Historic first wicket for Dornoch cricketers in Development Cup opener
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History was made in the North of Scotland Development Cup this weekend as Matt Millward became the first Dornoch bowler to take a wicket in a competitive game for over 28 years.
The Sutherland combination, who reformed in 2022, played their opening match in the West Division on Sunday, losing by seven runs to Skye & Lochalsh at Nairn.
Despite the narrow defeat, the newly established side remain firmly focussed on growing their player numbers ahead of plans to join the North of Scotland league next summer.
“It was a great feeling to take the first wicket and help the team to a very close finish against a good Skye team,” Millward said. “There’s hopefully many more wickets to come.
“After a few years of setting up the club and making good progress with the juniors, its exciting to see the reformation of the adult team now.
“We have seen more people wanting to come along and join in so we’re hopeful of continued growth in numbers playing.
“Our ultimate goal is to join the league after this season in the Development Cup, and win some games of cricket by making it accessible to all people in the Sutherland area.”
Sunday’s task of beginning their cup campaign with a match against last year’s runners-up was to be no mean feat for the Dornoch men, as they would discover.
Put in to bat after Dornoch had won the toss, Skye & Lochalsh left their debutant opponents with a formidable hill to climb.
Dornoch native Cameron Hook and Phil Scott opened the bowling, with both players keeping things tight as they restricted Skye to 35 for 0 off 10 overs.
For the hosts, Angus Robins and Paul Curtis continued to accumulate, and both returned to the pavilion for 36 apiece unbeaten after compulsory retirement.
Tom Bentall, Skye’s number three, also retired unbeaten on 35 before the Sutherland club claimed their first competitive wicket in almost three decades.
Beating Steve Bloomfield for pace, Millward dismissed the number four for a mere seven runs.
This comprised the bulk of the total, with Elgar Finlay and Niall Maclean unbeaten on two each at the change of innings, at 145/1.
In response, Stuart Tode fell victim to Tom Bentall for zero but coming in at three, Hook partnered Romel Shah, and both players ended up retiring: Shah for 37 and Hook for 36 with seven fours and a six between them.
Dornoch captain Chris Schlater was caught by Robins, bowled by Tim Bentall for a duck.
Despite a good showing from Graham Ciderman, not out 32 at the close, Dornoch fell short, reaching 138 but out of balls.
Skye & Lochalsh - Angus Robins, Paul Curtis, Tom Bentall, Steve Bloomfield, Elgar Finlay, Niall Maclean, Simon Wallwork, Jason Bold, Phillip Kirkby, Andrew Robins, Tim Bentall
Dornoch - Stuart Tode, Romel Shah, Cameron Hook, Chris Schleter, Graham Ciderman, Matthew Millward, Phil Scott, Colin Fraser, Scott Matheson, Lewis Andrews, Kevin Woodward
Umpire - David Smith
Dornoch’s next Development Cup fixture is to be played on Sunday, May 5 at the Abbey Ground, away to Fort Augustus.
