Carlisle won the toss and elected to bat with a very strong opening pair. Peter Gower, like his namesake, had a good eye and was quick to dispatch loose deliveries from Sean Thornely and James Hobman, who both looked a bit tired after the weekend matches and were wicketless for quite a few runs. Gower retired on 30 and the score was already past 50 for 0 in 6 overs, as Orla Montgomery, also struggled to find line and length. Between them, Sean and Orla hit the stumps 9 times the previous day but it wasn’t until the bowling change of Aiden Gooden that the timbers were finally disturbed.

Aidan’s first ball dismissed the other opener as he charged down the wicket and keeper Lewis Fergusson whipped off the bails. Then, as so often happens, one wicket brings two and Orla pulled out a fast yorker which bowled the number 4. A quick bit of fielding from Aiden’s own bowling then ran out the dangerous Sawden for 20 and suddenly the score looked healthier at 78 for 3.

A collapse ensued with the remaining batsmen all out for 7,6,2,1,1,1,0 and the not out batsmen finishing on 3. Carlisle reduced to 104 all out after a double wicket maiden by Aiden and Luke McBurnie’s excellent three wickets and a catch off Aiden. James Hobman also took two good catches which showed that the hard work in this area is starting to pay off for the side. A run out off Max Corbett-Byers first ball of the spell sealed the innings. Extras, though, were the second highest score (22) due to the wayward line of the pace bowlers.

Carlisle started much better than Dumfries with pacy line and length, James Little and Fergus Bainbridge struggled to free their arms and after 6 overs the home side only had 15 on the board. This added to the pressure, as did the change bowlers who followed suit with relentless accuracy. It wasn’t long before this was converted into the wickets of Bainbridge, caught for 6 and Max Corbett-Byers, run out for 0 after a hesitant call. Sean Thornely and James Little toiled away but runs were hard to come by until James hit two fours, but tried to repeat this on the third ball and was bowled. That same over, James Hobman was caught and bowled and Dumfries were in real trouble at 20 for 3 after 13 overs.

The game was more or less over at this stage as wickets continued to fall in a quick collapse which was only halted by a brave rear-guard partnership of 20 runs between Katy Anderson and Aiden Goodin which occupied four overs. Aiden hit some lovely controlled shots into the gaps and was second top-scorer on 15 before being caught three balls from the end.

Player of the Match: Aiden Goodin for his all round performance. Not bad for the 12th man.

Next home match is Monday 24th v Langholm Under 15s

Carlisle U15s 104 all out (16.1 overs) P Gower 31 retd;  
Luke McBurnie 3 for 15, Aiden Goodin 3 for 24, Orla Montgomery 1 for 20
 Dumfries U15s 66 all out (19.2 overs) P Gower 3 for 16, J Stirling 3 for 14
 James Little 19, Aiden Goodin 15 

Online scorecard
dumfriescc.play-cricket.com/website/results/4011279