Carlton_Away

For the first time this season skipper Alastair Duncan lost the toss and was asked to field by Brent Lockie. The Carlton openers which included Lockie strode to the middle in confident mood. Largo started strongly with Mohammed Sharif and Chris Barclay bowling with good pace and bounce on a pitch which was a superb batting surface. The Carlton openers found one or two gaps in the field early on but the Largo fielding was of an exceptionally high standard particularly on an outfield which was quite bumpy and lightning fast. Duncan and the rest of the Largo side knew that bowling was going to be a tough shift on this wicket. Carlton had 43 on the board when Duncan introduced Safiyaan Sharif to the attack and the youngster carried on from where he left off last week, in his second over he removed the prized wicket of Lockie, LBW for 11 much to the jubilation of the Largo team. Shortly afterwards "Safi" produced a wonderful ball that removed the other opener Gibson, the ball swung very late and kissed the top of off stump much to the bemusement of the batsman, Carlton 86 for 2. The Carlton middle order started to up the ante a little making use of the decent wicket and runs were coming a little more freely for them. Largo stuck to their task well as the bowlers worked hard under the azure skies and tried to contain Carlton for a while rather than all out attack. The fielding was frustrating the home sides batsman and there were a few close calls for run outs as the Largo fielders attacked the ball hard and threw to the stumps and wicket keeper accurately. Carlton, although with plenty of batting still left found themselves with overs running out and were still only 124 for 2 when the next wicket fell, Patterson bowled for 39 by left arm spinner David Smith. Forrester was the one Carlton batsman that was looking dangerous has he carved a few sixes over the wall onto the road as Carlton looked to push themselves over 200, 250 easily being a par score on this wicket. Stuart Ritchie bowled his 10 overs straight through and was unlucky not to pick up any wickets as he consistanly bowled a good line. Mohammed Shrif was re-introduced to the attack and with his extra pace he accounted of the wicket of Forrester bowling him for 54. Carlton still had Barnes at the wicket and he started to open his shoulders and got up to 58 before being bowled by Bob Mowat going for one heave too many. Choudrey played a typical pinch hitters innings and with 10 overs left in their innings and with still batsman to come they, for the first time in the match frustrated the Largo team as they chanced their arm to good effect. Largo started to get slightly indisciplined as some umpiring decisions didn't go their way, the Carlton batsmen sensed this and Choudrey was onto any thing loose. Safiyaan and Mohammed Sharif couldn't find the break thorough nor could Chris Barclay and Carlton were on 245 when their last wicket fell in the 50th over, Evans stumped Duncan bowled Mowat for 10. A good competitive score had been set by Carlton who finished on 247 for 6 from their 50 overs and Largo needed 248 to win.

After the break openers Walker and Mohammed Sharif came to the wicket and both have been in impressive form with the bat of late. They started off at a brisk pace playing some imperious drives and cuts which Carlton captain Lockie tried to stem by changing his field placings with monotonous regularity which perhaps was designed to try and frustrate the pace in which Walker and Sharif had set. Largo were well ahead of the asking run rate as Lockie rung the bowling changes to try and break this impressive opening stand. Sharif reached his fifty first but was struggling with cramp, a few times having to stop and have his legs stretched, he was determined to stay and battled through the pain barrier. Walker at the other end was at his commanding best and he reached his fifty not too long afterwards. Eventually with the score on 141 Walker played a loose stroke to a full toss and was caught at mid off for 58. Usually the no.3 spot is Guy Robinson's but during the Largo innings he was stuck down by a bout of vomiting so Bob Mowat stepped in and was quickly into his stride. Sharif was looking well set as he was edging his way closer to his first century for Largo. With the score on 179 Mowat was caught in the deep after he had despatched a few balls to the boundary previously. Guy Robinson had recovered sufficiently to bat at no.4 after he had some TLC from his team mates and he looked like he hadn't been ill at all as he provided the perfect foil for Sharif as these two edged Largo closer to victory. Sharif eventually reached his century in the 39th over much to the delight of the Largo dressing room. Robinson hit the only six of the Largo innings as well was two fours in one over and instantly Carlton's heads went down as they looked like a defeated team. With the 44th over on the board Sharif hit the winning runs to make it a hatrick of wins for Largo. Sharif finished 115 not out and Guy Robinson 29 not out and Largo had won by 8 wickets. This was a big victory for the Fife men and again a superb team effort particularly in the field. The match was sponsored by Burnmill Joinery, Aberhill. Largo are at home to Haddington this week.