Largo Promotion hopes still alive

Largo 1st XI were entertained by Fife rivals Falkland 2nd XI on Saturday up at the picturesque Scroggie Park.  The home side won the toss and put Largo into bat on what looked like a tricky surface for batting.  Openers Walker and Sharif started steadily but were ruthless on any loose balls that were bowled by the home side.  Largo were on 84 when Sharif was caught.  Then, as so often has happened this season, Walker was bowled soon after just as he looked settled. He had moved the score on past 100 and had completed his half century but got a delivery that kept low.  Then there was a mini collapse of sorts as Robinson, Asman, Mowat and Duncan were removed relatively quickly and Largo were 134 for 6 and Falkland had there tails up.  They really needed to win this game to avoid the drop as Largo were seeking to keep their promotion hunt on.  Up step Chris Barclay and Safyaan Sharif who got Largo out of their hole with some fantastic clean hitting and superb running between the wickets.  As this brilliant batting display continued the Falkland bowlers visibly looked rattled as fielding mistakes and frustration crept into their game.  Safyaan was eventually dismissed for 24 as Largo crept over the 200 mark.  Yousaf went for a big hit only to be caught just inside the boundary and Largo were 201 for 8.  Barclay who was batting like a man possessed had great support at the other end from Smith.  Barclay was hitting boundaries what seemed like every ball including a huge six straight over the bowlers head.  It was superbly entertaining stuff and at the end of the 50 overs Barclay had made sure Largo had posted a good total of 234 and at the same time recorded a personal best of 84 which he struck off only 49 balls and incredible performance.

 

In the second innings Falkland tried to come out of the blocks quickly and get after the two Sharifs but when the score was on 10 Sharif snr removed B.Watson LBW whilst the ever impressive "Safi" kept things tight at the other end bowling some unplayable deliveries.  The Falkland batsmen were never looking as though they were going to trouble the Largo total as some hung around without really threatening.  Barclay capped off a fine match for him by bowling a good 10 over spell including removing the dangerous Manson.  Cachia was the one Falkland batsmen who did look quite threatening as he tried to up the scoring rate for the home side so that they might have some kind of chance of being near the Largo score at the end but when he was removed, caught by keeper Duncan off the bowling of Smith for 43 all hopes had faded for them as "Safi" came back to clear up the Falkland tail in the gathering gloom, taking 4 very quick wickets to finish with figures of 4 for 14.  Falkland were eventually all out for 168 and their Fife rivals had consigned them to Division 3 cricket next season.  Largo on the other hand have given themselves a real chance of promotion to the East League's top division as other results went their way as both Carlton and Largo's nearest promotion rivals Freuchie 2nds lost.  This had been another good performance by Largo in a season that has seen everyone "come to the party" at some point, a real team effort.  The match was sponsored by Allan Moncrieff Alarms.  This week Largo are at home to SMRH.