Cricket: Johnston century not enough

Jun 19 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

JMS Nunholm rattled up an impressive 287 for 4 at home on Saturday thanks to a sparkling innings of 144 from Russell Johnston but then had to watch as their Western Union opponents Bothwell timed their chase to win with one over to spare.

Opener Johnston dominated the Nunholm innings and was characteristically severe through the off side.

He found willing partners in Chris McCutcheon with 21 and Graeme Cross whose experience told him to play second fiddle. Johnston also displayed a tactical nous by sending two fielders to the first aid station suffering from blows to hand and arm as they tried to stop some of his blows.

The Bothwell bowlers toiled in the sun and were relieved when Johnston, who scored a century against them at Nunholm last year, was finally caught for 144 when the score was 238.

Then Campbell Potts took advantage of the opportunity to hit some boundaries including one towering six. He was out for 27 and Cross ended on 51 not out.

In reply, Nunholm struck early with McCutcheon dismissing one opener for nought. He went on to bowl an excellent set of 15 overs straight through at three an over.

However the on-field assessment was that the batsmen were waiting until he finished his spell.

Sure enough when he finished at 30 overs having taken three wickets Bothwell were still at 135 for three and the number three, Makwane, was hitting the ball cleanly. An injury meant a runner had come on for him but this only encouraged him to go for his shots.

He found a sensible partner in Stewart who exploited the gaps appearing in the field and the remaining bowlers were just unable to restrain the flow of runs on a quick outfield nor get the luck with a few lofted shots finishing just out of the reach of the fielders.

The run rate needed crept up to over seven an over and Nunholm stuck to their task in the field but lacked the penetration to trouble the pair who put on a 140 partnership before Stewart was out just before the end for 54.

Makwane finished with an impressive 117 to his name.

Match Scorecard: Western Union Division 2, match ball sponsored by Banner Fabrications Ltd.

Bothwell beat JMS Nunholm by 6 wickets

JMS Nunholm 288/4 (50 overs, R Johnston 144, G Cross 51*, C Potts 27, I Stewart 2-79)

Bothwell 289/4 (48.4 overs, K Makwane 117*, I Stewart 54, C McCutcheon 15-1-50-3)

Dumfries Man of the Match: Russell Johnston for an imperious 144 runs.