The league's decision during the week to award the points from the game at Greenock after Dumfries hit 231 there, only to have the match halted due to a home player's positive Covid test result, meant that the side were secure, just. However Saturday's hard fought match at Prestwick also had the outcome that the Doonhamers had secured enough points regardless with Alan Davidson the Solway Print Player of the Match for Dumfries for his all-round efforts.

In that low scoring contest in tricky conditions Dumfries totalled 98 with ex-Scotland spinner Haq claiming four wickets. After a start, a series of wickets fell together to have the visitors at 34 for 4. Opener Adam Malik then resisted well to top score with 24 and the lower order accumulated runs with Alan Davidson finishing 17 not out.

It was only a double figure score but Prestwick were soon in a similar position with Brockwell getting the dangerous Chaudhary cheaply and Davidson leading the way with 3 wickets for just 14 runs from his ten overs to leave Prestwick in a worse position of 35 for 5.

However one big hitting over put Prestwick on course with Patterson going on to make 39 not out. Number three Haq had also settled the situation but was discomforted by a rising delivery from James Hobman to play on for 31 as Prestwick ultimately finished victors by four wickets.

The final blow of the cricket season was hit by Nunholm as the Dumfries 2nd team won by three wickets at home against Prestwick 2nds, St Ninians. Young bowler Sean Thornely was the star of the show for Nunholm as St Ninians batted first. Their openers had put them in a strong position at seventy for no loss after thirteen overs. However Thornely came on to hit the stumps three times in two overs. Then a run out and another Thornely bowled had the visitors suddenly at 93 for 5.

The Prestwick side rallied with 56 from opener Morgan until bowled by an extremely economical David Davidson plus a valuable 44 by Phil Stafford. However Thornely returned to finish the innings in two balls to claim the season's best bowling figures for Nunholm of 6 wickets for 27 and dismiss St Ninians for 170 all out.

The Dumfries side got off to a solid start and then contributions from the middle order from Jerry Goodin and Andrew Dawson, both with 26, and the top score from Davie Davidson of 42 put the Nunholm side on course. However the batting hiccupped with three wickets falling on 146 with 25 still needed and now four wickets left, but Davidson and Thornely and then John Woodhouse saw the side home with Thornely, appropriately, hitting the final ball of the season for the winning boundary.

The Solway Print Award for Player of the Match was shared between youth and experience by Sean Thornely and David Davidson. (See article photo).

Dumfries Cricket Club can be contacted on dumfriescricketclub@gmail.com or on social media @dumfriescricket.