1s lose out on the final ball at Ayr

Dumfries were involved in another thrilling last ball Premier League finish on Saturday, this time against Ayr, where despite an outstanding GM Thomson Player of the Match performance from Jesse Smit the side were defeated by two wickets.

Your Move Dumfries chose to bat first and made a steady start but at the half way point had reached 83 for 3 after twenties from Scott Beveridge and Tom McBride. The innings gained impetus when Robert McBride joined Jesse Smit for an imposing hundred partnership. Both accelerated to over a run a ball as boundaries began to up the Dumfries run rate. McBride contributed one slog sweep six hit as hard as anything this season but he departed caught attempting his fourth six for an excellent 57 and with Dumfries now up to 181 for 4 with just over eight overs left.

Alan Davidson was able to exploit those remaining overs as he combined with Smit as sixes were instrumental in a closing rate of ten an over. Davidson rapidly added 26 and Smit piled on the runs to reach his impressive century. Dumfries managed to reach a defendable score of 267 for 6 with eleven sixes helping to add over one hundred and eighty in the the second half of the innings. Smit hit six sixes and six fours in his 109 not out.

Smit then set Ayr back as he took two wickets in the very first over. Chances to remove Flack were not snaffled but he was out well caught by McGrath off Davidson for 43 with the score in the seventies. Grobler contributed 35 before he was another Smit victim, this time a direct hit run out, for a score of 147 for 4 but with twenty overs still to go. Ayr were ahead in comparison with Dumfries and the stumbling block was Michael English batting well at four. Dumfries managed to apply pressure with a further three wickets, 198 for 7, but a near fifty run eighth wicket partnership was only ended with a run out on the third run by Malik. It came down to eleven to win off the last over but a brilliant English was up to the task with an improvised last ball six over midwicket for a dramatic two wicket win with English finishing 134 not out. Smit was denied a deserved win as he finished with four wickets to go with his century.

Your Move Dumfries are now in fourth place in the Premier League and play Langside next at home on Saturday.

Dumfries lost to Ayr by 2 wickets
Your Move Dumfries 267 for 6 (50 overs)
J Smit 105no, R McBride 57, A Davidson 26, S Beveridge 23
M English 3 for 51
Ayr 270 for 8 (50 overs)
M English 134no, N Flack 43;
J Smit 4 for 43, C McCutcheon 1 for 42, A Davidson 1 for 36
Run outs for J Smit, A Malik

Online scorecard and video highlights - https://wdculive.com/match/137111-6111948/scorecard

Online match video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HXb-pugUDc