REPORT: Fifteens in a final ball finish

Lessons Learned at Langholm?

Dumfries U15 79 all out v Langholm U15 82 all out

Dumfries Under 15s lost on the last ball of the match at Langholm on Monday evening and conceded their second narrow defeat in a row, this time by 4 runs.

The Doonhamers won the toss and chose to bowl and, apart from the retiral of Wilson, every one of the opposing batsman failed to score more than 4 due to a mixture of very good balls and not so good. Langholm were all out for 82 in only 18.2 overs. Only 53 runs came off the bat though, so extras were the equal top score with 30. Again, with such a close finish, even halving the amount of wides (16) would have seen them comfortably over the line. Exceptions were Aidan Goodin (2 for 5), Sean Thornely (2 for 1), Luke McBurnie (2 for 10).

However, the drama of Langholm’s collapse seemed to make the Dumfries top order far too confident and, despite half time warnings from the coaches, started to attempt rash shots and runs. James Little and James Hobman went in the second over, the first played across the line (bowled for 5) the second was a beauty which took the top of Hobman’s off stump (0). Dumfries 7 for 2. Fergus Bainbridge looked fairly comfortable, but the call came to run a second off a misfield and he was run out for 7. ‘Never run off a misfield’ -another harsh lesson learned. Vaughn Staples was bowled the next over, again by Henderson, again for 0. Dumfries 14 for 4.

Thornely and Max Corbett-Byers managed to double the score and it looked like this partnership would do it when Corbett-Byer after hitting, in his usual pugnacious way, three boundaries fell to a great catch at cover which was travelling low and hard. However, all Dumfries had to do was knock four singles an over for an easy win. Perhaps the close proximity of the boundary was too enticing.

Lewis Fergusson came in at 7 and started to block the straight ones and hit the poor ones. His glorious lofted off drive for four was the shot of the day. But the pair also rotated the strike well and picked up the singles adding another 22 runs before Lewis was bowled by Henderson for 11. Dumfries 52 for 6 and still needed another 30 off the last 5 overs.

Six an over needed and the urgency for boundaries seemed to take over, Thornely and Matthew McBurnie continued to put on another 17 runs before Thornely perished attempting a big hit and was caught top edging for 16. 69 for 7. Mathew was striking the ball well and the total crept closer after a brief partnership with his brother Luke and then with Goodin. It ended with Mathew hitting a ball sweetly to the deep and being caught well by Donaldson. Goodin was left to score a six off the last for victory but the bowling was too good and he was run out going for the second.

Many aspects to reflect on for the team – they have three home games in a row now and a chance to show what they can do on their own turf. They are certainly more than capable of beating all the teams they have played so far.

Player of the Match: Lewis Fergusson for a vital innings in the middle order to keep hopes alive and a good catch behind the stumps.

Langholm u15s 82 all out (18.2 overs)
Brady Wilson 30 rtd;
Sean Thornely 2 for 1, Luke McBurnie 2 for 10, Aiden Goodin 2 for 5
1 wicket - James Hobman, Max Corbett-Byers, Matthew McBurnie

Dumfries U15s 79 all out (20 overs)
Sean Thornely 16, Max Corbett-Byers 13, Lewis Fergusson 11, Matthew McBurnie 11
Jack Henderson 4 for 4

Online scorecard: http://dumfriescc.play-cricket.com/website/results/4011276