Galloway Cricket Club dig deep for hard-fought derby win in Dumfries

Galloway had to dig deep before sealing victory by nine runs in a hard-fought local derby in Dumfries on Saturday.

The win lifts Galloway two places to sixth in the league.

Nunholm opted to field first and for once the Galloway top order posted good partnerships throughout. After 30 overs they had scored 133-2. Having wickets in hand enabled them to add another 112 runs in the last 20.

It could have been a different story if the home team hadn’t had a wretched day in the field.

Their tally of dropped catches easily reached double figures. Both openers were missed at gully off Woodhouse, before Reynolds-Lewis bowled Neil McGrath for a stylish 18.

Nunholm skipper James Cox was hit for 22 in two overs by Anthony Hulatt, whose rapid cameo ended when bowled by Staples. Pat Druce joined Stevie Carr and the pair added 75 at a healthy rate, but a stumping opportunity and more catches were spurned.

Carr defended stoutly for an hour then accelerated to an excellent 50 from 82 balls, though was run out taking a risky second.

The momentum was maintained with excellent shot selection from skipper Ross Lamb and Druce, who put on another 37. It was a surprise when he was caught behind off Hassan, who Lamb had just slaughtered for two boundaries.

Although Sufyan Afzal was bowled second ball, Lamb reached a fluent 50 from 56 balls. After he was caught, Andy Naylor with five not out saw out the overs with Phil McMenemy, who presented (and survived) the easiest two chances of them all.

Due to Druce’s injury Galloway were short of a regular bowler, so they needed to bowl and field tightly on a good pitch. Without often looking like taking a wicket, they executed the plan superbly. Carr, Afzal, Hulatt and Lamb helped limit Nunholm to 100-0