On Saturday in the Western Premier league, at Nunholm, Stafforce Dumfries were just on the wrong side of a one wicket loss in a very tense finish against Paisley side Ferguslie.
Dumfries set a total of 190 for 6 with all of the batsmen contributing and with scores in the thirties from Alan Davidson, Stuart Corbett-Byers and Josh Forsyth. Young Ferguslie spinner Hamza Tahir, on a helpful surface, slowed the scoring and importantly also removed the top four batsmen.
Dumfries had a good start when Ferguslie batted when Niall Alexander took a wicket LBW first ball and promptly had the other opener well caught in the slips. Ferguslie recovered thanks to a partnership between Michael English and David Stafford. However both were removed, English for 64, with just under fifty runs needed and seven wickets down.
Nevertheless the remaining batsmen proved equal to the task, aided by opportunities not being taken by Dumfries. The closing overs were eventful. In the second last over a diving one handed catch just failed to stick, and one run was called short, but the last pair for Ferguslie hit the winning runs with just three balls left after putting on sixteen for the last wicket.
That result was despite five wickets taken by the Cumberland Building Society Dumfries Man of the Match, opening bowler Niall Alexander, and also three from Scott Beveridge. In the Western Premier Reserve League the Dumfries 2nd XI fixture at Meikleriggs was cancelled due to rain.
On Sunday at Nunholm, in the second round of the Scottish Cup, a depleted Dumfries team was well beaten by a strong Arbroath side. Only the Park Gate Ltd. Dumfries Man of the Match Robert McBride was in the runs with the top score of twenty seven in a total of 82. Opener Brendon Ford then smashed 58 in short order to settle an eight wicket win with only the catch of the season by Alan Davidson as consolation for Dumfries.
On Saturday, Stafforce Dumfries play at Drumpellier in the Western Premier League and Nunholm play Langloan at home.
Club Coaching for Juniors takes place at Dumfries Sports Club on Mondays, 6:15-8, suitable for boys and girls, P4 to S1. For details contact Trefor Williams on 01387 256455, or the club on dumfriescricketclub@gmail.com, 07799 856094, or see www.dumfriescricketclub.co.uk. Or follow the club on Facebook.
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