man of the Match Callum Reynolds-Lewis
