Dumfries breeze past Ayr

Jul 3 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

ON A muggy, humid day at Nunholm, Dumfries’ winning streak almost came to a sticky end against Ayr on Sunday in the Strathclyde Sunday League Division 3.

The visitors won the toss and chose to field first in a match reduced to 35 overs for each team but, as it would turn out, neither team would use all of these overs.

Dumfries’ innings got off to a poor start as some soft early wickets fell, jeopardising the course of the innings. However the momentum began to swing in Dumfries’ favour once Douglas Brotherston came to the crease.

He bludgeoned his way to a team, and match best, 47 with the help of two huge sixes, one of which was very close to causing damage in the car park had it not thumped into the sightscreen, before being caught at mid-on.

This and Josh Geary’s impressive 44 were the only real positives of the Dumfries innings but the scorers were kept busy as Dumfries raced to 100 in just under 10 overs but an utter meltdown in the batting saw Dumfries get bowled all out for just 156 runs in less than 30 overs.

The best bowling figures from Ayr were those of R Borland who picked up 2-56.

Dumfries needed to hope that their effort in the field was better than their batting and they got off to the best start possible with Stephen Temlett picking up a wicket in the very first over.

Wickets continued to fall for Dumfries but when the rain and dark, menacing clouds arrived it seemed that the weather may have beaten both teams but they persisted and eventually the game was going in one direction.

After Josh Geary caught Borland off of the bowling of Chris Bellwood (3-15) for 24 the game was nearly won.

Douglas Brotherston’s bowling then finished the game as Ayr were all out for 115.

It was not the most convincing win for Dumfries but they sit top of the league and they will be hoping for another six points on the 5th of July at home to Kelburne.

Match scoreboard: Strathclyde Sunday League, match ball sponsored by DBH Erections

Dumfries XI beat Ayr by 44 runs

Dumfries XI 159 All Out (D Brotherston 47, J Geary 44)

Ayr 115 All Out (C Bellwood 3 for 15)

B & B Body Repairs Man of the Match: Douglas Brotherston.