Dumfries Sports Club

On Saturday APD Dumfries lost their opening Scottish Cup group game by 38 runs against Ferguslie at Nunholm.

The visitors set a difficult total of 239 for 9 thanks to two fine innings from their Scotland U19 batsman Michael English, with an unbeaten century, and 71 from their Zimbabyan professional Kevin Dabengwa.

Amongst the Dumfries bowlers Alan Davidson finished with 3 wickets, Beveridge two, and Chris McCutcheon produced a valuable spell for just one wicket.

In reply Dumfries were always behind the run rate as the Ferguslie openers bowled tightly. Chris Bellwood batted well for 30 to get the side past the hundred but the side then lost wickets, ultimately losing five to young spinner Tahir.

Scott Beveridge, the John Walker and Son Dumfries Man of the Match, added some late innings hitting with 56 runs, along with Peter Lojszczyk. However he was caught attempting one more six with Dumfries all out and short of their target on 201 with just over two overs left.

With five more group games APD Dumfries play their next Scottish Cup match against Falkland at Nunholm on Saturday. The Nunholm 2nd XI play away at Galloway in the Western Cup.

During last week Tom McBride registered two scores in the thirties for Scottish Students in their three match tour against English Universities and Kirsty Strachan and Rosy Ryan turned out for a Scotland Womens XI in their win against Scottish Students in Edinburgh.

In the season’s opening game on Saturday APD Dumfries had a close win in their friendly against Ferguslie at Benfield Park Nunholm.

Ferguslie reached 167 with two wickets apiece for Druce, Lojszczyk and Brockwell. Dumfries passed that for eight wickets with fifty from Chris Bellwood and sixty not out by skipper Scott Beveridge.

Ferguslie passed fifty for one down but Beveridge then executed an outstanding run-out and Niall Alexander removed English for 31.

Stafford proved the top scorer (53) and became the ninth wicket to fall. Beveridge removed the Zimbabwean professional Dabengwa and at 134 for 5 with ten overs left, Chris Brockwell bowled well in the power play taking two wickets. Newly arrived from Australian, opening bowler Peter Lojszczyk completed a good outing in unfamiliar conditions to take two wickets as Ferguslie ended 167 all out.

Chris Bellwood dominated the scoring in the Dumfries innings, at one point hitting six boundaries in not many more balls. However when he was stumped for 50 it was 105 for 5 and it required Beveridge to see the side home with 60 not out as three more wickets fell.

Skipper Beveridge commented “we were a bit rusty with catches dropped and wickets given away but everyone bowled well and we should be ready to take Ferguslie on again in the Scottish Cup at Nunholm this Saturday”. The Carlisle Refrigeration Dumfries Man of the Match on the day was Chris Bellwood for his all-round contribution. Also on Saturday the Nunholm seconds are at Meikleriggs in the Western Cup.