‘The next game is a big one’ - Dornoch cricket club chair hails impact of youngsters after win over Northern Counties 2nd XI
The chairman of Dornoch cricket club heaped praise on the club’s emerging young talent following an impressive nine-wicket win over Northern Counties’ second string.
Speaking after the match at a weather-hit Meadows on Sunday, Matt Millward singled out the contributions of teenagers Hector Barlow and Archie Cameron, as well as debutant Hamza Shafiq, after a low-scoring clash that saw the Sutherland side dismiss their opponents for just 47 runs.
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“Young Hector bowled the best he has bowled, apart from a couple of wides,” Millward said. “Archie always seems to be coming to the party to get wickets at the end too.
“Everyone deserves a well done today. Northern Counties are genuinely one of the best teams in the league but we have great depth to the squad now. It is genuinely pleasing how many people are playing their part.
“I’d like to extend a massive congratulations today to Hamza on his debut and we are hopeful of more wickets to come in the next game.
“The next game is the big one. If we win it then there is a genuine chance to win the league.
“Although I will be away, I am sure everyone will try and make themselves available to get the strongest possible team out. One game at a time.”
With heavy skies overhead and a damp outfield, Dornoch opted to bowl first – and the decision paid off immediately.
16-year-old bowler Barlow set the home side off on a strong course as he trapped former Yorkshire CC youth player Lewis Pacey leg before wicket for zero.
Despite some resistance from Finlay Saunders and Neil Gallacher, Saunders fell for only four as Commander Romal Shah snaffled a catch from the bowling of Vince Greaves-Newell as Counties were reduced to 16-2.
When Paul Pacey went for one, clean bowled off debutant Hamza Shafiq and Gallacher was caught behind by Matthew Millward off Vishnumenon Mohan, the resistance seemed to falter in the visitors.
In the end, Northern Counties’ seconds were all out for 47, a total given an extra sheen of respectability by some 22 runs in extras given by wayward bowling by the Sutherland home side.
Colin Fraser took a stunning catch in the outfield as well as 2-7, Shafiq’s debut netted 3-8 and Mohan 2-6 as the quality of the bowling proved unstoppable.
Particularly pleasing for the future of Dornoch cricket was the over of 14-year-old Archie Cameron who finished his spell with 1-2.
Despite lengthy breaks for thunder and lightning, it was the blades of opening bats Shah and Khalid Baigh never looked in danger as they raced to a final total of 51 in only 10 overs, scoring an unbeaten 15 and 28 respectively.
