Top scoring Bellwood dominates at Nunholm

Aug 28 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

JMS Nunholm won their Western Union Division 2 encounter with Anniesland at Nunholm on Saturday but the result that caught the eye was a tremendous innings from Chris Bellwood who scored a remarkable 170 not out.

Anniesland won the toss and put Nunholm in to bat hopeful that the wet week would provide assistance to the bowling side.

That appeared to be the case when their young opener Ganapathi nipped through the Dumfries defences to make it two down for just 20.

However, skipper Graeme Cross came in to join Chris Bellwood and in view of what he was doing at the other end opted just to keep him company.

The young opener was playing sensibly but putting away the loose delivery for four and in the process dominated the run scoring. So much so that at the 20 over mark, of the 80 runs scored, the bulk were due to his boundaries.

The pair progressed at four an over until, with the score at 114 Cross refused to have loopy leg breaks bowled at him and perished for 23, stumped on his way to the pavilion, to the bowling of Glenesk.

A run out followed and Russell Johnston took on the task of rotating the strike while Bellwood cruised to his century. This pair had nearly reached the 200-mark when Johnston was caught behind for 31 to the probing bowling of Fornear.

That bowler then found himself on a hat-trick when an attempted leave also went to the keeper.

At that stage there were nine overs left and six wickets down for 195 and another wicket, especially Bellwood’s, could dramatically alter the final total.

Robert McBride proved equal to the task and, in perhaps his best innings of the season with 42 not out, matched Bellwood in the scoring department as they added nearly ninety in the closing overs at ten an over. Bellwood put one six onto the pavilion only for McBride to do the same two balls later.

During this run feast Bellwood also went past the 150 mark on his way to an undefeated 170 not out, his highest score, and without Russell Johnston’s 191 not out also scored this season, would be vying for the record top score at the club.

Chris batted beautifully, as he can, and sent the ball speeding to all parts of the ground with 29 fours and one six. The Anniesland attack stuck to their task well but resolute defence and flashing stroke play meant that they couldn’t remember a chance given during his innings. The innings closed on 284 for six after the 50 overs.

The game was only at the half way stage and Anniesland immediately displayed the firepower to challenge the total as Soman stroked four boundaries.

However Alan Maskrey was trying to make up for missing most of the season through injury and a brilliant one handed slip catch off him by Patterson dismissed Soman and three balls later a full swinging delivery trapped the number three LBW.

That started a steady fall of wickets although the Anniesland batsmen, and in particular Carrick with rapid six boundary 26, showed their capabilities.

It was Maskrey who led the attack taking five wickets and he was supported by the other bowlers used. McBride, McKenzie and Kyle each took one wicket and Jack Barnes took two. Anniesland finished on 138 all out after 36 overs for a Nunholm win by 146 runs.

Scoreboard: Western Union Division 2 at Nunholm, match ball sponsored by Dumfries Toolroom Ltd, McGowan Millar Partnership, J&E Shepherd

JMS Nunholm beat Anniesland by 146 runs

JMS Nunholm 284/6 (50 overs, C Bellwood 170 no, R McBride 42 no, R Johnston 31, R Fornear 2 for 63, N Gannapathi 2 for 59)

Anniesland 138 all out (36.3 overs, D Carrick 26, A Maskrey 5 for 33, J Barnes 2 for 19)

Dumfries Man of the Match: Chris Bellwood, sponsored by Scott Beveridge Plumbing and Bathrooms.