Nunholm Knights slay Dumfries Dragons at last gasp
Dumfries Cricket Club were able to kick-start their halted 2020 season with internal club games at Nunholm at the weekend.
That followed recent Scottish Government and Cricket Scotland announcements that permit restricted internal club training games to commence. The Nunholm club, following that Sportscotland guidance, were delighted on Saturday to resume with intra-club cricket.
The club have established two squads, Dumfries Dragons and Nunholm Knights to play fixtures until the club are permitted future matches against opposition teams.
Saturday provided an excellent first game back as the Nunholm Knights beat Dumfries Dragons with just one ball left for the first match action of the summer in the middle at Nunholm. All-rounder Alan Davidson was the Hole in the Wa’ Inn Player of the Match for his runs, and a rare wicketwith good economy, in conditions that favoured the batsmen.
Skipper Andrew Reed opted for Dumfries Dragons to bat first and it did prove to be a day for the batters. Adam Malik took the first ball of the season from James Hobman and he and his opening partner Sam Thornely made a steady start against Hobman and Callum Reynolds-Lewis. The batsmen got into their stride and a fifty partnership came and went despite a spilled chance at deep backward-square off the bowling of Rory Thornely.
With Sunday League rules in operation for a 36 over game, Malik retired unbeaten on 40 and proved that some things don’t change. Two Thornelys then got to bat together with Sean joining father until Sam also retired on 42.
The Knights’ bowling was shared with the spin and guile of Vaughn Staples, Aiden Goodin and Scott Beveridge brought round the table. However despite the Knights lancing the scoring rate, wickets proved elusive. It required Reynolds-Lewis to return and literally hit the top of off to remove Sean Thornely with a beauty for 10. Alan Davidson had brought some Dragon’s fire-power driving straight for several boundaries. He and his side-kick, Max Corbett-Byers, hustled for the Dragons score to soar to a final 155 for just 1 dismissal.
Davidson retired for another 40, Fergus Bainbridge drew the short straw of hitting out for runs in the finalover and Max Corbett-Byers finished 10 not out.
The Knights came into the fray with a similar battle tactic. Openers Mat Williams and James Little got familar with playing cricket again against some tight bowling from Luke and Matthew McBurnie. They were then able to accelerate with determined running and a Williams double play of boundaries square either side of the wicket. Williams retired for 43 with some seventy runs still needed in the final 15 overs.
David Davidson repelled the advances of the Alan Davidson in-swing by lifting the ball up and over the leg side field and then unveiled a great off side four off the back foot at the other end. James Little completed a fine first innings when he was bowled by Sean Thornely for 37. Skipper Robert McBride then had the job of leading his side home with overs dwindling. Wicketkeeper Andy Reed clutched the only catch of the day to remove Davie for 31 off a top-edge and the Knights required 9 off the last over from Stuart Alexander. One four to the midwicket boundary from McBride eased the chase and he and Scott Beveridge reached the winning total off the penultimate ball.
It was close finish to add to an excellent return to cricket at Nunholm with several games within games at play. Thanks to the Ashleigh Building ground team for preparing a good track for some good cricket. Many thanks to the match ball sponsor, the Hole in the Wa’ Inn. The Nunholm Round Table series continues this Saturday with game two at Nunholm.
Nunholm Knights beat Dumfries Dragons by seven wickets
Dumfries Dragons 155 for 1 (36 overs)
Adam Malik 40rtd, Sam Thornely 42rtd, Alan Davidson 40rtd
Callum Reynolds-Lewis 1 for 33
Nunholm Knights 155 for 2 (35.5 overs)
Mat Williams 43rtd, James Little 37, David Davidson 31, Robert McBride 24no,
Sean Thornely 1 for 15, Alan Davidson 1 for 23
Junior Cricket Sessions Return
Training sessions during the week have also resumed at Dumfries Sports Club, Nunholm, subject to
permitted guidelines. These include junior age-group sessions and a resumption of the club Monday 5- 6pm All Stars sessions for 5 to 8 year olds. Contact the Club at [email protected] or via
www.dumfriescricketclub.com .
Dumfries Dragons get revenge through the Junior Series
Dumfries Junior Dragons won on Sunday over the Junior Knights with overs to spare to knock off the 76 runs required for victory and get revenge for the Saturday seniors’ defeat.
Nunholm Knights batted first and opener James Little set up the total of 75 for 5 with a score of 31 retired. Matthew McBurnie hit effectively down the ground with late innings runs and both Vaughn Staples and James Hobman picked up two wickets and Niamh Muir took the other one as well as a goodcatch.
Fergus Bainbridge then did the same opening for the Dumfries Dragons with a rapid score of 31 also retired. Aiden Goodin and then Fergus Cubbon kept the run rate up for a win, with three overs left, for the loss of two wickets. James Little claimed one wicket and Harith Hassan the other. Player of the Match was Fergus Bainbridge for his quick fire 30 off 21 balls to set up the Junior Dragons for the win.
Nunholm Junior Knights 75 for 5 (20 overs)
James Little 31rtd, Matthew McBurnie 11;
Vaughn Staples 2 for 14, James Hobman 2 for 10, Niamh Muir 1 for 23
Dumfries Junior Dragons 79 for 2 (17 overs)
Fergus Bainbridge 31rtd, Aiden Goodin 18, Fergus Cubbon 15no
James Little 1 for 11, Harith Hassan 1 for 3
