Saints cruise to victory

Jul 10 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

DMPS Financial Services St Michael's entertained bottom of the table Motherwell at Kingholm Park last Saturday and shook off last week's disappointment to notch up an easy nine wicket victory.

Captain for the day Ahsanul Alam won the toss and put the opposition into bat on a slighty damp Kinghom wicket.

It was a decision that was immediately justified when Ross Marscheider clean bowled opening batsmen Greig with only the third ball of the match.

After a tight first over from fellow opener Graeme McKirdle, Marscheider struck again in his second to take the score to two for two.

This brought P Keay to the crease and the youngster decided to take the attack to the so far dominant opening bowlers and with a certain degree of success, hitting a couple of well struck boundaries.

McKirdle was not to be outdone however, and picked up the wicket of Rajesh in the 10th over to a smart catch from Brockwell at slip.

With the score now on 22 for three, Saints were in a very strong position.

The fourth wicket proved to be the visitors’ most fruitful partnership, with McSween providing decent support for Keay who was clearly not hanging around.

This pair took the score to 60 for three after 20 overs and it was obvious a bowling change was needed.

Up stepped Chris Brockwell to bowl what was easily his best spell of the season so far.

The young spinner found some vicious turn and bounce from the Kingholm surface and clean bowled the dogged McSween in his second over for five.

Brockwell then went on to pick up another two wickets in his eight overs to finish on three for 12 including four maidens.

McKirdle also finished strongly, picking up his second wicket and was replaced by the ever-reliable Armstrong who dismissed the dangerous looking Keay with a typically accurate delivery.

Much to the dismay of the young batsman, he returned to the pavilion one short of his 50. This saw the end of any real resistance from the opposition and they collapsed to a disappointing 96 all out after only 35 overs.

Saints didn’t get off to the best of starts with the bat when Marscheider chased a wide one and was caught easily at point for a duck with only three runs on the board.

But any concerns over a possible Saints’ collapse were soon quashed with the arrival of Randall Hart.

The big Aussie put on a dominant display scoring a quick fire 67, which included 10 beautifully struck fours and huge six over square leg.

Brockwell had been providing good support at the other end, and finished the game off with a fine cover drive to reach the required total off only 17 overs and for the loss of just one wicket.

It was important for Saints to get back to winning ways after last week and they will be pleased with such a comfortable victory.

A much sterner test is expected at home to Cambusdoon next Saturday however.

The John Henderson and Sons’ man of the match award went to Chris Brockwell for a fine spell of bowling and a solid 29 not out with the bat.

Scoreboard: Motherwell 96 all out (Keay 49 ; Brockwell 3-12, Marscheider 2-19, McKirdle 2-39)

DMPS Financial Services St Michael's 99-1 (Hart 67 n.o., Brockwell 29 n.o.).