Dumfries firsts stay up in Premier

Your Move Dumfries retained their place in the Western Premier League last week and managed to do it twice over.

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 from Adam Malik and Scott Beveridge, a series of wickets fell together to have the visitors set back at 34 for 4. Malik then resisted well to top score with 24 and the lower order accumulated runs with Alan Davidson finishing 17 not out and Callum Reynolds-Lewis adding some useful rapid runs.

It was only a double figure score but Prestwick were soon in a similar position with Brockwell getting the dangerous opener Chaudhary cheaply and Davidson leading the way with 3 wickets for just 14 runs from his ten overs. Brockwell took another, again caught by Tom McBride, and Prestwick were languishing in a parlous position of 35 for 5 with the game in the balance.

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

The denouement of the league season placed Dumfries in eighth place just above the two relegated spots occupied by Poloc and Greenock. The league title itself was settled in the final over of a winner takes all match on the final day between home side Ferguslie, in second place, and Clydesdale in pole position. There a notable recovery and run chase by Clydesdale had them winning with two balls left to win by just one wicket chasing an impressive Ferguslie total of 248 all out.

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

Your Move Dumfries 98 all out (39 overs)
A Malik 24, A Davidson 17no; M Haq 4 for 9, R Alexander 3 for 22
Prestwick 99 for 6 (31.3 overs)
R Patterson 39no, M Haq 31, A Davidson 3 for 14, C Brockwell 2 for 39, J Hobman 1 for 15
Prestwick beat Your Move Dumfries by 4 wkts
Solway Print Dumfries Player of the Match: A Davidson

Photo: Alan Davidson was the Solway Print Player of the Match

Online scorecard: www.cricketstats.org.uk/wdcu/2021/1/0710.html