DMPS St Michael’s continue good form

Jun 26 2009 by Susan Bryden, Dumfries Standard Friday

DMPS Financial Services St Michaels travelled to Bothwell last week and gained a valuable win thanks to the batting of Australian duo Pat Sullivan and Randall Hart.

After winning the toss, Bothwell were asked to bat first on a fine looking wicket and fast outfield.

The Saints bowlers knew that a tight line against the batsmen was needed and the opening pair of Ross Marscheider and Derek Rankine got off to the right start by keeping the run rate to around two an over for the first 12 overs.

After a good spell by Marscheider he was replaced by Farrukh who gained the first wicket by bowling Baxter for 10. The next batsmen then set about putting on a solid stand and wickets were proving hard to come by.

Once Rankine finished his usual economic spell he was replaced by the spin of Chris Brockwell. The bowlers stuck to their task well but the Bothwell pair added 85 runs at a steady pace and a large total looked likely.

It was the introduction of Davie Armstrong that eventually made the breakthrough bowling Makwane for 45 and not long after he had McLeod stumped by Sullivan for 69.

With two new batsmen at the crease the run rate dropped briefly. With R Hart also bowling well with Armstrong, the pair took a further two wickets each despite some late attacking play and Bothwell finished on 219 for 7. Armstrong finishing with four wickets to prove line and length bowling can reap rewards even on good pitches.

With the St Michael’s batsmen confident of chasing the target, their response got off to a bad start by losing Farrukh LBW for two and he was quickly followed by Brockwell who was caught behind for three.

This left Saints on eight for two and now with the Aussie pair of Hart and Sullivan at the crease. What followed was a batting master class as the duo rebuilt the innings.

With a combination of stout defence and powerful drives they put on their 100 run partnership in 25 overs. Sullivan was first to his 50 and was closely followed by Hart as they kept to the run rate needed but still requiring a further 100 runs in the last 20 overs.

As confidence grew both players unleashed more boundaries and the rest of the Saints batsmen could relax until Hart was caught on the boundary for a great 81.

This gave 16-year-old Cody Irvine a chance to play in Scotland while on holiday but he was unfortunate to be LBW without scoring.

Sullivan then reached his well-deserved century with a succession of boundaries and the winning score was in sight.

Marscheider tried to follow Pat’s example but was promptly bowled for six. This aptly left Sullivan to score the winning runs much to the delight of his team mates, and he finished his brilliant innings on 110 not out.

DMPS Financial Services St Michael’s travel to play Titwood for a top of the table clash this Saturday and if they approach the game in the same way as this win, will surely give the league leaders a tough battle.

The AC Eggleton man of the match award went to Pat Sullivan for his second century for Saints.

Scores: Bothwell 219-7, D Armstrong 4-49, R Hart 2-47, Farrukh 1-43.

DMPS St Michael’s 220-3, P Sullivan 110 n.o., R Hart 81.