The Thirteens brought their competitive season to a close with a cup semi-final against Stainton from near Penrith and the evening went much the same way as the season as whole – by no means perfect but all things considered a great performance.

In a close match every single player, I’m sure, could count their personal “what-ifs” but the positive performances easily outweighed them. The bowling and fielding were perhaps the weaker of the disciplines this week which meant that they were chasing a daunting 145 for victory despite Katy’s normal 4 accurate overs.

The chase did not get off to a great start with Aiden being the aggrieved party in a run-out but then the innings smoothly went into top gear. Orla made her maximum and Max, Fergus B and James were stroking the ball around. However when none of them could go on to their retiral it looked like the ba’ was on the slates – but no – Fergus C was involved in a 20-run partnership and then Katy come to the party for the team to come up only nine runs short.

Perhaps the highlight of the night, though, and the biggest cheer was when Nairn equalised with Munro with a single off the last ball of the match – go the twins.

Stainton U13s 144 for 4; D Forrester 30 retd, R Dadley 29, L Elliot 24*, S Kirkman 20*, K Anderson 1/16
Beat by 9 runs
Dumfries Thirteens 135 for 9; Orla Montgomery 30 retd, Max Corbett-Byers 23, James Hobman 21, Fergus Bainbridge 15, Katy Anderson 15, D Forrester 2/17

Ed: Shot of the innings was the lofted straight drive by Orla to the clubhouse sightscreens. Apologises, but there is unfortunately no photo of that one.

Online scorecard: dumfriescc.play-cricket.com/website/results/3686749