Dumfries Sunday Dev XI 196 for 5 v Keswick 196 for 8

Dumfries travelled to Keswick and after a long day the honours were even as the game ended in a rare tie.

Rain was in the air as Dumfries began to bat and on a wicket that was slow and kept low it was Adam Malik who dominated the bowling respecting the good balls and dispatching the bad ones to the boundary. Malik retired on 54 after hitting a 6 square of the wicket. Mat Williams was a steady influence during the middle overs as Dumfries lost a few wickets to rash shots as batsmen attacked the Keswick bowling. Williams retired on 51, with Andrew Reed replacing him in the middle, again the experience showed as Reed worked with a few partners to push the total up to 196 with only 5 wickets lost.

Dumfries entered the field with confidence to defend the total, and whilst Keswick got off to a slow start, they were still able to find the boundary square of the wicket to keep their interest. It was a bowling change of Sean Thornely who made the break through picking up a quick 3 wickets to put Dumfries in the driving seat. Luke McBurnie and Aiden Goodin did a solid job in the middle overs each picking up a wicket.

Oscar Link entered the fray and looked assured from ball one. He began to control the run chase which was near 8 an over, but with smart singles, fielding errors and the occasional boundary the nerves started to appear for Dumfries who were slowly looking like throwing away all the points available.

It came down to the last over with 5 required for Keswick to win. Sean Thornely was given the task of defending the position. Oscar Link managed to punch the ball through the infield and scrambled 3 meaning he was required to retire for a well earned 50. A single with 3 balls to go meant the scores were tied.

1 run to win off of 3 balls, Thornely got the new batsman to hit the ball into the waiting hands of Reed and with the final ball of the match he bowled Alfie Davies and the points were shared. Sean Thornely finished with a 5 wicket haul.

Dumfries 196 for 5
Adam Malik 54 not out, Mat Williams 51 not out
Keswick 196 for 8
Sean Thornely 6 overs 5 wickets for 17
James Hobman, Aiden Goodin, Luke McBurnie each with 1 wicket

Player of the Match: Sean Thornely

PHOTO: Youngster Hobman batting against Keswick on a difficult wicket c Ben Challis Photography