Byers’ century sees off Freuchie

Jun 12 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

APD Dumfries recorded an impressive win against Freuchie on Saturday in National League Division 2.

Chasing a total of 198, they passed that with eight wickets to spare as Stuart Corbett-Byers notched up the club’s first century of the season with exactly 100 not out.

Freuchie opted to bat first but Stuart Alexander got one opener with the score on nought and the other cheaply with the score on 35.

However, both R Birrell and Gourlay – batting at numbers three and four – were the mainstay of the Freuchie innings.

Birrell scored a 50 but was bowled by Beveridge and this was rapidly followed by a run out to make it 94 for four.

However Gourlay and the other Birrell (S) took the score on to 141 when the introduction of Chris Bellwood bore fruit.

Coming on after a number of other bowlers, he proceeded to bowl three batsmen, including Gourlay and claimed another to a catch by Beveridge and at the end of the 50 overs Freuchie had reached 198 for eight.

Freuchie also had an early success, this time with the score on one, and when Alan Davidson was out for 24 with the score on 41 it brought Josh Geary in to partner Stuart Corbett-Byers.

They proceeded to dominate the innings as Freuchie ended up trying eight bowlers. Despite that Byers went on to score the first Dumfries league century since the 2006 season.

He finished not out on exactly 100 and Geary continued his good form backing him up with 63 not out. The winning runs were scored in the 35th over to consolidate Dumfries’ position in second place behind Falkland.

That means that this Saturday’s match against Falkland, who have won five games out of five, is an important one in deciding what happens at the top of the league in 2009.

Scoreboard:

Scottish National League Division 2, match ball sponsored by JP’s Hair & Beauty Salon and W&J Dunlops Ltd

APD Dumfries beat Freuchie by eight wickets:

Freuchie 198-8 (50 overs, S Gourlay 65, R Birrell 52, C Bellwood 4-34, S Alexander 2-26).

APD Dumfries 200-2 (S Corbett-Byers 100no, J Geary 63 no).

Dumfries man of the match: S Corbett-Byers, sponsored by the Nunholm Card School.

Weekend fixtures

ThereŠis a top two tussle in National League Division 2 this Saturday when second placed APD Dumfries are away at top side Falkland who have won five matches out of five so far.

JMS Nunholm have a home game against Bothwell in Western Union Divison 2 and on Sunday Nunholm are at Greenock in the Strathclyde Sunday League.