Dumfries Sports Club

Dumfries CC Women - Peebles 6s Tournament Winners

Dumfries Women played their first competitive game on Sunday in the Cricket Scotland Indoor Sixes Tournament at Peebles.

Remarkably they managed to end up as the tournament winners on the day against much more experienced sides.

In four competitive games they registered four wins after playing St Boswells in the group stage, Stirling County in the semi-final and an impressive Edinburgh University side in the final and in the process the players had to contend with a few Scotland U17 and senior squad players playing against them.

It was a tense finish in the final with the side from Nunholm needing 9 to win off the last over chasing a total of 41. The side’s top batsman on the day, Kirsty Strachan, hit the first ball for six but was bowled next ball for 20. However Rosy Ryan scored the required three runs off the second last ball to claim an exciting and surprising win. Opener Rachel Howard once again batted through to the finish with 10 to secure the four wicket victory.

All six Dumfries players contributed either through their bowling, batting or fielding and the Cricket Scotland Women’s Cricket Manager, Kari Carswell, described the side as a good unit. Skipper Sue Strachan put the emphasis on the younger players, kept the side motivated and took on the demands of bowling the last over. Margaret Miller took the most wickets and after wickets were lost in the semi-final hit her first ball for six to win the game and Emma Miller kept well and did all the crucial hard work behind the stumps.

In particular the three youngest members of the side, Kirsty Strachan, Rachel Howard and Rosy Ryan led the side in the batting and bowling departments and Rosy’s reaction catch against Stirling in the semi-final was the catch of the tournament. As a result of their performances and potential the three are now in the Scotland U17 squad and involved in their winter training programme

It was an enjoyable experience for all teams and players and, on the day, both of the local first time entrants Dumfries CC and Galloway CC competed well and with enthusiasm.

Those interested in playing Girls and Women’s cricket with others who are also starting out in the sport can contact Dumfries Cricket Club at dumfriescricketclub@gmail.com or via www.dumfriescricketclub.co.uk.

The Cricket Scotland report on the tournament can be found here.